CPPCLO3015
Treat complex carpet stains


Application

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to remove complex stains from carpets after standard stain removal and cleaning techniques have failed. It covers selecting and preparing required equipment and chemicals, and applying complex stain removal techniques to the task.

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

1.1.

Type and condition of carpet, fibre and construction are identified, complex stains are assessed, job requirements are reviewed, and issues are clarified.

1.2.

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

1.3.

Complexstain removal techniques are selected according to job and company requirements.

1.4.

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

1.5.

Required cleaning chemicals are selected and prepared.

1.6.

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

1.7.

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

1.8.

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

1.9.

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

2.

Clean complex carpet stain.

2.1.

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

2.2.

Pre-spotting cleaning treatment is applied to carpet stain and allowed to dwell according to manufacturer recommendations.

2.3.

Soil is removed using required techniques, equipment and chemicals, according to manufacturer specifications.

2.4.

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

2.5.

Results are reported according to company requirements.

3.

Tidy work site.

3.1.

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

3.2.

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

3.3.

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

4.

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

4.1.

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

4.2.

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 complex stains from two different carpets as follows:

at least one complex stain from one of the following natural fibre carpets:

organic (plant) fibres, such as cotton and sisal

wool

at least one complex stain from one of the following synthetic fibre carpets:

acrylic

nylon

polyester

polypropylene.

The three different complex stains above must be selected from the following:

beverage

blood

candle wax

dye stuffs

food

human and animal waste

lipstick and makeup

medicine

nail polish

oil

plant stains

shoe polish

tar

timber stains.

In doing the above work, the person must also:

identify site hazards and control risks before commencing the task

correctly identify the type and characteristics of the carpet and carpet fibres

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

use each of the following cleaning methods:

bonnet cleaning

dry absorbent compound

dry foam shampoo

hot water extraction

wet foam shampoo

correctly and safely handle waste.


Evidence of Knowledge

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

environmental requirements to be applied when treating complex carpet stains, including:

clean-up, containment and isolation procedures

environmental protection agency requirements relating to treating complex carpet stains

use of low-energy carpet-cleaning methods

use of low-moisture cleaning methods

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

use of non-chemical carpet-cleaning methods

carpet characteristics, including:

carpet types

features of fibres

cleaning methods for carpets, including:

heat transfer process

pre-spotting and stain-removal methods

testing methods

water-efficient cleaning methods

correct techniques for performing:

extraction cleaning

heat transfer

treatments using:

oxidising agents, such as bleaches

reducing agents, such as dye strippers

key requirements of legislation, regulations, codes of practice and industry advisory standards relating to treating complex carpet stains, 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

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 complex carpet stains

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 and clarify requirements.

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 at the same work site.

Problem-solving skills to:

identify and perform a range of methods for cleaning stubborn stains without causing damage to the carpet.


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.

Complex stains must include at least five of the following:

beverage

candle wax

chewing gum

cigarette butts

dye stuffs

food

grease

heavy dirt build-up

hospital waste

industrial and chemical waste

lipstick

nail polish

oil

plant stains

shoe polish

tar.

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 chemicals

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.

Complex stain removal techniques must include at least one of the following:

chemical treatment followed by transfer method using hand application

chemical treatment followed by extraction spot cleaning

dye stripping

heat transfer with a steam iron

oxidisation.

Equipment must include at least two of the following:

carpet groomers

carpet spot-cleaning kits

cloths

extraction units

eye droppers

garbage bins

nylon bristle brushes

scrapers

sponges

spray equipment

steam generators

steam irons.

Cleaning chemicals must include at least one of the following:

acid cleaners

alkaline cleaners

low environmental impact chemicals

neutral cleaners

oxidising agents, such as bleaches

reducing agents, such as dye strippers

solvents.

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

eye protection

gloves

respirators

safety shoes.


Sectors

Cleaning operations