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Unit Group

7313 Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators

OSCA - Occupation Standard Classification for Australia
Reference period
2024, Version 1.0

7313 Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators

Operate machinery to produce fibreglass and finished plastic and rubber products.

OSCA skill level

The occupations in this unit group have a skill level corresponding to the qualifications and experience below.

  • Skill Level 4: AQF Certificate II, AQF Certificate III, or at least one year of relevant experience
Occupation

731331 Plastics Fabricator or Welder

Operates machines to measure, cut, shape, fit and assemble plastics materials to produce plastic products.

Specialisation

  • Poly Welder

Skill level: 4

Main tasks

  • Reads blueprints, drawings and specifications to determine product requirements
  • Sets up and operates machines to measure, cut, shape, fit and assemble plastics materials
  • Cuts, trims and shapes plastics materials using hand tools
  • Fastens seams or joints together with welds or bonds to assemble components into products or to repair plastic items
  • Carries out butt and electrofusion welding of polyethylene plastic pipe works and components
  • Carries out routine quality checks on products, such as dimensional checks, clarity of colour, and impact resistance
  • Finishes off plastic parts, including sanding and polishing
Occupation

731332 Plastics Production Machine Operator

Operates extruding, cable making, compounding, reclamation, injection moulding and blow moulding machines to produce finished plastic products.

Specialisations

  • Blow Moulding Machine Operator
  • Extruding Machine Operator (Plastics)
  • Injection Moulding Machine Operator (Plastics)
  • Plastic Cablemaking Machine Operator
  • Plastic Compounding and Reclamation Machine Operator
  • Plastic Production Machine Setter

Skill level: 4

Main tasks

  • Sets up and prepares machines ready for plastics production
  • Sets injection moulding parameters to machinery, and places and aligns robots to prepare for robotic processes
  • Operates controls to regulate temperature, pressure, speed and flow of plastics operation
  • Measures and loads raw plastic materials, items and ingredients for mixing into machines and feeding mechanisms
  • Threads uncoated wire and cable through plastic coating machines, around take-up reels, and through dies and cooling chambers
  • Performs routine quality checks on products, such as dimensional checks, clarity of colour, and impact resistance
  • Examines output for defects and conformity to specifications
Occupation

731333 Reinforced Plastic and Composite Production Worker

Operates machines to apply gelcoat, colouring and fibre-reinforced plastic to moulds to produce fibreglass and laminated products.

Specialisation

  • Fibreglass Laminator

Skill level: 4

Main tasks

  • Sets up and prepares machines for reinforced plastics production
  • Checks all templates, moulds and cut-out patterns to be used in the manufacturing process to ensure that they conform to specifications
  • Applies gelcoat, colouring and fibre-reinforced plastic to moulds according to specifications
  • Monitors and adjusts machine settings to ensure proper application of materials
  • Ensures the correct applications of mixtures for effective setting of resins and gelcoats
  • Checks completed products for conformance to specifications and to identify any deficiencies
  • Repairs or modifies damaged or defective fibreglass parts to ensure they are fit for purpose
Occupation

731334 Rubber Production Machine Operator

Operates machines to manufacture rubber products.

Specialisations

  • Conveyor Belt Technician
  • Rubber Belt Splicer
  • Rubber Liner
  • Tyre Retreader

Skill level: 4

Main tasks

  • Monitors the functioning of rubber processing machinery producing products
  • Sets up and calibrates rubber processing machines based on the specific production requirements
  • Operates controls to regulate temperature, pressure, speed and flow of operation to achieve desired rubber quality
  • Measures and loads raw rubber materials, items and ingredients for mixing into machines and feeding mechanisms
  • Monitors operations, regulates material supply, and adds chemicals and colorants to mixture
  • Examines finished rubber products for defects and conformity to specifications
Occupation

731399 Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators nec

This occupation group covers Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators not elsewhere classified.

Skill level: 4

Occupations in this group include:

  • Foam Cutter
  • Guillotine Operator (Plastics)
  • Thermoforming Machine Operator