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Required Skills

Required skills

customer service skills to

establish rapport with clients

gain clients trust

identify client expectations

interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of backgrounds

language literacy and numeracy skills to

communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in writing

read and record measurements

read and interpret directions and safety instructions including

detergent labels

equipment manuals and specifications

material safety data sheets MSDS

request advice or further information

seek receive and respond to feedback

source organise and record information

planning and organising skills to

accurately estimate timeframes

use efficient cleaning techniques

problemsolving skills to manage contingencies

skills to work safely when

identifying hazards and controlling risks

manual handling

using hightemperature steam

selfmanagement skills to work alone and in a team

Required knowledge

company management structure and procedures including

biological and viral control

client service standards

emergency response and evacuation procedures

environmental protection procedures

hazard and risk assessment techniques

injury dangerous occurrence and incident reporting

OHS procedures

quality systems

legislation regulations codes of practice and industry advisory standards that apply to cleaning using steamsanitising techniques including OHS legislation

routes of entry and potential symptoms of exposure to chemicals

safe work practices for using equipment including personal protective equipment PPE

steam sanitising techniques including

benefits and characteristics of high temperature vapour steamcleaning products and techniques

characteristics of surfaces and fabrics

environmental benefits of steam cleaning sanitising and lowwater usage cleaning

types of yarns fibres and piles used in carpet and upholstery construction and their characteristics

Evidence Required

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 demonstration of cleaning using hightemperature lowvapour steamcleaning techniques in either a simulated commercial or residential setting

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

communicate effectively with clients to communicate benefits of steamcleaning techniques elicit required information and negotiate access to site

use effective analytical skills to determine site risks

clean to the required standard using steamcleaning equipment on both horizontal and vertical surfaces

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an offsite context It is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards requirements

Resource implications for assessment include access to

range of actual or simulated work environments

clients with differing needs and expectations

suitable equipment

PPE

equipment operating manuals and MSDS

industry documentation and relevant codes and standards

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

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. 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.

Applications of high temperature and low vapour steam-cleaning techniques may suit:

fabrics and upholstery, including blinds and curtains

linoleum

ovens and other cooking equipment

porcelain

removal of:

chewing gum

mould from spas and swimming pool surrounds

wax build-up on floors

sanitising mattresses

stainless steel, stone and other hard surfaces

tiles and grout

windows and glass

wooden surfaces (low-temperature and low-moisture only)

cleaning in:

commercial and high use premises, including:

aged care facilities

hospitality venues

hospitals

supermarkets

private residences.

Benefits of high-temperature and low-vapour steam cleaning include:

deodorising

effective cleaning

efficiency and time effectiveness

environmentally responsible cleaning resulting from reduced water usage and no exposure to chemicals

fast drying due to use of dry vapour

lower costs resulting from lowered water, electricity and chemical use

sanitising effect that kills bacteria, dust mites and bed bugs.

Company procedures may include:

client-specific contractual requirements

documentation and information systems and processes

legal and organisational policy or guidelines

legislation relevant to the operation

organisational service standards

personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles, responsibilities and delegations

using electronic job scheduling and communication devices.

Steam-cleaning equipment includes:

steam-cleaning machines of varying sizes and with differing bar pressures, such as 4.5 bars, 6 bars, 8 bars and 10 bars

attachments for various cleaning purposes and surfaces, including:

brushes:

brass

nylon

stainless steel

nozzles

squeegees

steam lances.

Risks and 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

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.

Cleaning techniques include:

adjusting steam volume to meet needs, including starting task with lower volume and increasing as required

cleaning inside fittings with steam prior to fitting onto handpiece to remove grit and grime

cleaning small area on hard surfaces with steam and immediately vacuuming or mopping residue before surface dries

selecting accessory or fitting to machine appropriate for task

selecting temperature for surface, with consideration given to fabrics being cleaned according to manufacturer instructions and only on low temperature

starting with smaller attachments and working up to larger attachments

using correct temperature to steam clean protein-based stains that may set on fabrics if temperature is too high

using light detergent pre-mist for heavier stains

working from the outside to the inside of horizontal surfaces

working from the top to the bottom of vertical surfaces.

Work is planned to ensure:

sufficient towels and cloths for mopping and cleaning up

cleaning in sequence using one accessory or attachment to maximise use of time

tasks are sequential to ensure efficiency, particularly when a range of surfaces is to be steam cleaned.