Annealing Operator

The Annealing Operator will be able to: • Tend to an automatic or semi-automatic lehr that anneals glass or glassware to relieve internal stress. • Observe gauges and control the exhaust fans. • Initiate heat input, and regulate lehr temperatures as well as the speed of lehr conveyors and draft rates. • Observe annealed glass for splits, cracks, breaks and colour that indicate improper lehr settings. • Load or unload glass entering or leaving the lehr by hoisting flat glass with a vacuum-cupped crane and manually placing or removing glassware from the lehr conveyor or conveyor system. • Maintain records of glass annealed and packed.

The Occupational Certificate: Glass Forming Operator is for people working in glass forming. The qualification reflects the common knowledge, practical and workplace-based specific needs that learners require in glass forming production before progressing to learning at a higher level. Typical learners are operating personnel working in a glass forming production environment. The glass industry is well established in South Africa and its success is dependent on the efficient production and manufacturing of glass products. Achievement of this objective is largely dependent on the competence of the people who operate glass forming equipment. An adequate number of people with these skills is needed to ensure that the production units in South Africa operate productively. Competence in glass forming production requires appropriate general and glass specific knowledge, as well as the practical application of the knowledge. Expertise in operating production equipment and controlling the forming process are further requirements for competence. The knowledge, practical and workplace expertise can form a basis for further learning, particularly in the production/operational, engineering and supervisory aspects of glass production and similar industries in the chemical and other manufacturing sectors.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of results or certifying a work experience record. RPL for Access to the Qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirements are: • NQF Level 1 with Communications and Mathematical Literacy.

• Conduct start-and end-of-shift procedures and perform operational checks, identify non-conforming items and assess potential risks using knowledge of equipment specifications and operational standards.
• Operate, monitor and control the annealing operations; perform assigned tasks and respond to changing conditions to meet production targets.
• Identify operational and environmental hazards, assess risks and eliminate, control, minimise and report such hazards while meeting production and output requirements.