Product test footwear and leathergoods
Overview
This standard is about product testing footwear and leathergoods to determine their suitability for use. This includes testing for colourfastness, chemical testing, physical testing, tensile testing, flex testing and abrasion testing This will take place in a laboratory.
This standard includes determining appropriate tests, selecting tools and equipment, carrying out tests in controlled environments, analysing, interpreting and recording test results, identifying areas of non-conformance or variation, writing detailed reports on findings, and give feedback to technicians and others.
This standard is for laboratory technicians who test the physical performance characteristics of materials used in footwear and leathergoods
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- make sure the work area is free from hazards at all times
- determine appropriate tests to carry out on materials
- select appropriate equipment and tools for testing processes
- check that test environments meet requirements for testing processes
- ensure there are no foreign bodies within products being tested
- carry out testing to methods prescribed by organisation and manufacturers
- carry out all tests in controlled environments
- carry out appropriate simulation processes to determine how products act with age
- analyse and interpret results within appropriate parameters
- record test results in appropriate recording systems
- produce reports in sufficient detail to explain results and highlighting any areas of variation or non-conformance
- report feedback from testing to sample technicians and other interested parties
- comply with written instructions relating to product tests at all times
- complete required forms, records and other documentation
- work to legal requirements, standards and regulations, policies, procedures and professional codes
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- general testing principles and standard test methods including those for colourfastness, chemical testing, physical testing, tensile testing, flex testing and abrasion testing
- specialist properties of materials used in production
- key tests to carry out for a range of materials and components including those for banned and resistant substances
- the impact that foreign bodies can have on testing and how to identify and remove them including broken needles, blades, tacks, metal content
- test control methods
- which materials to test and how
- statistical variation
- testing conditions required
- the organisation's approach and policy on ethical trading and social accountability
- statutory responsibilities under health and safety and environmental legislation and regulations
- the organisation's policies about ethical production and sustainability
- the effects of wastage on operations and sustainability
- common hazards in the work area and workplace procedures for dealing with them
- the organisation's rules, codes, guidelines and standards
- equipment operating procedures
- manufacturers' instructions for tools, equipment and substances related to testing
- product safety and labelling directives
- the use of banned and restricted substances
- who to liaise with, and when and how to communicate with them