Polisher and Cleaner

SECTOR: GEMS & JEWELLERY
SUB-SECTOR: Handmade Gold and Gems-Set Jewellery
OCCUPATION: Polishing and Cleaning
REFERENCE ID: G&J/Q0701
ALIGNED TO: NCO-2004/7313.28
Polisher and Cleaner: Also called ‘Polishing Goldsmith’, ‘Artisan’ or ‘Benchworker’, the Polisher-cum-cleaner provides final finish to the jewellery frame
along with its components and cleans it thoroughly in order to prepare for
gemstone setting or embellishing.
Brief Job Description: This individual at work finishes the jewellery frame and
cleans it thoroughly in order to give the base frame the look that the design
requires. Polishing is done at multiple stages of jewellery making with different
types of materials or abrasives. Cleaning is also done at multiple stages of
jewellery making using different types of techniques as applicable.
Personal Attributes: The job requires the individual to have: integrity;
attention to details; good eyesight; steady hands; ability to work in a process
driven team for long hours in sitting position; a lot of patience; and creativity.
The individual must be able to avoid errors and hazards when dealing with
sharp tools, high-speed rotating machines and chemicals.

Unit Code G&J/N0701
Unit Title
(Task) Polish and clean the completed jewellery frame and components
Description This OS unit is about finishing the completed frame and/or components to make it
ready for and gems-setting and embellishing or for the subsequent processes
Scope This unit/ task covers the following:
Polish the completed frame
Use magnetic tumbler to shine the jewellery and remove grease, grime or any
deposits from jewellery
For complex pieces, which cannot be cleaned mechanically, use brass brush
understand design requirements for portions to be polished and the finish to be
achieved such as matt, shiny, smooth
use high speed motor buffing with different types of buffs with rubbing compound
to remove filing defects
understand utility of different types of buffs such as metal, cloth, leather, wool,
wood
understand utility of different types of polishing compounds
apply rouge to achieve gloss finish or colour
use vacuum bench polishing to avoid inhaling dust
Clean the polished frame and/or component and dry
use magnetic tumbler to shine the jewellery
use ultrasonic cleaner with water and sodium bicarbonate to remove rubbing
compound
wash with normal or salt water for removing any residues
dry at room temperature or using ovens/ centrifuge as per process required for
type of jewellery
Control gold loss
collect gold dispersed during the day (dust and fragments)
tally account as per allowed standards for the design
conduct regular and controlled environment cleaning for collection
Detect product defects
inform supervisor if product has arrived with defect
understand the type of defect and send to relevant goldsmith for rework
Check quality
check polished frame visually in order to detect defects such as impurities, grease,
marks, uneven finish and rough edges
check weight and dimensions as per design
re-polish product returned from QC
Improve productivity
improve speed of polishing while maintaining design quality and gold loss
standards

Performance Criteria
Polishing and
cleaning
To be competent, the user/individual on the job must be able to:
PC1. achieve finish as per design requirement with minimum gold loss and damage
PC2. avoid accidents while buffing and using acids for cleaning.
Controlling gold loss To be competent, the user/individual on the job must be able to:
PC3. maintain precious-metal loss as per company’s loss margin policy
PC4. conduct regular dust cleaning process and methodology as prescribed by
company
PC5. Maintain accounts and related documentation
Productivity To be competent, the user/individual on the job must be able to:
PC6. make timely delivery to next process
PC7. polish number of frames and components as per target deliverable and of
design quality
Quality of output To be competent, the user/individual on the job must be able to:
PC8. deliver defect free and evenly finished jewellery
PC9. achieve minimum damage after polishing and cleaning process
PC10. deliver maximum number of QC-okayed frame or component
Problems handling To be competent, the user/individual on the job must be able to:
PC11. deliver complete product on time by reporting problems faced or anticipated
well in advance
Knowledge and Understanding (K)
A. Organizational
Context
(Knowledge of the
company /
organization and
its processes)
The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
KA1. company’s policies on: acceptable limits of precious metal loss per product
type, incentives, delivery standards, safety and hazards, security, IPR, and
personnel management
KA2. work flow involved in jewellery manufacturing process of the company
KA3. importance of the individual’s role in the workflow
KA4. reporting structure
KA5. typical customer profile and market trends
B. Technical
Knowledge
The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
KB1. jewellery making process and types of jewellery
KB2. uses of different types of buffs for different types of polish to be achieved
KB3. overheating during buffing
KB4. gemstone-setting, enamelling and plating process and their respective
polishing and cleaning requirements
KB5. different types of cleaning techniques such as magnetic tumbling, ultrasonic
cleaning, cyanide bombing, pickling cleaning and electro-cleaning
KB6. potential work hazards while using high speed rotating machines and
chemicals

The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how:
SA1. to read notes and put notes on design
SA2. to use technology such as computer for visual aid and improving efficiency
Calculation and geometry skills
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how:
SA3. to assess gold loss at each step of jewellery making so as to deliver product of
correct weight and size
SA4. to translate finish and symmetry of design into ornament
Teamwork and some multitasking
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how:
SA5. to share work load as required
SA6. to deliver frame to next work process on time
B. Professional Skills Reading design
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand:
SB1. how to read design in order to convert design into frame as per finish required
SB2. how to spot difficulties with respect to practicality of design
Using tools and machines
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how:
SB3. to use the right buff for achieving the finish as per design
SB4. to use the appropriate cleaning method, chemicals and machines for the stage
of cleaning
SB5. to understand safety procedures and hazards involved in polishing and cleaning
SB6. to maintain tools and buffs
Buffing and cleaning technique
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how:
SB7. to avoid overheating of product
SB8. to avoid damage through chemicals
Reducing precious metal loss
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand:
SB9. prescribed precious metal loss for the entire jewellery piece
SB10. Precious-metal loss limit applicable for polishing and cleaning
SB11. how to reduce precious metal loss below the prescribed standards
SB12. how to follow company’s policies on collecting gold dust and fragments
SB13. how to account in job sheet and return
SB14. how to suggest improvements in order to reduce precious metal loss limits
Reflective thinking
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how:

SB15. to improve work processes
SB16. to work with correct posture in sitting position
SB17. to organise tools for ease of use
Critical thinking
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how:
SB18. to spot process disruptions and delays

it Code G&J/N9910
Unit Title
(Task) Respect IPR of company as well as competitors
Description This OS unit is about maintaining company’s IPR and avoiding infringement on
copyright of others
Scope This unit/task covers the following:
Protect company’s Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
Prevent leak of new designs to competitors by reporting on time
Be aware of any of company’s product or design patents
Report IPR violations observed in the market, to supervisor or company heads
Avoid infringement to copyright of other companies
Read copyright clause of the material published on the internet and any other
printed material
Consult supervisor or senior management when in doubt about using publicly
available information
Report any infringement observed in the company
Performance Criteria(PC) w.r.t. the Scope
Element Performance Criteria
Respecting IPR To be competent, the user/individual on the job must be able to:
PC1. spot plagiarism and report
PC2. understand rationale of patents and IPR
PC3. avoid being involved in IPR violations
Knowledge and Understanding (K)
A. Organizational
Context
The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
KA1. company’s policies on IPR, plagiarism and order leaks
KA2. company’s patented products
KA3. market trends and company’s unique product range
KA4. reporting structure
B. Technical
Knowledge
The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
KB1. basics of patents and IPR laws
KB2. how IPR protection is important for competitiveness of a company
Skills (S) [Optional]
A. Core Skills/
Generic Skills
Communication skills
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how:
SA1. to effectively communicate any observed IPR violations or design leaks
B. Professional Skills Decision making
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand when and how:
SB1. to report sources of IPR violations

The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how:
SB2. to learn from past mistakes and report IPR violations on time
Critical thinking
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how:
SB3. to spot signs of violations and alert authorities in time

Unit Code G&J/N9912
Unit Title
(Task) Coordinate with co-workers
Description This OS unit is about communicating with colleagues and seniors in order to maintain
smooth ad hazards free work flow
Scope This unit/task covers the following:
Interact with supervisor to:
receive work instructions and raw materials from reporting supervisor
communicate to reporting supervisor about process flow improvements, product
defects received from previous process, repairs and maintenance of tools and
machinery as required
communicate any potential hazards or expected process disruptions
handover completed work to supervisor
Interact with colleagues within and outside the department to:
work as a team with colleagues and share work as per their or own work load and
skills
work with colleagues of other departments such as frame making or component
making or polishing or setting or stores
communicate an discuss work flow related difficulties in order to find solutions
with mutual agreement
receive feedback from QC and rework in order to complete work on time

To be competent, the user/individual on the job must be able to:
PC1. understand the work output requirements
PC2. comply with company policy and rule
PC3. deliver quality work on time as required by reporting any anticipated reasons
for delays
Interactions with
colleagues and other
departments
To be competent, the user/individual on the job must be able to:
PC4. put team over individual goals
PC5. resolve conflicts and multi-task
Knowledge and Understanding (K)
A. Organizational
Context
(Knowledge of the
company /
organization and
its processes)
The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
KA1. company’s policies on personnel management
KA2. work flow involved in company’s jewellery manufacturing process
KA3. importance of the individual’s role in the workflow
KA4. reporting structure

The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
KB1. how to communicate effectively
KB2. how to build team coordination
Skills (S) [Optional]
A. Core Skills/
Generic Skills
Teamwork and some multitasking
The individual on the job needs to know and understand how:
SA1. to share work load as required
SA2. to deliver product to next work process on time
B. Professional Skills Decision making
The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
SB1. how to report potential areas of disruptions to work process
SB2. when to report to supervisor and when to deal with a colleague depending on
the type of concern
Reflective thinking
The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
SB5. how to improve work process
Critical thinking
The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
SB6. how to spot process disruptions and delays

Unit Code G&J/N9914
Unit Title
(Task) Work towards having a safe work environment
Description This OS unit is about being aware of and communicating potential hazards and
dangers of accidents on the job
Scope This unit/task covers the following:
Understand potential sources of accidents
to avoid accidents related to use of potentially dangerous chemicals, gas torches,
sharp tools and hazards from machines
Communicate to reporting supervisor about:
process flow improvements to reduce anticipated or repetitive hazards
mishandling of tools, machines or hazardous materials
electrical problems that could result in accident

To be competent, the user/individual on the job must be able to:
PC1. spot and report potential hazards on time
PC2. follow company policy and rules regarding hazardous materials
PC3. deliver quality work on time as required by reporting any anticipated reasons
for delays
Knowledge and Understanding (K)
A. Organizational
Context
(Knowledge of the
company /
organization and
its processes)
The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
KA1. company’s policies on handling: harmful chemicals and sharp tools, safety and
hazards of machines, fire safety and, disposal of harmful chemicals and
materials
KA2. work flow involved in company’s jewellery manufacturing process
KA3. importance of the individual’s role in the workflow
KA4. reporting structure
B. Technical
Knowledge
The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
KB1. how different chemicals react and what could be the danger from them
KB2. how to use machines and tools without causing bodily harm
KB3. fire safety education
KB4. disposal of hazardous chemicals, tools and materials by following prescribed
environmental norms or as per company policy
Skills (S) [Optional]
A. Core Skills/
Generic Skills
Communication skills
The individual on the job needs to know and understand how:
SA1. to effectively communicate the danger

s Decision making
The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
SB1. importance of reporting potential sources of danger
SB2. appropriate actions to be taken in the event of an accident
SB3. process for disposing of hazardous materials, safely and following
environmental guidelines
Reflective thinking
The individual on the job needs to know and understand how:
SB4. to learn from past mistakes regarding use of hazardous machines or
chemicals or gas torches
Critical thinking
The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
SB5. how to spot danger
SB6. procedures to follow in the event of a fire or other hazard

Keywords /Terms Description
Sector Sector is a conglomeration of different business operations having similar
business and interests. It may also be defined as a distinct subset of the
economy whose components share similar characteristics and interests.
Sub-sector Sub-sector is derived from a further breakdown based on the
characteristics and interests of its components.
Occupation Occupation is a set of job roles, which perform similar/ related set of
functions in an industry.
Function Function is an activity necessary for achieving the key purpose of the
sector, occupation, or an area of work, which can be carried out by a
person or a group of persons. Functions are identified through functional
analysis and form the basis of OS.
Sub-function Sub-functions are sub-activities essential to fulfil the achieving the
objectives of the function.
Job role Job role defines a unique set of functions that together form a unique
employment opportunity in an organisation.
Occupational Standards
(OS)
OS specify the standards of performance an individual must achieve
when carrying out a function in the workplace, together with the
knowledge and understanding they need to meet that standard
consistently. Occupational Standards are applicable both in the Indian
and global contexts.
Performance Criteria Performance criteria are statements that together specify the standard of
performance required when carrying out a task.
National Occupational
Standards (OS)
NOS are occupational standards which apply uniquely in the Indian
context.
Qualifications Pack (QP) QP comprises the set of OS, together with the educational, training and
other criteria required to perform a job role. A QP is assigned a unique
qualifications pack code.
Unit Code Unit code is a unique identifier for an Occupational Standard, which is
denoted by an ‘N’
Unit Title Unit title gives a clear overall statement about what the incumbent
should be able to do.
Description Description gives a short summary of the unit content. This would be
helpful to anyone searching on a database to verify that this is the
appropriate OS they are looking for.
Scope Scope is a set of statements specifying the range of variables that an
individual may have to deal with in carrying out the function which have
a critical impact on quality of performance required.
Knowledge and
Understanding
Knowledge and understanding are statements which together specify the
technical, generic, professional and organisational specific knowledge
that an individual needs in order to perform to the required standard.
Organisational Context Organisational context includes the way the organisation is structured
and how it operates, including the extent of operative knowledge
managers have of their relevant areas of responsibility.
Technical Knowledge Technical knowledge is the specific knowledge needed to accomplish

specific designated responsibilities.
Core Skills/ Generic
Skills
Core skills or generic skills are a group of skills that are the key to learning
and working in today’s world. These skills are typically needed in any
work environment in today’s world. These skills are typically needed in
any work environment. In the context of the OS, these include
communication related skills that are applicable to most job roles.
Keywords /Terms Description
IPR Intellectual Property Rights
NOS National Occupational Standard(s)
NVQF National Vocational Qualifications Framework
NSQF National Qualifications Framework
NVEQF National Vocational Education Qualifications Framework
QP Qualifications Pack

CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT OF TRAINEES

Job Role Polisher & Cleaner
Qualification Pack G&J/Q0701
Sector Skill Council Gem & Jewellery
Guidelines for Assessment

1. Criteria for assessment for each Qualification Pack will be created by the Sector Skill Council. Each
   Performance Criteria (PC) will be assigned marks proportional to its importance in NOS. SSC will also lay
   down proportion of marks for Theory and Skills Practical for each PC.
2. The assessment for the theory part will be based on knowledge bank of questions created by the SSC.
3. Individual assessment agencies will create theory question papers for candidates at every
   examination/training centre. (as per assessment criteria below)
4. Individual assessment agencies will create practical tests for skill evaluation for candidates at every
   examination/training centre. (as per assessment criteria below)
5. To pass the Qualification Pack, every candidate should score a minimum of 50% in theory and 70% in
   practical to successfully clear the assessment.
6. In case of successfully passing only certain number of NOS’s, the candidate is eligible to take subsequent
   assessment on the balance NOS’s to pass the Qualification Pack.