Elements and Performance Criteria

Application technique(s) may include
airless sprayers
powered sprayers
pump-up sprayers
rakes/brushes.

Appropriate person(s) may include
clients
colleagues
managers
person(s) in control of work site(s)
supervisors.

Carpet(s), upholstery and soft furnishings may include
carpet
mixed blends
natural fibres e.g. wool, silk and plant fibres such as cotton and sisal
synthetic fibres e.g. nylon, polypropylene and acrylic
coir matting
drapes and blinds
curtains
drapery
fabric blinds
fabric pelmets
mats and rugs
soft furnishings
loose cushions
synthetic grass
upholstery
banners and signage
fabric
fabric wall coverings
leather
room dividers
wall hangings.

Company requirements may include
access and equity policy, principles and practice
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 badge/card/pass
company policy and procedures
company service standards
defined resource parameters
dress and presentation requirements
duty of care, code of conduct, code of ethics
emergency response and evacuation procedures
maintenance procedures for equipment and PPE
OHS control procedures (e.g. health and safety plans, job plans, job safety
analysis, risk assessments, safe operating practices/procedures, safe work instructions, work method statements, safe system of work statements)
OHS policies and procedures
personnel practices and guidelines
policies and procedures relating to own role, responsibility and delegation
quality and continuous improvement processes and standards
records and information systems and processes
rights and responsibilities of employees and employers
training (induction, refresher and new skills) materials
use of contractors
work site access security clearance procedures.

Environmental requirements may include
clean-up, containment and/or isolation
company policies and guidelines
environmental protection agency and government department regulations and guidelines
hazardous materials handling
local government regulations/bylaws.

Equipment may include
absorbent cloths
carpet rake
chemical hand spray unit
horse hair brush
power sprayer
pump-up sprayer.

Hazards may include
allergic reactions to chemicals and/or equipment, including latex allergies
biological waste
bites and stings
blood and blood-stained products
broken glass and other sharp surfaces
chemical containers and/or decanted chemical storage containers labelled incorrectly
confined/restricted spaces
contaminated clothing, materials and/or equipment
damaged or inappropriate equipment
dust and fibres
electrical hazards arising from cables, electrical fittings (switches and lights) and untested electrical equipment
environmental impact
extremes of heat and temperature
fatigue
fire
gas
heights
human/animal waste (faeces, urine, vomit)
inadequate lighting and ventilation
infectious and zoonotic diseases e.g. scabies/Q fever
inhaling chemical fumes
leaks, spill, splash and spray
manual handling techniques including awkward and repetitive postures
mobile/vehicle hazards around plant and vehicles
moving and/or unguarded machinery and equipment
noise
occupational violence and bullying
poor manual handling techniques
poor personal hygiene practices
repetitive motion, force and vibration
synergistic chemical reactions (hazardous incompatibility or reactivity)
syringes or other sharps
ultraviolet light
underfoot conditions e.g. slippery, uneven and rough surfaces
unrestricted people access
waste and waste disposal
work in isolated/remote environments.

Legislative requirements may include
Australian Standards, quality assurance and certification requirements
award and enterprise agreements
codes of practice
national industry standards
relevant Commonwealth/state/territory legislation and local government regulations that affect company operation:
anti-discrimination and diversity
availability of chemical registers/manifests
chemical controls
consumer protection
environmental protection issues
equal employment opportunity
freedom of information
industrial equipment certificates of competency or licences
industrial relations
OHS Acts and regulations
privacy
trade practices
workplace consultative arrangements.

Manufacturers' specifications may include
equipment operational manuals
instructional guides
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
other resources supplied by the manufacturer (such as laminated cards, notices and wall posters)
product labels
safety instructions pre-printed on equipment.

Occupational health and safety* (OHS) requirements may relate to
allergic reactions (contact dermatitis, etc)
communication devices for remote and isolated locations e.g. mobile phone, two-way radio, etc
dermatoxicological control and prevention measures
emergency procedures for eye and skin contact, inhalation and ingestion of toxic substances
hazard identification and risk assessment mechanisms
hazard reporting
hierarchy of hazard control procedures
injury, dangerous occurrence and incident reporting requirements
irregular blood testing (health surveillance and monitoring)
keeping access ways clear from obstruction
maintaining clear access ways
maintenance procedures for equipment and PPE
national industry standards/codes of practice
OHS control procedures (e.g. health and safety plans, job plans, job safety analysis, risk assessments, safe operating practices/procedures, safe work instructions, work method statements, safe system of work statements)
protection from hazardous substances, noise and dust
protection of people in the workplace
routes of entry and potential symptoms of exposure from chemicals
safety training (induction and refresher)
ultraviolet light
up-to-date electrical test and tag compliance
use of chemicals in accordance with labels
use, storage and maintenance of equipment in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and equipment operating manuals
use, storage and maintenance of personal protective equipment and clothing.
* Also known as workplace health and safety

Personal protective equipment (PPE) may include
ear muffs/plugs
gloves - non-permeable
goggles
high-visibility vests/clothing
overalls and other protective clothing
respirator
safety glasses
safety shoes
splash-proof face masks
sun protection
tongs
ultraviolet protection
wet-work clothing.

Personnel may include
client's staff
fellow workers (colleagues)
general public
venue/facility/building/shopping centre staff/management.

Rights and responsibilities of employees may relate to
confidentiality and privacy rights
duty of care
knowing the appropriate personnel for reporting purposes
knowing the location of manuals and/or related documents
knowing the terms and conditions of own employment
knowing the workplace procedures
protection from discrimination and sexual harassment.

Rights and responsibilities of employers may relate to
duty of care
providing a safe environment free from discrimination and sexual harassment (see relevant state and Commonwealth anti-discrimination legislation
providing a safe workplace in accordance with OHS legislation, codes of practice, regulations and standards
providing information and training in work tasks, OHS and other employment related matters
the right to dismiss you if you (see the Commonwealth
are negligent, careless or cause an accident
commit a criminal offence
commit acts of disloyalty such as revealing confidential information
use abusive language.

Signage and barriers may include
physical barriers and restraints erected to restrict access to a site
signs complying with legislative requirements and/or Australian Standards warning of danger and/or adverse conditions including cleaning in progress and hazardous chemicals are in use or present in the work area.

Testing may include
burn test
chemical tests
sink/float test.

Topical treatment chemicals may include
anti-microbial agents
anti-static agents
deodorisers
fire retardants
protectors.

Waste may be either solid or liquid and includes
chemicals past the expiry date
obsolete equipment
packaging
used containers
used or unused chemicals
used/contaminated personal protective equipment.

Work order information may include
access to work site and egress points
budget allocations
completion times/dates
insufficient people to complete the work task(s)
job requirements and tasks
legislative and local government requirements
OHS requirements and emergency response procedures
resource requirements - equipment and materials
specific client requirements e.g. relationships with other activities, dress and presentation requirements
use of signage and barriers
work schedules
work site contact person(s)
working in isolated and remote locations.

Work restrictions may include
amount of cleaning anticipated
client activity
employee(s) level of literacy and/or communication skills
faulty or inappropriate equipment
site hazards
skills of the work unit/team
staffing resources
time limitations.

Critical aspects of competency
Accurate identification of the type and characteristics of the carpet, upholstery or soft furnishing.
Compliance with company and legislative requirements.
Outcomes achieved in relation to customer work order and company requirements.
Safe and efficient topical treatment application methods.
Selection of appropriate cleaning equipment and chemicals.

Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria
Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below.
Types of carpet(s), upholstery or soft furnishing and characteristic features.
Knowledge of the range of topical treatment application equipment and chemicals.
Awareness of applicable legislation, regulations, codes of practice and industry advisory standards.
OHS legislation and procedures.
Company management structure and reporting procedures.
Company procedures and practices.
Emergency response and evacuation procedures.
Injury, dangerous occurrence and incident reporting.
Knowledge of biological and viral control procedures.
Routes of entry and potential symptoms of exposure from chemicals.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These are:

accurate identification of carpet, upholstery or soft furnishing type
accurate selection of topical treatment chemicals to suit requirements
applying correct manual handling techniques
communicating clearly and concisely using written and verbal modes
customer service
handling and disposing of chemicals safely
performing the mathematical calculations required for the dilution and mixing of chemicals as specified on product labels
reading, interpreting and comprehending directions and safety instructions in equipment manuals and MSDS and on chemical labels
requesting advice or further information
seeking and receiving feedback
sourcing, organising and recording information
working on an individual basis or as part of a team.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit
Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with PRMCC15A Perform advanced stain removal.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

access to a suitable work site or venue with carpets, upholstery or soft furnishing
access to suitable equipment and chemicals
access to personal protective equipment
access to equipment operating manuals and MSDS
work order instructions, work plans, schedules and policy documents
assessment instruments, including personal planner and assessment record book.

Gaining evidence to assess this unit
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, the competency should be demonstrated over a period of time and be observed by the assessor.
The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations, which may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.
Assessment of competency may be made through practical demonstration in the work environment or in a simulated work environment.

Communicating ideas and information
Disseminate relevant information to customers, work groups and other appropriate people through discussion. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Measure information against legislative, customer and organisational requirements through observation and discussion with the work group. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Organise and prioritise work tasks to meet work order and company requirements. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Apply principles in collaborative and consultative ways that contribute to a safe and effective work environment. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Calculate floor area to be cleaned and measure and carry out chemical applications. (2)

Solving problems
Apply problem-solving skills to hazard identification and risk assessment. (2)

Using technology
Enter, amend and access work-related information via electronic equipment. (2)