Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:04 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.

Sort and remove waste and recyclable materials

Sort and remove waste and recyclable materials

Unit of competency
National Code
CPPCLO2019A
State Code
WC101
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
10/01/2012
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 remove waste from an area that is being cleaned and transfer it to a waste disposal point, usually specified by the client. Waste collection is usually conducted on a daily basis as part of a regular cleaning routine.The unit requires the ability to assess the extent and types of waste through understanding client requirements and applying company policies and procedures. Selecting the appropriate equipment, chemicals and methods is essential to performing the task safely and efficiently. It is very important to pay careful attention to health and safety issues affecting both the cleaner and the general public.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Assess waste to be removed.
  • 1.1 Waste and recyclable materials are assessed, work order is reviewed according to company requirements, and issues are clarified with appropriate persons.
  • 1.2 Hazards are identified and risks controlled in work site according to company, legislative, and occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements.
  • 1.3 Waste and recyclable types to be collected are identified by observation according to work order and 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 Transfer waste to waste carrier.
  • 3.1 Waste is transferred to waste carrier according to work order, and OHS and company requirements.
  • 3.2 Rubbish bins and surrounds are spot cleaned according to work order and company requirements.
  • 3.3 Soiled rubbish bin liners are replaced according to work order, and OHS and company requirements.
  • 3.4 Work restrictions affecting the completion of work order are identified and appropriate persons are promptly notified.
4 Deliver waste to disposal unit.
  • 4.1 Waste is promptly removed from site according to work order, and OHS and company requirements.
  • 4.2 Waste is transported to disposal unit by shortest practical and safest route according to work order, and OHS and company requirements.
5 Sort and deliver recyclable materials.
  • 5.1 Recyclable materials are identified, separated and sorted according to work order, and OHS and company requirements.
  • 5.2 Recyclable materials are moved safely and according to work orders to recycling collection units used for each type of material.
  • 5.3 Recycling containers and surrounds are spot cleaned according to work order, and OHS and company requirements.
  • 5.4 Recycling containers are checked and replaced in designated locations, with signage indicating use.
  • 5.5 Records of recyclable materials that have been sorted and transferred are made according to work orders.
6 Clean and safety check equipment, and store equipment and chemicals.
  • 6.1 Cleaning techniques are used to clean equipment and PPE according to manufacturer specifications and OHS, company and environmental 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.
Waste may be either solid or liquid and include:
chemical and metal, such as:
computing consumables
photocopying consumables
printing consumables
contaminated and hazardous biological, such as:
blood and other human waste
cytotoxic waste
soiled and disposable linen
syringes and needles
general waste, such as:
drinks
foodstuffs.
Recyclable materials will be determined by company policy and client requirements and may include:
packaging materials
paper
cardboard
food stuffs
plastics
glass
metals, such as aluminium
other items that are designated for re-use, such as toner cartridges.
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 of any equipment used in the removal, transfer and transport of waste and recyclable materials
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.
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.
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.
Equipment may include:
bin liners
cleaning cloths
damp wiping kits
long-handled dustpans and brooms
nylon pads
pick-up trolleys
scrubbing brushes
spray bottles
wheelie bins (mobile garbage bins).
Chemicals may include:
acid cleaners
alkaline cleaners
low environmental-impact chemicals
neutral cleaners
solvent cleaners.
Waste carriers may include:
garbage bags
sharps containers
trolleys
wheelie bins.
Rubbish bins may include:
bio-hazard bags and bins
contaminated waste bins
general purpose bins
needle hazard disposal units
radioactive waste bins
recycle bins
rest room bins
wet rubbish bins.
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.
Disposal units may include:
compactors
dumpmasters
large waste bins
open trucks
wheelie bins.
Cleaning techniques may include:
external cleaning, such as waste disposal units
full cleaning
spot cleaning
sweeping.
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.
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 removing waste involving at least 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 and risks associated with handling waste
identify waste types
comply with company and legislative requirements
use safe and efficient cleaning methods
use safe and efficient waste removal methods
select cleaning equipment and chemicals
achieve outcomes in relation to client 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 venue
suitable equipment and chemicals
PPE
equipment operating manuals and MSDS
work order instructions, work plans and schedules
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:
CPPCLO2001A Maintain hard floor surfaces
CPPCLO2004A Maintain carpeted floors
CPPCLO2015A Maintain furniture, fittings and room dressing
CPPCLO2017A Clean wet areas.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
S4320 PRMCL19B Remove waste Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
S4320 PRMCL19B Remove waste Unit of competency
AXH73 CPPCLO3019 Remove waste and recyclable materials Unit of competency