CPPCLO3007
Remove carpet stains


Application

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to identify the nature of carpet stains and remove the stains using selected stain removal techniques, chemicals and equipment. The selection of required equipment, chemicals and methods is essential for performing the task safely and efficiently.

The unit supports carpet cleaners who work alone or in teams. It applies in a range of commercial and residential work sites. Removing stains can occur as a separate task or in conjunction with other cleaning tasks, such as daily vacuuming, extraction and general carpet cleaning.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit of competency at the time of endorsement.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1.

Plan and prepare to remove stain.

1.1.

Type of carpet fibre and construction are assessed, job requirements reviewed, and issues clarified as required.

1.2.

Work site hazards are assessed and risks controlled according to company, legislative, and health and safety requirements.

1.3.

Stain type is identified through observation or by discussing and clarifying with client, and previous treatments or removal techniques that have been applied are confirmed.

1.4.

Required stain removal process is determined according to carpet type and cause of stain, client is advised of likelihood of treatment success, and client approval to proceed with stain removal process is obtained before commencing work.

1.5.

Equipment isselected according to job requirements, checked for serviceability, and faults are rectified or reported before starting work.

1.6.

Required cleaning chemicals are selected and prepared.

1.7.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is sourced according to manufacturer specifications, and health and safety and company requirements.

1.8.

Signs and barricades are selected and installed according to health and safety, and company requirements.

1.9.

Pre-existing damage is identified and reported according to company requirements.

1.10.

Tasks are sequenced to ensure maximum efficiency for completing cleaning requirements.

2.

Treat carpet stain.

2.1.

Furniture and fittings are removed to allow cleaning tasks to be performed.

2.2.

Physical remnants of stain are removed as much as possible using technique suited to cause of stain.

2.3.

Required cleaning chemical is applied and allowed to dwell according to manufacturer specifications.

2.4.

Carpet is inspected for evidence of previously used chemicals that may impede the cleaning process and all chemicals are removed using water treatment before reapplying chemical.

2.5.

Treated area is agitated using required equipment and inspected to check that stain removal technique and process are working.

2.6.

Cleaning process is continued until stain is completely removed or until agreed job requirements have been met.

3.

Finalise stain removal.

3.1.

Chemical residue is extracted using required extraction equipment and techniques.

3.2.

Treated carpet is checked for pH levels and neutraliser is applied if required.

3.3.

Treated area is dried or left to dry according to company and job requirements.

3.4.

Soil is removed and carpet is cleaned according to manufacturer specifications, and legislative, health and safety, and company requirements.

3.5.

Treated area is compared with surrounding surface area to determine need for further action according to job and company requirements.

3.6.

Results are reported according to company requirements.

4.

Tidy work site.

4.1.

Collected soil and waste are disposed of according to client and company specifications, and legislative, environmental, and health and safety requirements.

4.2.

Furniture and fittings are returned to original position according to client requirements.

4.3.

Signs and barricades are removed according to health and safety, and company requirements.

5.

Clean and safety check equipment, and store equipment and chemicals.

5.1.

Equipment and PPE are cleaned, safety checked and stored according to manufacturer specifications and environmental, health and safety, and company requirements.

5.2.

Unused chemicals are stored or disposed of according to manufacturer specifications, and health and safety and company requirements.

Evidence of Performance

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy the requirements of the elements, performance criteria, foundation skills and range of conditions of this unit.

The person must also remove three different stains from each of the following types of carpet:

one natural fibre carpet, selected from:

organic (plant) fibres, such as cotton and sisal

wool

one synthetic fibre carpet, selected from:

acrylic

nylon

polyester.

Stain types to be removed during above work, must include three of the following:

beverage

candle wax

chewing gum

food

grease

heavy dirt build-up

hospital waste

industrial and chemical waste

lipstick

nail polish

oil

plant stains

shoe polish

tar.

In doing the above work, the person must:

identify site hazards and control risks before commencing the task

identify type and characteristics of each carpet and its carpet fibres

identify type of stain and cleaning techniques, cleaning equipment and chemicals required for the task

correctly and safely handle waste.


Evidence of Knowledge

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:

carpet characteristics, including:

carpet construction

features of fibres

characteristics of different carpet stains and process for cleaning them according to type, duration of stain, and whether previous treatments and chemicals have been applied

range and application of cleaning equipment and chemicals required to remove carpet stains

environmental requirements relating to removing stains from carpets, including:

clean-up, containment and isolation procedures

emergency chemical spill control measures

environmental protection agency requirements relating to using and disposing of carpet cleaning chemicals

hazardous materials handling

use of low-energy carpet-cleaning methods

use of low-moisture carpet-cleaning methods

use of low water-use equipment and other water-efficient cleaning methods

use of non-chemical carpet-cleaning methods

regulations, codes of practice and industry advisory standards relating to carpet cleaning, including AS/NZS 3733 Textile floor coverings – Cleaning maintenance of residential and commercial carpeting

processes for safely handling and disposing of waste, including:

chemicals past their expiry date

litter

machine exhaust emissions

obsolete equipment

used containers

used or contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE)

used or unused chemicals

safe handling techniques for working with hazardous chemicals, including:

emergency chemical spill control measures

routes of entry and potential symptoms of exposure to chemicals

safe methods for diluting chemicals

working according to safety data sheets (SDS).


Assessment Conditions

The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:

equipment:

as listed in the range of conditions

PPE as listed in the range of conditions

materials:

cleaning chemicals as listed in the range of conditions

specifications:

AS/NZS 3733 Textile floor coverings – Cleaning maintenance of residential and commercial carpeting

equipment operating manuals

product labels

SDS

physical conditions:

suitable work site or venue with carpet stains as listed in the performance evidence

relationships with team members and supervisor:

work may be conducted alone or as part of a team

relationship with client:

communication with the client is required to confirm details of the carpet stain and for approval to proceed.

Timeframe:

as specified by the task.

Assessor requirements

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) current at the time of assessment.


Foundation Skills

This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria.

Skill

Performance feature

Numeracy skills to:

dilute and mix required chemicals using whole numbers and routine fractions.

Oral communication skills to:

ask questions to clarify job requirements

respond clearly and concisely to client questions.

Reading skills to:

interpret simple, structured manufacturer instructions when using equipment and preparing chemicals

interpret directions and safety instructions, including:

equipment operating manuals

product labels

safety data sheets (SDS).

Writing skills to:

document and report faults in equipment to manufacturer and other personnel.

Teamwork skills to:

work collaboratively with others when accessing and cleaning carpets.


Range Statement

This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.

Type of carpet fibre must include:

natural:

organic (plant) fibres, such as cotton and sisal

wool

synthetic:

acrylic

nylon

polyester

polypropylene.

Hazards that must be assessed include:

biological and environmental contaminants

chemical exposure via absorption, ingestion and inhalation

chemical reactivity

dust and fibre particulates

electrical

environmental allergens

explosions

fatigue

fire

manual handling

noise

poor ventilation

slips, trips and falls

syringes and sharps

working in confined spaces.

Health and safety requirements must include:

access to communication devices when working alone

compliance with Safe Work Australia regulations and guidelines

electrical equipment test and tag compliance

emergency response procedures

environmental controls

hazard signs and barricades

health and safety induction and refresher training

manual handling techniques

processes for safely dispensing and handling chemicals while undertaking work tasks

risk assessment procedures, including:

hazardous chemicals register

hierarchy of control

job safety analyses (JSA) for low-risk situations

safe work method statements (SWMS) for high-risk situations

incident reporting

SDS

selection and use of required PPE

storage and maintenance of equipment according to manufacturer specifications

use of first aid according to SDS information.

Stain types must include at least three of the following:

beverage

candle wax

chewing gum

food

grease

heavy dirt build-up

lipstick

nail polish

oil

shoe polish

tar.

Equipment must include at least two of the following:

air mover

carpet groomer

cleaning cloths

extraction unit

measuring equipment

pH stick

scraper or spatula

sponge

spray equipment

steam iron

waste disposal container.

Cleaning chemicals must include:

acid cleaners

alkaline cleaners

neutral cleaners

solvent cleaners

protein spotter.

Personal protective equipment must include at least two of the following:

gloves

disposable respirators

eye protection

gloves

protective clothing

safety shoes.

Cleaned must include:

selecting and using required:

equipment

PPE

chemicals

cleaning techniques.


Sectors

Cleaning operations