Applying signature reduction coverings

This standard identifies the competences you need to apply signature reduction coverings, such as acoustic tiles, radar absorbent sheet (RASH) and radar absorbent material (RAM), in accordance with approved procedures.  You will be required to access the appropriate contractual and other specifications, to check that these are of the latest issue and to extract all necessary information in order to carry out the application of the signature reduction coverings.  You will be required to check that all surfaces to which coverings are to be applied have been prepared in accordance with the process specification and that any necessary exclusion, protection and ventilation requirements are implemented.  You will be expected to select the appropriate and/or specified tools and equipment and to ensure that they are in a safe and usable condition. 

Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the signature reduction covering activities undertaken and to report any problems with these activities that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people.  You will be expected to work with a minimum of supervision, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.* *   

Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of your work and will provide an informed approach to the application of marine signature reduction coverings.  You will understand the signature reduction covering procedures and techniques used and their application.  You will know about the substrates, their preparation requirements, signature reduction covering materials and their preparation requirements, in sufficient depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities, correcting faults and for ensuring that the signature reduction coverings are to the required standards and to the customer's expectations. 

You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the signature reduction covering operations.  You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and to others in the workplace

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1. work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines

2. ensure the material surfaces to be treated are suitably prepared for the finishing operations to be carried out

3. check that the finishing equipment and coatings are set up and maintained at satisfactory operating conditions and levels
4. carry out the treatment process in accordance with operating procedures and the component specification requirements
5. ensure that the treated workpiece achieves the required characteristics and meets the finishing specification
6. deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
7. dispose of waste and excess materials in line with agreed organisational procedures
8. shut down the finishing equipment to a safe condition on completion of the processing activities
9. complete relevant documentation in line with organisational
   procedures

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1. the safe working practices and procedures to be observed when working with marine signature reduction materials and adhesives (such as general workshop and site safety; appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), protecting other workers from the effects of the work, safety in enclosed/confined spaces, atmospheric controls)
2. how to recognise and deal with emergencies and the procedures to be followed (such as methods of safely evacuating and closing down of compartments in the case of fire or other major incident, first aid, fire fighting and resuscitation of personnel)
3. statutory requirements, risk assessment procedures and relevant requirements of HASAWA and COSHH, (to include Approved Codes of Practice (ACOP), The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, The Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations, the Confined Space Regulations, The Special Waste Regulations)
4. the hazards associated with the preparation, use and disposal of signature reduction materials and adhesives (including the information to be found in manufacturers' data sheets and in Chemical Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply (CHIPS) data sheets)
5. the requirements for working in confined spaces and the importance of emergency procedures and safe systems of work (including permits to work, Required Air Quantities (RAQs) and local exhaust ventilation (LEV)) to maintain safe conditions; the provision of adequate and safe lighting and avoidance of sources of ignition
6. how the usage of particular materials (such as adhesives) can result in a compartment (such as a tented enclosure) becoming a confined space
7. the personal protective equipment (PPE) to be worn during the covering activity
8. the characteristics of and applications for, signature reduction coverings, the use of manufacturers' data sheets and requirements for the application of particular products in order to comply with the contractual specifications 
9. how to carry out currency/issue checks of the specifications you are working with 
10. the preparation and use of the adhesives used to apply the coverings and the importance of shelf life
11. the need to ensure that the substrates have been correctly prepared for the coverings to be applied and the adhesives to be used
12. the techniques required for applying particular signature reduction materials
13. the requirement to grout acoustic tiles 
14. the importance of appropriate environmental conditions for the application of particular products and for the curing of the adhesives used
15. the quality control requirements and techniques to be observed
16. the identification of faults in application, their causes and their correction
17. the safe and appropriate disposal of waste materials
18. the extent of your own responsibility and whom you should report to if you have problems that you cannot resolve

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Behaviours:

You will be able to apply the appropriate behaviours required in the workplace to meet the job profile and overall company objectives, such as:

• strong work ethic
• positive attitude
• team player
• dependability
• responsibility
• honesty
• integrity
• motivation
• commitment

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3

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29 Apr 2021

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Current

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Original

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Semta

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SEMME3190

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Marine Engineering Trades

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5235

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Engineering; marine; apply; signature reduction; coverings; acoustic tiles; RASH; RAM; weapons systems; weatherwork

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