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Surface finisher - Marine Surface Finisher

Surface finisher - Marine Surface Finisher

Engineering and manufacturing

Level 3 - Technical Occupation

Surface finishing is a broad range of industrial processes that alter the surface of a manufactured item to achieve a certain property.

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Reference: OCC0963C

Status: assignment_turned_inApproved occupation

Average (median) salary: £26,799 per year

SOC 2020 code: 8143 Routine inspectors and testers

SOC 2020 sub unit groups:

  • 8143/00 Routine inspectors and testers

Technical Education Products

ST0963:

Surface finisher - Marine Surface Finisher

(Level 3)

Approved for delivery

Employers involved in creating the standard:

Pendennis Shipyard, Berthon Boat Company Ltd, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Sunseeker International Ltd, Harrods Aviation, RAS Completions, Toyota

Summary

This occupation is found in the engineering and manufacturing sector within the marine, aviation and automotive industries. Surface finishers may work for boat manufacturers, refit and repair boatyards, marinas, specialist marine companies, aerospace manufacturing, repair and restoration companies and automotive manufacturers including ‘supercar’ manufacturers and motorsport companies. These can be small, medium or large businesses. Surface finishers can undertake work on a variety of products including for example motorised cruisers, narrowboats, sailing boats, work boats, superyachts, high end vehicles, supercars, private jets and commercial aircraft. This is a core and options apprenticeship standard. Apprentices will be trained and assessed against the core and one option. There are three options: 1. Marine surface finisher 2. Aviation surface finisher 3. Automotive surface finisher

The broad purpose of the occupation is for surface finishers to prepare the wooden (hard and soft woods), metal (ferrous and non-ferrous) or composite (FRP, FRC) hulls, superstructures, chassis and components of boats, vehicles and aircrafts of varying complexity and size. They plan their work, set up equipment and apply coatings to the prepared surface using specialist techniques and products for example, spray, hand paint, varnish and French polish. They identify paint defects, take corrective action, carry out performance testing and quality assurance activities including the use of inspection equipment. They carry out maintenance activities on facilities and equipment and complete a wide range of documentation. The main differences between the three options are those relating to dimensional scale, volume of throughput, operational environment, materials (automotive uses water-based paints, marine uses a lot of varnishes and aerospace uses more complex substrates subject to regulatory oversight), technology, equipment and application technique.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with the immediate team such as production staff, quality assurance staff and specialist trades such as engineers, boat builders, riggers, carpenters, welders and electricians. They also liaise with other departments regularly, such as sales, health and safety, human resources, audit and training. Surface finishers may also have contact with external technical paint representatives, contractors, customers and suppliers. Surface finishers work in paint preparation workshops, finishing spray booths, tented areas, product interiors and other outside environments. These areas house a range of specialist tools and equipment, which could include a maintenance area, mixing area and adjoining workshops.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for ensuring the highest standards are met when preparing a product or coating to the appropriate final surface finish. They must ensure the safety of themselves and others and the environment ensuring they utilise Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), carry out occupational health surveillance and adhere to Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). They may work on their own or part of a team. They must work within budgets, timescales and quality standards to meet customer requirements.

Employers involved in creating the standard:

Pendennis Shipyard, Berthon Boat Company Ltd, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Sunseeker International Ltd, Harrods Aviation, RAS Completions, Toyota

eco

Mid Green occupation

Typical job titles include:

Aviation paint technician
Aviation woodwork/lacquer finisher
Detail paint finisher
Detail painter interior components
Marine coatings finisher
Marine French polisher
Marine painter
Marine sprayer
Marine surface finisher
Paint team member
Paint technician
Vehicle painter
Vehicle sprayer
Yacht finisher
Yacht painter

Keywords:

Construction
Industrial
Installation
Manufacturing
Repair
Service
Surface
Surface Finisher
Wooden

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)

K1: Characteristics and features of the surface finishing industry and the surface finisher’s role and placement within the industry, and who surface finishers interact with in order to perform their work operations.
K2: Communication techniques, their role and features, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each when communicating with different customers and stakeholders (internal and external). Organisational processes and procedures regarding communication channels, techniques and how communications and their outcomes are recorded and documented.
K3: Surface finishing terminology and its meaning. Uses of information technology relevant to surface finishing work operations.
K4: Problem-solving and testing techniques and methods used to resolve surface finishing problems relevant to their area of responsibility.
K5: Sourcing of materials and equipment, costing, pricing and budgeting principles and identifying and addressing discrepancies and quality issues.
K6: Organisational policies, processes and procedures for the design, planning and set up, and delivery of surface finishing activities including tools, materials, equipment and environment.
K7: Legislation, regulations, industry guidance, practices and procedures that direct health and safety and environmental sustainability at work and the importance of complying with control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH). Personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
K8: The requirement for personal responsibility and regular health surveillance and the importance of properly adhering to disposal of hazardous waste principals ensuring protection of the environment.
K9: Ways of ensuring quality of surface finishing processes and work products, including continuous business improvement techniques and how they are integrated into surface finishing work processes and procedures.
K10: Sources of information and guidance that directs surface finishing work operations, typically including drawings and technical specifications, where this information and guidance can be found and when and where it should be used.
K11: Mathematical techniques and calculations that underpin surface finishing work.
K12: Range and purpose of tools, materials and equipment used when setting up and when performing surface finishing operations, their characteristics, features, their safe use, movement and operation and the consequences of using inappropriate tools and techniques for the correct surface finish.
K13: The relationship between different substrates, materials and complex shapes.
K14: Importance of accurately completing surface finishing documentation and the information that needs to be recorded during different stages of surface finishing work operations.
K15: Importance of restoring the work area to a tidy and safe state on completion of surface finishing work operation and what this entails.
K16: Checks, tests and inspections undertaken before, during and after performing different surface finishing work operations, how these are undertaken and any remedial action required.
K17: The common types of defects (for example, sags, seeds, runs) and contamination effects found at inspection and their potential causes.
K18: Application principles and techniques for different surface finishing materials.
K19: Basic operational principles of surface finishing equipment and their servicing and maintenance requirements.
K20: Importance of customer service and customer service principles and techniques.
K21: Human factors and how they can affect an individual’s performance while carrying out maintenance and surface finishing activities.
K22: Work at height regulations and requirements for safe access and egress from a vessel such as engineering controls (handrails, guard rails, guard wires etc.) and PPE to be worn during the work at height activity and its care and correct use (e.g. harnesses and lanyards).
K23: Process and safety requirements for working in confined spaces.
K24: Regulations and requirements to setup work platforms, staging, towers and mobile elevated work platforms (MEWP) and training requirements to ensure safe use.
K25: Requirements of lifting operations and lifting equipment regulation (LOLER) in relation to MEWPs and harnesses.
K26: Working practices, hazards, associated risks and the emergency preparedness when carrying out work in an operational marine environment (including on or near the water) including the use of electrical power tools and requirements for PPE such as life jackets.
K27: Flexible work practice and how marine paint operations effect the workflow and schedule of other trades to accommodate work processes and COSHH requirements such as to meet product overcoating timeframes.
K28: Local restrictions in relation to work operations such as site of special scientific interest (SSSI) restrictions in harbours and rivers and consideration for environmental protection of watercourses.
K29: Products, techniques and various methods of applying coatings by hand such as roll and tip and hand varnishing.
K30: Products, techniques, requirements and various methods of polishing and finishing such as French polishing and gel coat finishing.
K31: Products, techniques and requirements for spraying large complex shapes, structures and components, including the need to maintain a wet edge whilst spraying. Team-based application methods such as multiple sprayers, pot men and spotters to safely spray hulls and large structures.

S1: Use communication and interpersonal techniques and terminology to aid interactions with colleagues, contractors, suppliers and others.
S2: Deliver appropriate customer service principles and techniques, in accordance with organisational policy and processes.
S3: Maintain the safety of self along with others by following safe systems of work and complying with all relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice and other relevant information and guidance.
S4: Consider sustainability and environmental impacts when planning and performing surface finishing work operations.
S5: Follow approved industry and manufacturer’s guidance and techniques, operational work methods, practices, processes, principles and procedures when undertaking different surface finishing work operations, within required time frames.
S6: Select, use, and store resources safely and correctly including tools, materials, equipment, machinery and consumables.
S7: Carry out the correct preparation techniques when working with a substrate.
S8: Follow quality improvement principles, techniques, and methods and identify any areas for improvement, consulting internally and externally as appropriate.
S9: Conduct required tests and checks when performing surface finishing work operations.
S10: Restore work area to a safe and tidy condition in accordance with organisational and legislative policy and procedures.
S11: Complete records and documentation relevant to surface finishing work operations, in accordance with requirements such as legislative or regulatory.
S12: Check and identify surface defects and contamination issues to company and industry standards, using appropriate and relevant documentation.
S13: Dispose of waste materials, in accordance with safe working and environmental practices and approved procedures.
S14: Carry out required rework using approved materials and techniques.
S15: Perform routine maintenance and servicing on relevant equipment.
S16: Deal with any problems that may present themselves within their own area of responsibility.
S17: Adhere to work at height regulations and requirements for safe access and egress from or around a vessel and utilise appropriate PPE when working at height ensuring pre-use checks, operation and maintenance activities are carried out correctly.
S18: Setup work platforms to requirements and current regulations including staging, towers and mobile elevated work platforms (MEWP) to ensure safe use.
S19: Carry out lifting operations in accordance with lifting operations and lifting equipment regulations (LOLER).
S20: Identify hazards and control their associated risks when working on or near the water, using techniques such as risk assessment. Use emergency preparedness procedures when carrying out work in an operational marine environment (including on or near the water).
S21: Adapt working practices to support marine paint operations which affect the workflow. Schedule work to accommodate other trades processes and COSHH requirements such as to meet product overcoating timeframes.
S22: Use products, techniques and various methods of applying coatings by hand such as roll and tip and hand varnishing.
S23: Use the correct products, techniques and various methods of polishing and finishing such as French polishing and gel coat finishing.
S24: Use products, techniques, methods and equipment for spraying complex shapes, structures and components such as maintaining a wet edge whilst spraying and team-based application methods (multiple sprayers, pot men and spotters to safely spray hulls and large structures).
S25: Set up spray facilities in accordance with the manufacturer’s product data sheets and differing temperature and humidity requirements when applying coatings to wooden, composite or metal vessels.
S26: Carry out masking and demasking of large or complex shapes, without causing surface finish defects during the demask process.

B1: Embrace a safety culture and situational awareness including being hazard and risk aware when working.
B2: Embrace an environmentally sustainable working culture, taking responsibility for the appropriate use of resources and own actions.
B3: Demonstrate commitment to quality, commercial awareness and continuous improvement.
B4: Focus on the requirements of the customer (internal and external), seeking to provide outstanding customer service, meeting customer requirements.
B5: Work individually and as part of a team, communicating at different levels to achieve positive work results.
B6: Treat everyone with respect and courtesy, valuing diversity.
B7: Motivated, meticulous, proactive and adaptable, with a focus on continuous personal development and knowledge sharing.
B8: Manage own time to complete work operations within the confines of job responsibility.
B9: Demonstrate due consideration of human factors in performing maintenance and surface finishing activities.

Duties

Duty D1

Produce solutions to meet design and customer requirements , including process design, equipment set up and safe systems of work (including personal protective equipment (PPE), respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH)), interacting with relevant teams as necessary.

Duty D2

Identify industry specifications and characteristics. Report issues impacting on quality and deadlines by interacting with customers, suppliers, technical support staff and other relevant personnel both internally and externally.

Duty D3

Prepare coatings and different surfaces for finishing. Set up and use specialist equipment to apply the final surface coating. For example using a static gun, taping, masking and blanking to a safe condition.

Duty D4

Set up and monitor the working environment in accordance with manufacturers data sheets in various specialist areas and settings. For example, temperature and humidity checks.

Duty D5

Ensure safe access and egress to and from the work area.

Duty D6

Identify and rectify surface defects using a range of equipment and techniques to troubleshoot as per customer requirements.

Duty D7

Apply protective surface coatings to protect the surface finish rectifying any issues throughout the process for example, polishes, waxes and nano technologies.

Duty D8

Carry out performance testing of the surface finish using inspection equipment and visual quality checks for example, wet film/dry film thickness testing, colour matching.

Duty D9

Ensure facilities (spray booths and equipment) are maintained and compliant with regulations for example local exhaust ventilation (LEV) testing.

Duty D10

Perform preventative maintenance on finishing equipment. Fault finding and rectifying any common issues to ensure a consistent level of quality.

Duty D11

Disassemble and store staging, return tools, unused materials and equipment to a clean, safe and reliable condition on completion of surface finishing work operations.

Duty D12

Undertake quality assurance of applied coatings to meet specification and customer requirements. Facilitate customer inspection and final sign off of finished product. On completion, ensure all masking and blanking is removed and areas are free of loose articles.

Duty D13

Complete documentation at the relevant stages of the surface finishing work operations and keep colleagues informed. For example, coating application records, data logger records.

Duty D14

Spray application of marine coatings to hulls, superstructures, interiors and components of boats monitoring and rectifying any issues throughout the process.

Duty D15

Apply marine coatings by hand to hulls, superstructures, interiors and components of boats using a range of techniques. For example, applying anti-foul coatings, applying gel coat or varnishing

Duty D16

Undertake polishing and finishing on marine components and structures using a range of techniques and equipment to achieve the required finish.

Duty D17

Set up mobile platforms and staging, working on or near the water adhering to all safety regulations and local requirements.

Occupational Progression

This occupational progression map shows technical occupations that have transferable knowledge and skills.

In this map, the focused occupation is highlighted in yellow. The arrows indicate where transferable knowledge and skills exist between two occupations. This map shows some of the strongest progression links between the focused occupation and other occupations.

It is anticipated that individuals would be required to undertake further learning or training to progress to and from occupations. To find out more about an occupation featured in the progression map, including the learning options available, click the occupation.

Progression decisions have been reached by comparing the knowledge and skills statements between occupational standards, combined with individualised learner movement data.

Technical Occupations

Levels 2-3

Higher Technical Occupations

Levels 4-5

Professional Occupations

Levels 6-7

Progression link into focused occupation.
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Level 2

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This is the focused occupation.
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Level 3

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Construction and the built environment

Engineering and manufacturing