Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 12:14 AM AWST
23/07/2026 12:14 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Clean using pressure washing
Clean using pressure washing
Unit of competency
National Code
CPPCLO3020A
CPPCLO3020A
State Code
WC112
WC112
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
19/06/2012
Field of Education
039909 - Cleaning
Original Release Date
19/06/2012
Nominal Hours
10
Description
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to use pressure washing to clean surfaces. Pressure washing produces a variable stream of either water or cleaning chemical and is used as a replacement for hand scrubbing in large areas or where surfaces are very soiled. Some surfaces, such as cracked, painted or other sealed surfaces, may be sensitive to pressure washing.The unit requires the ability to assess the extent of the cleaning task through knowledge of the characteristics of the surface and the type of surface soiling. It is also necessary to apply understanding of client requirements and company policies and procedures in order to perform the task. Selecting the appropriate equipment, chemicals and cleaning methods is essential to performing the task safely and efficiently.In this unit work is conducted from ground level. CPPCLO3036A Clean at high levels describes work conducted over two metres above ground level.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Assess area for suitability for pressure washing.
- 1.1 Area to be pressure washed is assessed, work order is reviewed according to company requirements, and issues are clarified with appropriate persons.
- 1.2 Hazards and risks in work site are identified and controlled according to company, legislative and occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements.
- 1.3 Type and condition of surface are identified by observation according to work order and company requirements.
- 1.4 Soil type is identified by observation according to work order and company requirements.
- 1.5 Work site access requirements are identified according to work order and company requirements.
- 1.6 Size and usage pattern of work site are determined to ensure safety of personnel and efficient use of equipment and chemicals.
- 1.7 Effectiveness and suitability of a pressure wash is assessed according to work order and legislative, OHS, company and environmental requirements.
- 1.8 Cleaning techniques are selected according to work order, manufacturer specifications and environmental, legislative, OHS and company requirements.
- 1.9 Pre-existing damage is identified and reported to appropriate persons according to company requirements.
2 Select equipment and chemicals.
- 2.1 Personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected and used according to manufacturer specifications, and OHS and company requirements.
- 2.2 Equipment and chemicals are selected for work order according to OHS and company requirements.
- 2.3 Operational effectiveness of equipment is checked according to manufacturer specifications and company requirements.
- 2.4 Equipment is adjusted to suit operator’s requirements according to manufacturer specifications and OHS requirements.
- 2.5 Chemicals are prepared according to manufacturer specifications, and OHS and company requirements.
3 Prepare work site.
- 3.1 Hazards in work site are confirmed and risks are controlled and reassessed according to legislative, OHS and company requirements.
- 3.2 Signage and barriers are installed as required to maximise public safety during the cleaning operation according to work order, and OHS and company requirements.
- 3.3 Items requiring protection from pressure spray are covered and secured according to work order and company requirements.
- 3.4 Work restrictions affecting completion of work order are identified and appropriate persons are notified.
4 Clean work site.
- 4.1 Heavily soiled areas are prepared using cleaning techniques according to manufacturer specifications and company requirements.
- 4.2 Pressure washing is conducted using equipment, PPE and chemicals and according to manufacturer specifications and company requirements.
- 4.3 Work is performed according to work order, manufacturer specifications and legislative, OHS and company requirements.
5 Tidy work site.
- 5.1 Collected soil and waste are disposed of according to client specifications, work order, manufacturer specifications and legislative, OHS, company and environmental requirements.
- 5.2 Signage and barriers are removed according to work order, and OHS and company requirements.
6 Clean and safety check equipment, and store equipment and chemicals.
- 6.1 Equipment and PPE are cleaned according to manufacturer specifications and environmental, OHS and company requirements.
- 6.2 Equipment and PPE are safety checked according to manufacturer specifications and OHS requirements and required maintenance is recorded according to company requirements.
- 6.3 Equipment and PPE are stored and maintained to allow ready access according to manufacturer specifications, and OHS and company requirements.
- 6.4 Chemicals are stored according to manufacturer specifications, and OHS and company requirements.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Work order information may include:
access to work site, including:
access and egress points
timing of access
budget allocations
completion times and dates
human resource requirements to complete the work tasks
job requirements and tasks
legislative and local government requirements
OHS requirements and emergency response procedures
requirements for working in isolated and remote locations
resource requirements, such as equipment and materials
specific client requirements, such as:
dress and presentation requirements
relationships with other activities
use of signage and barriers
work schedules
work site contact persons
work site requirements for specific industries, such as:
hospitals and medical centres
nursing homes
retail food courts
schools
tourism and hospitality.
Company requirements may include:
business and performance plans
client communication procedures
client confidentiality procedures
client service standards
communication channels and reporting procedures
company goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes
company issued identification badges, cards or passes
company policies and procedures, including:
access and equity policy, principles and practice
OHS policies and procedures, including control procedures
maintenance procedures for equipment and PPE
those relating to own role, responsibility and delegation
work site access security clearance procedures
company service standards
dress and presentation requirements
duty of care, code of conduct, and code of ethics
emergency response and evacuation procedures
employer and employee rights and responsibilities
environmental protection procedures
personnel practices and guidelines
quality and continuous improvement processes and standards
records and information systems and processes
training materials (induction, refresher and new skills)
using contractors.
Appropriate persons may include:
clients
colleagues
managers
persons in control of work sites
supervisors.
Hazards may include:
allergic reactions to chemicals or equipment, including latex allergies
biological and animal waste
bites and stings
blood and blood-stained products
confined or restricted spaces
contaminated clothing, materials or equipment
damaged or inappropriate equipment
dust and fibres
electrical hazards arising from:
cables
electrical fittings:
switches
lights
untested electrical equipment
fatigue
fire
gas
heights
inadequate lighting and ventilation
infectious and zoonotic diseases, such as:
Q fever
scabies
mobile equipment and vehicle hazards around plant and vehicles
moving or unguarded parts
noise
occupational violence and bullying
poor personal hygiene practices
spill, splash and spray
release of substances with negative environmental impact
synergistic chemical reactions, such as:
hazardous incompatibility
reactivity
syringes or other sharps
temperature extremes
ultraviolet light
unsafe manual-handling techniques, including awkward and repetitive postures
unsafe underfoot conditions, such as slippery, uneven and rough surfaces
work in unfamiliar isolated or remote environments.
Legislative requirements may include:
Australian standards, quality assurance and certification requirements
award and enterprise agreements
industry advisory standards and codes, such as:
building codes
dangerous goods codes
relevant commonwealth, state and territory legislation and local government regulations affecting company operation, including:
anti-discrimination and diversity policies
chemical controls
chemical registers and manifests
consumer protection
energy conservation
environmental protection
equal employment opportunity
freedom of information
industrial equipment certificates of competency or licences
industrial relations
OHS Acts and regulations
privacy
public health
trade practices
water conservation
workplace consultative arrangements.
Occupational health and safety (also known as workplace health and safety) requirements may relate to:
allergic reactions, such as contact dermatitis
communication devices for remote and isolated locations, such as:
mobile phone
two-way radio
dermatoxicological control and prevention measures
emergency procedures for eye and skin contact, and inhalation and ingestion of toxic substances
hazard identification and risk assessment mechanisms
health surveillance and monitoring, such as regular blood testing
hierarchy of hazard control procedures
maintaining clear access
national and industry standards and codes of practice
OHS control procedures, such as:
health and safety plans
job plans
job safety analyses
risk assessments
safe operating practices and procedures
safe system of work statements
safe work instructions
work method statements
reporting injury and dangerous occurrences
routes of entry and potential symptoms of exposure to chemicals
safe work practices for equipment, PPE and chemical storage, including interpretation of:
MSDS
hazardous substance information, such as long latency periods
safety training, induction and refresher training
selection and use of PPE and clothing appropriate to the hazard
ultraviolet light
up-to-date electrical test and tag compliance
use of chemicals according to MSDS
use of residual current devices
use, storage and maintenance of equipment according to manufacturer specifications and equipment operating manuals.
Surface may be:
brick
car parking areas
concrete
concrete driveways
entertainment seating
external walls, gutters and fascia boards
factory floors
fronts of buildings, such as awnings and facades
garages
industrial kitchens
machinery and equipment
painted surfaces
polyresin
surfaces encompassing new technologies
stairwells
steps
wood.
Soil types may include:
algae and moss
graffiti made with ink, texta and paint
grease and oil
pollution marks and soil on structures, including:
bridges
buildings
outdoor furniture
statues.
Personnel may include:
client’s staff members
colleagues
general public
venue, facility, shopping centre staff and management.
Equipment may include:
brooms
cloths
hoses
lances
microfibre products
pressure washers (electric or diesel)
squeegees
wet area electrical safety connections.
Chemicals may include:
acid cleaners
alkaline cleaners
low environmental-impact chemicals
neutral cleaners
solvent cleaners.
Environmental requirements may include:
clean-up, containment and isolation
company policies and guidelines
emergency chemical spill control measures
environmental protection agency and requirements of government departments, such as:
agriculture
emergency services
hazardous materials handling
local government regulations and by-laws
low-energy cleaning methods
low environmental-impact chemicals
low-moisture cleaning methods
low water-use equipment and water-efficient cleaning methods
non-chemical cleaning methods.
Cleaning techniques may include:
low-water cleaning methods
detailing
hand washing
pre-spraying
pressure water blasting
rinsing.
Manufacturer specifications may include:
equipment operating manuals
instructional guides
MSDS
other resources supplied by the manufacturer, such as:
laminated cards
notices
wall posters
product labels
safety instructions pre-printed on equipment.
Personal protective equipment may include:
ear muffs and plugs
gloves, such as non-permeable
goggles
high-visibility vests and clothing
overalls and other protective clothing
respirators
safety glasses
safety shoes
splash-proof face masks
sun protection
tongs
ultraviolet protection
wet-work clothing.
Signage and barriers may include:
physical barriers and restraints erected to restrict access to a site
signs complying with legislative requirements and Australian standards warning of danger or adverse conditions, including:
cleaning in progress
hazardous chemicals in use or present in work area.
Work restrictions may include:
amount of cleaning anticipated
client activity
employee level of literacy and communication skills
faulty or inappropriate equipment
site accessibility
site hazards
skills of work unit or team
staffing resources
time limitations.
Waste may be either solid or liquid and include:
chemicals past expiry date
obsolete equipment
packaging
removed soil
used cleaning cloths
used containers
used or unused chemicals
used or contaminated PPE
used or unused chemicals.
Work order information may include:
access to work site, including:
access and egress points
timing of access
budget allocations
completion times and dates
human resource requirements to complete the work tasks
job requirements and tasks
legislative and local government requirements
OHS requirements and emergency response procedures
requirements for working in isolated and remote locations
resource requirements, such as equipment and materials
specific client requirements, such as:
dress and presentation requirements
relationships with other activities
use of signage and barriers
work schedules
work site contact persons
work site requirements for specific industries, such as:
hospitals and medical centres
nursing homes
retail food courts
schools
tourism and hospitality.
Company requirements may include:
business and performance plans
client communication procedures
client confidentiality procedures
client service standards
communication channels and reporting procedures
company goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes
company issued identification badges, cards or passes
company policies and procedures, including:
access and equity policy, principles and practice
OHS policies and procedures, including control procedures
maintenance procedures for equipment and PPE
those relating to own role, responsibility and delegation
work site access security clearance procedures
company service standards
dress and presentation requirements
duty of care, code of conduct, and code of ethics
emergency response and evacuation procedures
employer and employee rights and responsibilities
environmental protection procedures
personnel practices and guidelines
quality and continuous improvement processes and standards
records and information systems and processes
training materials (induction, refresher and new skills)
using contractors.
Appropriate persons may include:
clients
colleagues
managers
persons in control of work sites
supervisors.
Hazards may include:
allergic reactions to chemicals or equipment, including latex allergies
biological and animal waste
bites and stings
blood and blood-stained products
confined or restricted spaces
contaminated clothing, materials or equipment
damaged or inappropriate equipment
dust and fibres
electrical hazards arising from:
cables
electrical fittings:
switches
lights
untested electrical equipment
fatigue
fire
gas
heights
inadequate lighting and ventilation
infectious and zoonotic diseases, such as:
Q fever
scabies
mobile equipment and vehicle hazards around plant and vehicles
moving or unguarded parts
noise
occupational violence and bullying
poor personal hygiene practices
spill, splash and spray
release of substances with negative environmental impact
synergistic chemical reactions, such as:
hazardous incompatibility
reactivity
syringes or other sharps
temperature extremes
ultraviolet light
unsafe manual-handling techniques, including awkward and repetitive postures
unsafe underfoot conditions, such as slippery, uneven and rough surfaces
work in unfamiliar isolated or remote environments.
Legislative requirements may include:
Australian standards, quality assurance and certification requirements
award and enterprise agreements
industry advisory standards and codes, such as:
building codes
dangerous goods codes
relevant commonwealth, state and territory legislation and local government regulations affecting company operation, including:
anti-discrimination and diversity policies
chemical controls
chemical registers and manifests
consumer protection
energy conservation
environmental protection
equal employment opportunity
freedom of information
industrial equipment certificates of competency or licences
industrial relations
OHS Acts and regulations
privacy
public health
trade practices
water conservation
workplace consultative arrangements.
Occupational health and safety (also known as workplace health and safety) requirements may relate to:
allergic reactions, such as contact dermatitis
communication devices for remote and isolated locations, such as:
mobile phone
two-way radio
dermatoxicological control and prevention measures
emergency procedures for eye and skin contact, and inhalation and ingestion of toxic substances
hazard identification and risk assessment mechanisms
health surveillance and monitoring, such as regular blood testing
hierarchy of hazard control procedures
maintaining clear access
national and industry standards and codes of practice
OHS control procedures, such as:
health and safety plans
job plans
job safety analyses
risk assessments
safe operating practices and procedures
safe system of work statements
safe work instructions
work method statements
reporting injury and dangerous occurrences
routes of entry and potential symptoms of exposure to chemicals
safe work practices for equipment, PPE and chemical storage, including interpretation of:
MSDS
hazardous substance information, such as long latency periods
safety training, induction and refresher training
selection and use of PPE and clothing appropriate to the hazard
ultraviolet light
up-to-date electrical test and tag compliance
use of chemicals according to MSDS
use of residual current devices
use, storage and maintenance of equipment according to manufacturer specifications and equipment operating manuals.
Surface may be:
brick
car parking areas
concrete
concrete driveways
entertainment seating
external walls, gutters and fascia boards
factory floors
fronts of buildings, such as awnings and facades
garages
industrial kitchens
machinery and equipment
painted surfaces
polyresin
surfaces encompassing new technologies
stairwells
steps
wood.
Soil types may include:
algae and moss
graffiti made with ink, texta and paint
grease and oil
pollution marks and soil on structures, including:
bridges
buildings
outdoor furniture
statues.
Personnel may include:
client’s staff members
colleagues
general public
venue, facility, shopping centre staff and management.
Equipment may include:
brooms
cloths
hoses
lances
microfibre products
pressure washers (electric or diesel)
squeegees
wet area electrical safety connections.
Chemicals may include:
acid cleaners
alkaline cleaners
low environmental-impact chemicals
neutral cleaners
solvent cleaners.
Environmental requirements may include:
clean-up, containment and isolation
company policies and guidelines
emergency chemical spill control measures
environmental protection agency and requirements of government departments, such as:
agriculture
emergency services
hazardous materials handling
local government regulations and by-laws
low-energy cleaning methods
low environmental-impact chemicals
low-moisture cleaning methods
low water-use equipment and water-efficient cleaning methods
non-chemical cleaning methods.
Cleaning techniques may include:
low-water cleaning methods
detailing
hand washing
pre-spraying
pressure water blasting
rinsing.
Manufacturer specifications may include:
equipment operating manuals
instructional guides
MSDS
other resources supplied by the manufacturer, such as:
laminated cards
notices
wall posters
product labels
safety instructions pre-printed on equipment.
Personal protective equipment may include:
ear muffs and plugs
gloves, such as non-permeable
goggles
high-visibility vests and clothing
overalls and other protective clothing
respirators
safety glasses
safety shoes
splash-proof face masks
sun protection
tongs
ultraviolet protection
wet-work clothing.
Signage and barriers may include:
physical barriers and restraints erected to restrict access to a site
signs complying with legislative requirements and Australian standards warning of danger or adverse conditions, including:
cleaning in progress
hazardous chemicals in use or present in work area.
Work restrictions may include:
amount of cleaning anticipated
client activity
employee level of literacy and communication skills
faulty or inappropriate equipment
site accessibility
site hazards
skills of work unit or team
staffing resources
time limitations.
Waste may be either solid or liquid and include:
chemicals past expiry date
obsolete equipment
packaging
removed soil
used cleaning cloths
used containers
used or unused chemicals
used or contaminated PPE
used or unused chemicals.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
This unit of competency could be assessed by observing practical demonstrations of cleaning using pressure washing involving at least two different surfaces and two different work site environments.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the required skills and knowledge specified in this unit.
In particular the person should demonstrate the ability to:
identify hazards associated with pressure washing
identify surface and soil types
use safe and efficient pressure cleaning methods
select cleaning equipment and chemicals
comply with company and legislative requirements
achieve outcomes in relation to customer work order and company requirements.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context. It is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards’ requirements.
Resource implications for assessment include access to:
suitable work site or venues with a variety of surface and soil types suitable for pressure washing
suitable equipment and chemicals
PPE
equipment operating manuals and MSDS
work order instructions, work plans and schedules, and policy documents
assessment instruments, including personal planner and assessment record book.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must:
satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Property Services Training Package
include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application
reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles
confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.
Guidance information for assessment
Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.
Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.
This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function, such as:
CPPCLO2037A Clean external surfaces
CPPCLO3021A Clean industrial machinery.
Overview of assessment
This unit of competency could be assessed by observing practical demonstrations of cleaning using pressure washing involving at least two different surfaces and two different work site environments.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the required skills and knowledge specified in this unit.
In particular the person should demonstrate the ability to:
identify hazards associated with pressure washing
identify surface and soil types
use safe and efficient pressure cleaning methods
select cleaning equipment and chemicals
comply with company and legislative requirements
achieve outcomes in relation to customer work order and company requirements.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context. It is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards’ requirements.
Resource implications for assessment include access to:
suitable work site or venues with a variety of surface and soil types suitable for pressure washing
suitable equipment and chemicals
PPE
equipment operating manuals and MSDS
work order instructions, work plans and schedules, and policy documents
assessment instruments, including personal planner and assessment record book.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must:
satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Property Services Training Package
include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application
reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles
confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.
Guidance information for assessment
Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.
Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.
This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function, such as:
CPPCLO2037A Clean external surfaces
CPPCLO3021A Clean industrial machinery.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S4321 | PRMCL20B | Clean using pressure washing | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S4321 | PRMCL20B | Clean using pressure washing | Unit of competency |
| AXG36 | CPPCLO3020 | Pressure wash and clean surfaces | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D767 | CPP31011 | Certificate III in Cleaning Operations | Qualification |
| AZA4 | HLT33215 | Certificate III in Health Support Services | Qualification |
| D595 | MTM20111 | Certificate II in Meat Processing (Abattoirs) | Qualification |