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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Identify components of the sewerage or effluent disposal system in the community
  2. Monitor and maintain the sewerage or effluent disposal system

Required Skills

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

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

Basic requirements necessary for sewerage ponds to work effectively and efficiently and how to monitor sewerageeffluent systems for signs of potential problems

WHS requirements in relation to working with sewage and sewerage systems

Sewerage disposal strategies for communities or outstations without a sewerage disposal system on siteseptic system or sewerageeffluent system eg grease trap and soakage pit pit toilets shallow trench latrines etc

Various problems that can happen to household plumbing effluent systems and why eg people putting things other than toilet paper down the toilet people putting food scraps down the sink

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 ie checklists notes etc

Apply problem solving skills in relation to identifying potential problems that can occur with sewerage or effluent systems and household plumbing and fixtures

Demonstrate understanding of how the sewerageeffluent systems function

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

Monitor sewage lagoons and effluent 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

Evidence Required

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 sewage lagoons and effluent 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 andor 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

fencing materials if required

simulation of realistic workplace setting for assessment

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

Identification of components may be by:

Discussing the effluent system lay out for the community with the relevant water authority, essential services officers, environmental health officers, etc.

Obtaining a water and sewerage plan for the community if available, and with support identifying basic components of the system

Components of a sewerage or effluent system may refer to:

Sewer connections, man holes, sewer pipes, pumping station, final effluent pond/lagoon etc.

The way in which the sewage receives its treatment in the community could be either by:

Septic tanks at each building or household

Problems that can occur may include but are not limited to the following:

Tree roots growing into main sewer pipe joints

Soil blocking broken sewer pipes

Lagoons not being adequately maintained

Broken fences around lagoons

Kitchen sink blocked by food scraps etc.

Flushing toilet bowl blocked

Flushing toilet cistern not working

Grease trap lids not properly sealed allowing smell and cockroach breeding

Leaking taps and toilet cistern which can fill up septic systems or sewerage lagoons

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, broken or worn out parts are mended or replaced as soon as possible

Monitoring sewage lagoons and out fall, and checking for signs of potential problems, i.e. bad smells, still areas on the surface of the pond(s), water which is not a light flecked green colour, excessive vegetation growth in and around the pond(s) etc.

Maintaining sewerage systems and sewage lagoons, e.g. removing rubbish/objects from the water, maintaining fences and signs, unblocking sewer pipes (need to liaise with relevant water authority before adopting any of these strategies)

Develop a work plan may include:

Diary planner/timetable

Prioritising tasks

Organising task check lists

Report may be:

Verbal 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, e.g. fax, letters, etc.

Photos of the problem/issue

Video recording the problem/issue

Problems that may be outside of the workers area of responsibility include some of the following:

Eroded or broken lagoon banks

Lagoon banks which are not angled at 15-20 degrees

Water depth not being maintained at one metre

Key people or agencies may include:

Community council

Environmental Health Officers

Essential Services Officers

Relevant water authority

Plumbers

Others involved with the maintenance of effluent systems