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

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Essential knowledge:

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes knowledge of:

Appropriate trees to plant around septic tanks if required consistent with local codes of practice or legislation

Basic knowledge and understanding of the water and sewerage plans for the community if available

How to monitor septic system and check for signs of potential problems

OHS requirements in relation to working with sewage and sewerage systems

Sewerage disposal strategies for communities or outstations without a sewerage disposal system (on site/septic system or sewerage/effluent system) e.g. grease trap and soakage pit, pit toilets, shallow trench latrines etc.

Various problems that can to happen household plumbing, on site systems and the reasons why e.g. people putting things other than toilet paper down the toilet, people putting food scraps down the sink etc.

What sewage is and the difference between effluent (black) and sullage (grey) water

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes the ability to:

'Check for signs' of potential problems

Apply monitoring and recording skills, i.e. checklists, notes etc.

Apply problem solving skills in relation to identifying potential problems that can occur with septic or on-site systems, and household plumbing and fixtures

Demonstrate understanding of the how septic/on-site systems function

Effectively network and communicate with the employing organisation, householders, community members, key people and outside agencies

Monitor septic or on site systems and check for signs of potential problems

Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation, environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues

Use a phone and fax

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