Prepare and mix earth materials for structures, plasters or renders
Overview
This standard is about preparing and mixing earth materials for structures, plasters or renders, interpreting information, adopting safe, healthy and environmentally responsible work practices, selecting and using materials, components, tools and equipment, in accordance with organisational requirements which are equal to or exceed current statutory and legislative requirements This standard is for people working in the occupational area of heritage skills and can be used by operatives, supervisors and managers
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
Interpretation of information
P1 interpret the information relating to the work and resources as relevant to geographical location and climatic conditions to confirm its relevance for the following:
• drawings
• specifications
• schedules
• method statements
• risk assessments
• manufacturers’ and suppliers’ information
• oral, written or electronic instructions
• current regulations, legislation, official guidance and permits
Safe work practices
P2 comply with the relevant, current legislation and official guidance to carry out the work and maintain safe and healthy work practices relating to the following:
• methods of work
• safe use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• safe use of access or lifting equipment
• safe use, storage and handling of materials, tools and equipment
• safe use of health and safety control equipment
• specific risks to occupational health and safety including mental health awareness
• specific risks associated with hazardous or asbestos containing materials
Selection of resources
P3 select the required quantity and quality of resources for the methods of work for:
• materials and components
• tools and equipment
Minimise the risk of damage
P4 comply with organisational procedures to minimise the risk of damage to the work and surrounding area by:
• taking relevant steps to protect the work and its surrounding area from accidental or unintended damage
• working with an awareness of the environment in liaison with other occupations
• maintaining a safe, clear and tidy work area
• disposing of waste in accordance with current legislation
Meet the contract specification
P5 comply with the contract information to carry out the work efficiently to the required specification by:
• demonstrating work skills to:
- extract
- measure
- sample
- grade
- test
- batch
- temper
- mix
- add
- knock up
- store
• using and maintaining hand and power tools and ancillary equipment:
- selecting and using the correct tools and machines for:
o extraction
o transport
o preparation
o mixing of materials
- cleaning, maintaining and storing mixers and other equipment
• sourcing, testing and processing raw materials for preparing earth materials for structures, plasters or renders:
- extract representative soil samples ensuring a continuous control of extraction
- carry out field tests
- make samples to determine appropriate mix for one of the following:
o mortar samples
o test walls
o cubes
o plasters
- assess the strength and suitability of the samples
- calculate the materials:
o quantities
o volumes
o proportions
- prepare the raw materials:
o dry
o grind
o sieve
o soften in water
o store
o transport
• producing the mix for earth materials for structures, plasters or renders:
- assess and choose the mixing technique
- mix to achieve even distribution of all materials
- monitor and control moisture content of the mix
- avoid disaggregation during transport and storage
- modify the composition of the mix:
o to task
o weather conditions
o equipment
Allocated time
P6 complete the work within the estimated, allocated time, taking account of climatic conditions, in accordance with organisational procedures, the programme of work and to meet the needs of other occupations and/or client
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
P1 Interpretation of information
K1 why organisational procedures have been developed and how they are implemented
K2 types of information, their source and how they are interpreted in relation to:
• drawings
• specifications
• schedules
• method statements
• risk assessments
• manufacturers’ and suppliers’ information
• contractual information
• current legislation, regulations, official guidance and permits including but not limited to listed buildings and scheduled monuments
• conservation reports and plans
• oral, written or electronic instructions
K3 the importance of organisational procedures to solve problems with the information, and why it is important to follow them
K4 information for relevant, current legislation, official guidance and site-specific requirements and how it is applied
P2 Safe work practices
K5 how emergencies should be responded to in accordance with organisational authorisation and personal skills in relation to:
• fires and the types of fire extinguishers and how and when they are used in relation to water, CO2, foam and powder
• spillages and injuries
• emergencies relating to occupational activities
• identification of and reporting of hazardous substances including but not limited to asbestos containing materials and lead carbonate
K6 the organisational and site-specific security procedures for tools, plant and equipment in relation to:
• site
• workplace
• vehicles
• company
• operatives
• clients
• the general public
K7 how to report risks and hazards identified by the following:
• methods of work
• risk assessments
• personal assessment
• manufacturers’ technical information
• statutory regulations
• official guidance
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
K8 the accident reporting procedures and who is responsible for making the report
K9 why, when and how health and safety control equipment identified by the principles of prevention should be used in relation to:
• collective protective measures
• personal protective equipment (PPE)
• respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
• local exhaust ventilation (LEV)
K10 how to comply with environmentally responsible work practices to meet current legislation and official guidance when dealing with potential accidents, health hazards and the environment whilst working in the workplace in relation to:
• below ground level
• confined spaces
• working at height
• tools, plant and equipment
• materials and substances
• moving and storing materials by manual handling and mechanical lifting
P3 Selection of resources
K11 why the characteristics, quality, uses, sustainability, suitability, limitations and defects associated with the resources are important and how defects should be reported
K12 why sustainable and ethical work practices and materials should be adopted
K13 the organisational procedures to select resources, why they have been developed and how they are used K14 how to confirm the resources and materials conform with the specification
K15 how the resources should be sourced, selected, used and how any problems associated with the resources are reported in relation to:
• clay, earth (sub-soil), chalk, marle, loam, natural fibres, aggregates, additives, pigments, lime
• fittings and fixings
• hand and power tools, plant, machinery and ancillary equipment
• digital equipment
K16 how to identify and report the hazards associated with the resources and methods of work and how they are managed with reference to method statements and risk assessments
K17 methods of calculating the quantity, length, area and wastage associated with the method and procedure to prepare and mix earth materials for structures, plasters or renders
P4 Minimise the risk of damage
K18 how to protect work and its surrounding area from damage and the purpose of protection from general workplace activities, other operations and adverse weather conditions and how to minimise damage
K19 how to, and the importance of, carrying out the safe disposal of waste in accordance with the following:
• environmental responsibilities
• organisational procedures
• manufacturers’ information
• suppliers’ information
• statutory regulations
• official guidance
K20 why it is important to maintain a safe, clear and tidy work area
P5 Meet the contract specification
K21 how the methods of work to meet the specification are carried out, and how problems are identified and reported, by the application of knowledge for safe, healthy and environmental work practices, procedures and skills, relating to:
• how to:
- extract
- measure
- sample
- grade
- test
- batch
- temper
- mix
- add
- knock up
- store
• why it is necessary to:
- extract
- measure
- sample
- grade
- test
- batch
- temper
- mix
- add
- knock up
- store
• the methods for ensuring mix proportions:
- samples
- test walls
• how to make samples to determine appropriate mix to include:
- mortar samples
- test walls
- cubes
- plasters
• why it is important to make samples to determine appropriate mix to include:
- mortar samples
- test walls
- cubes
- plasters
• regional sources of information about raw materials:
- using soil maps
- existing buildings
- site investigation
- reports
- landscape observation
- local knowledge
• how to source, test and process non-manufactured raw materials for preparing earth materials for structures, plasters and renders
• why it is necessary to source, test and process non-manufactured raw materials identifying implications for sustainability and costs
• why it is necessary to extract representative soil samples
• what constitutes a representative soil sample
• how to ensure a continuous control of extraction
• why it is necessary to ensure a continuous control of extraction
• how to carry out field tests for earth and assess the results
• laboratory identification tests for earth relevant to the work being carried out
• how to test the strength and suitability of samples:
- field
- laboratory
• why it is important to assess the strength and suitability of the samples
• how to calculate earth materials for structures, plasters and renders to include:
- quantities
- volumes
- proportions
• why it is important to calculate earth materials for structures, plasters and renders:
- quantities
- volumes
- proportions
• the methods used to prepare the raw materials:
- dry
- grind
- sieve
- soften in water
- store
- transport
• the methods required to assess and choose mixing techniques
• the extraction process to ensure an homogenous uncontaminated mix
• how to monitor and control the moisture content of the mix
• why it is necessary to monitor and control the moisture content of the mix
• why it is important to avoid disaggregation during transport and storage
• the methods to be able to modify the composition of the mix according to:
- task
- weather conditions
- equipment
• the legal and environmental controls of earth extraction
• the constituents and properties of earth:
- cohesion
- grain size distribution
- plasticity
- optimum moisture content (OMC)
- colour
• the different clay minerals and their properties
• mix composition:
- particle size distribution
- cohesion
• finished wall or plaster:
- techniques
- strengths
- durability
- surfaces
• the relationship between mix composition and finished wall or plaster
• the principles of stabilisation:
- physical
- chemical
• the role of the fibres in earth structure
• how and when to use manufactured products
• the effects of order and timing on:
- extraction
- storage
- mixing
• the effects of storage conditions on raw materials and mix:
- weather
- moisture content
- workability
- fibre degradation
• mixing techniques:
- manual
- mechanical
• how to measure and sample earth materials for structures, plasters and renders
• why well-ventilated indoor spaces are essential when working with earth materials, plasters and renders
• why it is important to use healthy and sustainable materials and methods
• why it is important to recognise and determine when specialist skills and knowledge are required and report accordingly
• the relevance of an assessment of significance
• why it is necessary to determine specific requirements for:
- structures of special interest
- traditional build (pre-1919)
- historical significance
• how to use all hand and power tools, ancillary equipment and machinery for:
- extraction
- transport
- preparation
- mixing of materials
• how and why operative care and maintenance of all hand and power tools and ancillary equipment is carried out
• how to work at height using access equipment
• how to work with, around and in close proximity to plant and machinery
K22 the organisational procedures with respect to site behaviours, and recognise and action fairness, inclusion and respect within the working environment, and how to address and report inappropriate site behaviours K23 the importance of methods of work, interpersonal relations and communication and the needs of other occupations associated with preparing and mixing earth materials for structures, plasters or renders
P6 Allocated time
K24 the programme of work to be carried out including the estimated and allocated time, and why deadlines should be kept or reported if likely to be missed
K25 the types of progress charts, timetables and estimated times and the organisational procedures for reporting circumstances which will affect the work programme