Elements and Performance Criteria

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.


Plumbing design and fixtures may include:
Bath , basin and shower recess
Drain or floor waste gully
Kitchen sink
Grease traps
Water trough
Toilet and toilet vent
Sewer pipe
Rod end
Inspection openings
Disconnector traps, 'S' or 'P' traps


Septic tank design and components of on-site systems may include:
Inspection opening
Round or rectangular tank design
Two tank design or one tank with a dividing wall down the middle
Concrete bottoms and lids, some rectangular tanks may have metal lids
Scum bucket
Inlet/outlet pipes
Baffle
Leach/French drain
Soakage trenches and transpiration beds


Identify the basic way in which septic tanks work to treat the sewage may refer to:
Germs treat the waste matter and turn it into a sludge or effluent (waste water) which is then carried to the leach drain etc
A scum blanket (hard crust) forms on the top of the material in the septic tank creating an air tight seal which assists in the break down of sewage by the germs


Problems that can occur may include but are not limited to the following:
Cars driving over septic tanks lids and drains causing them to collapse
Sludge build up in the tank
Scum blanket or solid matter that may be blocking the inlet or outlet pipes
Broken, blocked or collapsed leach/French drains
Septic tanks that are not installed correctly, or installed in the wrong position e.g. too close to a water supply, in areas that flood regularly, in areas that have a high water table etc.
Kitchen sink blocked by food scraps
Flushing toilet bowl blocked
Flushing toilet cistern not working
Grease trap lids not properly sealed resulting in smell, and access for pests to breed
Septic tank lids that are not sealed properly resulting in smell, the possibility of people coming into contact with disease causing germs, and access for pests to breed
Leaking taps and toilet cisterns which can fill up septic systems


Identify strategies within the workers own roles and responsibilities may include:
Education/health promotion to householders and community members as part of job role
Repairs and maintenance to household or community plumbing and fixtures to ensure that all faulty, blocked, damaged or worn our parts are mended or replaced as soon as possible
Monitoring and maintaining septic or on-site systems, i.e. check scum bucket, blanket, inlet/outlet pipes, sludge, and the lid of the tank for cracks and damage. Also need to check for overflow, and if drain has collapsed
Checking for signs of potential problems with on-site systems, e.g. the sewage in the toilet or the liquid waste from other fixtures flows away very slowly, liquid waste overflows from the disconnector traps, wet areas on top of the tank, etc.
Planting appropriate trees around septic tanks to prevent cars from driving over the top of them if required
Assisting with septic tank pump outs


Develop a work plan may include:
Diary planner/timetable
Prioritising tasks
Organising task check lists
Ordering in supplies i.e.: trees to plant around septic tanks, etc.


Report may be:
Verbally in either first language or English
Written in either first language or English
By showing supervisor the problem


Referrals may be:
Verbally in either first language or English depending on the target group and whether or not the referrals take place internally within the community, or outside the community to other key people or agencies
Written correspondence i.e.: faxes, letters, etc.
Photos of the problem/issue
Video of the problem issue


Problems that may be outside of the workers area of responsibility include some of the following:
Inappropriate septic tank size or design, e.g. a septic tank that is unable to deal with fluctuating occupancies in the household
Inappropriate installation of septic tanks, e.g. septic tank installed less than 100m from the communities water supply
Septic tank and leach drain that need replacing


Key people or agencies may include:
Community council
Environmental Health Officers
Essential Services Officers
Relevant water authority
Plumbers
Others involved with the maintenance of on - site systems


Relevant others:
Housing Officers/managers
Community council
Housing and Local Government
Contractors


Follow up procedures may include:
Monitoring reported repairs and maintenance requirements to ensure that problems are being adequately addressed and dealt with
Ensuring that the work is being done within an appropriate time frame, particularly for urgent repairs and maintenance
Ensuring that all repairs and replacement parts are being made with durable health hardware items appropriate for the region
Monitoring community reporting processes

EVIDENCE GUIDE

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
Consistency in performance should consider the workers ability to be able to monitor septic or on-site systems, and check for signs of potential problems
This needs to occur more than once and over a period of time


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


Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is best assessed on the job or in a realistic workplace setting
Access to:
a phone and fax when required
tools, materials and equipment for basic repairs and maintenance tasks if necessary
appropriate trees to plant around septic tanks if required
simulation of realistic workplace setting for assessment