Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:49 PM AWST
22/07/2026 3:49 PM 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 location to achieve low bacteria status
Clean location to achieve low bacteria status
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTMT307B
HLTMT307B
State Code
WD198
WD198
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
30/07/2012
Field of Education
039909 - Cleaning
Original Release Date
30/07/2012
Nominal Hours
25
Description
DescriptorThis unit describes the knowledge and skills required to use methods and procedures to achieve low bacteria conditions in an area
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Ascertain the special requirements for cleaning the low bacteria location
- 1.1 Confirm the availability of the area to be cleaned using the required method
- 1.2 Identify risks and hazards and report dangerous areas immediately for further action
- 1.3 Identify priorities and special requirements for cleaning the area through communication with the client, including special clothing requirements
- 1.4 Identify client protocols for cleaning the area and plan as required to address them
- 1.5 Observe written notices, warning symbols and room conditions and act upon them in accordance with client requirements
- 1.6 Confirm responsibilities for cleaning based on agreed client requirements
- 1.7 Report any pre-existing damage to work site immediately
2. Select appropriate methods and procedures
- 2.1 Ensure the methods and procedures selected to produce the low bacteria outcome can be fully completed in the access time available
- 2.2 Ensure the selected methods and procedures meet the relevant health regulation, code of practice and client requirements
- 2.3 Obtain up to date documentation for the selected methods
3. Select and assemble tools and equipment
- 3.1 Select tools and equipment relevant to the type of low bacteria area and provide protection from identified risks
- 3.2 Select equipment in accordance with relevant signage systems, coding and manufacturers requirements
- 3.3 Assemble equipment in accordance with manufacturer's specifications and check it is in good working order
- 3.4 Dilute chemicals in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and client protocols
- 3.5 Review safety conditions against relevant safety data sheets to ensure safe cleaning operations
- 3.6 Install new filters where required to protect against any possible cross infection
4. Organise work to follow scheduled procedures
- 4.1 Recognise waste types and remove in accordance with relevant company, client and legislative requirements to reduce risk of contamination or infection
- 4.2 Move equipment and furniture to provide clear access to cleaning site
- 4.3 Ensure specialised equipment is isolated/removed from cleaning site in terms of client requirements to avoid any possibility of damage
5. Wear protective clothing where required
- 5.1 Fit protective clothing and secure properly to ensure safe and comfortable use
- 5.2 Remove or cover all external jewellery where it is a potential safety hazard
6. Apply selected procedures to low bacteria area
- 6.1 Use machinery in accordance with manufacturer's specifications
- 6.2 Comply with relevant work health and safety (WHS) legislation and practice, industry codes of practice, infection control, waste management and organisation requirements
- 6.3 Take steps to ensure ongoing client activity and work in process is not interrupted
- 6.4 Take suitable measures and organisation procedures to ensure cross contamination does not occur
- 6.5 Regular check filters, pads and brushes for cleanliness and replace as required to maintain the effectiveness of the cleaning procedures
- 6.6 Apply correctly diluted cleaning agent to surfaces to enable reduction of bacteria in accordance with manufacturer's instructions
7. Adjust methods and procedures to meet demands of the situation
- 7.1 Assess need to adjust procedures to protect the needs and safety of the client and operator
- 7.2 Plan follow up where cleaning procedures are delayed to ensure required tasks are completed within required time limits
- 7.3 Relocate equipment for cleaning where necessary to ensure completion of all procedures
- 7.4 Report and/or record the need for adjustments to enable suitable follow up to occur
8. Determine that the requirements of the applied procedures have been met
- 8.1 Sign off cleaning procedures at end of the clean in accordance with client and company requirements
- 8.2 Check cleaning for effectiveness and repeated where necessary to achieve required results
- 8.3 Perform or arrange bacterial count tests where specified
- 8.4 Ensure all reports are accurate and prepared without delay
9. Clean and store equipment
- 9.1 Dry and clean equipment as per manufacturer's specifications, and infection control procedures
- 9.2 Store cleaning agents, polishes and cloths in accordance with manufacturer's specifications and relevant health and safety requirements
- 9.3 Ensure cleaned equipment is stored in a manner that will maintain its function and is readily accessible for re-use
10. Use correct waste disposal methods
- 10.1 Use rapid flushing facilities for liquid disposal to aid dilution of waste in accordance with relevant regulations
- 10.2 Dispose of waste in accordance with relevant environmental, health and safety, infection control, WHS and local government requirements
- 10.3 Isolate, handle, transport and code contaminated wastes in terms of required procedures and regulations
- 10.4 Ensure wastes are removed as soon as possible from work site to minimise discomfort, contamination or leakage in accordance with the organisation's infection control and waste management policy and practice
- 10.5 Ensure wastes are segregated where applicable
RANGE STATEMENT
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.
Cleaning types may be:
Maintenance
Additional/terminal for disinfection
Environments may be:
Hospital wards or operating theatre suite, clean and dirty utility rooms in hospitals,
food processing areas (including industrial)
Laboratories and diagnostic rooms
Catheter laboratories
Equipment may include:
Vacuum (wet and dry)
Polishers
Scrubbers
Lint free cloths
Mops
Buckets
All equipment and materials are either:
Disposable
or
Suitable for chemical disinfection or sterilisation
Rapid flushing materials include:
Sink or drain
Slop hopper
Sluice
Chemicals in use are usually:
Brand name neutral pH detergents
Risks and hazards may include:
Infection and contaminated waste
Spillages
Needle stick injuries
Faulty equipment
Waste mucous ,membrane and human tissue exposure
Radio activity
Cytotoxic materials
Chemical allergic reactions
Documentation may include:
Pre-printed schedules
Protocols
Checklists
Coding systems may include:
Universal colour-coded
Symbol systems
Waste disposal and separation is to be:
Safely undertaken in accordance with organisation waste management and infection control policy, Federal, State or local government regulation
Waste types include:
Contaminated
Biohazards and body fluids
Human tissue
Toxic or potentially dangerous
Cytotoxic
Radioactive
Chemical
Metal recovery
Sharps
Procedure adjustments may follow from:
Workload levels
Emergencies
Lack of access
Unsafe conditions
Lack of personnel
Interruptions (noise, physical etc)
Maintenance of the standard set for cleaning should:
Not be altered
Problems in achieving cleaning standards should:
Be reported immediately to supervisors
Manufacturers' specifications and safety data are
Pre-printed on:
chemical containers
safety data sheets
laminated cards at the work site
wall posters
Personal protective equipment may include:
Gloves
Safety glasses
Safety shoes
Face masks and gowns
Ear muffs/plugs
Overalls or as prescribed in regulations or by manufacturers of chemicals or equipment
Operating theatre clothing, including shoe covers and hair covers/caps used especially in operating room environments
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.
Cleaning types may be:
Maintenance
Additional/terminal for disinfection
Environments may be:
Hospital wards or operating theatre suite, clean and dirty utility rooms in hospitals,
food processing areas (including industrial)
Laboratories and diagnostic rooms
Catheter laboratories
Equipment may include:
Vacuum (wet and dry)
Polishers
Scrubbers
Lint free cloths
Mops
Buckets
All equipment and materials are either:
Disposable
or
Suitable for chemical disinfection or sterilisation
Rapid flushing materials include:
Sink or drain
Slop hopper
Sluice
Chemicals in use are usually:
Brand name neutral pH detergents
Risks and hazards may include:
Infection and contaminated waste
Spillages
Needle stick injuries
Faulty equipment
Waste mucous ,membrane and human tissue exposure
Radio activity
Cytotoxic materials
Chemical allergic reactions
Documentation may include:
Pre-printed schedules
Protocols
Checklists
Coding systems may include:
Universal colour-coded
Symbol systems
Waste disposal and separation is to be:
Safely undertaken in accordance with organisation waste management and infection control policy, Federal, State or local government regulation
Waste types include:
Contaminated
Biohazards and body fluids
Human tissue
Toxic or potentially dangerous
Cytotoxic
Radioactive
Chemical
Metal recovery
Sharps
Procedure adjustments may follow from:
Workload levels
Emergencies
Lack of access
Unsafe conditions
Lack of personnel
Interruptions (noise, physical etc)
Maintenance of the standard set for cleaning should:
Not be altered
Problems in achieving cleaning standards should:
Be reported immediately to supervisors
Manufacturers' specifications and safety data are
Pre-printed on:
chemical containers
safety data sheets
laminated cards at the work site
wall posters
Personal protective equipment may include:
Gloves
Safety glasses
Safety shoes
Face masks and gowns
Ear muffs/plugs
Overalls or as prescribed in regulations or by manufacturers of chemicals or equipment
Operating theatre clothing, including shoe covers and hair covers/caps used especially in operating room environments
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
This unit will be most appropriately assessed under the normal range of workplace conditions
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Method of assessment may include:
Observation of work activities
Written tasks
Interviews/questioning
Resource implications:
Access to:
a suitable venue
assessment instruments, record books, personal planners
cleaning equipment and materials, including detergents, anti-bacterial and anti-viral agents and relevant filters
codes of practice and organisational policy/procedures on infection control, universal and additional precautions, and contaminated waste disposal
enterprise and client WHS and cleaning policies and procedures, if relevant
infection control policy and procedures
job specifications and procedure manuals (if relevant)
manufacturers equipment use and maintenance specifications
material safety data sheets
policy and procedure manuals
safety equipment, such as caution signs, protective equipment, masks, gloves, etc
syringe sharp container(s) and disposal unit
syringes
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
This unit will be most appropriately assessed under the normal range of workplace conditions
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Method of assessment may include:
Observation of work activities
Written tasks
Interviews/questioning
Resource implications:
Access to:
a suitable venue
assessment instruments, record books, personal planners
cleaning equipment and materials, including detergents, anti-bacterial and anti-viral agents and relevant filters
codes of practice and organisational policy/procedures on infection control, universal and additional precautions, and contaminated waste disposal
enterprise and client WHS and cleaning policies and procedures, if relevant
infection control policy and procedures
job specifications and procedure manuals (if relevant)
manufacturers equipment use and maintenance specifications
material safety data sheets
policy and procedure manuals
safety equipment, such as caution signs, protective equipment, masks, gloves, etc
syringe sharp container(s) and disposal unit
syringes
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D8338 | HLTMT307A | Clean location to achieve low bacteria status | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J080 | HLT41512 | Certificate IV in Hyperbaric Technology | Qualification |
| J060 | HLT32012 | Certificate III in Mortuary Theatre Practice | Qualification |