Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to handle, transport and store swimming pool and spa chemicals safely. It includes assessing risks associated with different types of swimming pool and spa chemicals; following emergency procedures for chemical spillages and leaks; following legislative requirements for the safe handling, transport and storage of swimming pool and spa chemicals; and maintaining chemical storage areas and chemical manifests.
The unit supports the work of those engaged in maintaining water quality in domestic, commercial and public swimming pools and spas. It applies to entry-level swimming pool and spa technicians.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit of competency in some States. Relevant state and territory regulatory authorities should be consulted to confirm those requirements.
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. | Address risks associated with swimming pool and spa chemicals. | 1.1. | Legislation, codes of practice, and industry requirements are accessed. |
1.2. | Information on situations in which swimming pool and spa chemicals may become hazardous is sourced in line with standard operating procedures, safety data sheets (SDS), and manufacturer and enterprise requirements. | ||
1.3. | Risks associated with swimming pool and spa chemicals are identified and assessed. | ||
1.4. | Risk control measures and emergency action plans are identified and implemented. | ||
2. | Handle and transport swimming pool and spa chemicals. | 2.1. | Transport requirements are identified and followed. |
2.2. | Risks involved in the handling and transport of swimming pool and spa chemicals are assessed and minimised. | ||
2.3. | Required first aid and spill kits are confirmed as being on hand for all stages of handling, transport and storage. | ||
2.4. | Swimming pool and spa chemical containers are confirmed as being in sound condition for transport. | ||
2.5. | Personal protective equipment (PPE) is used when handling swimming pool and spa chemicals. | ||
2.6. | Chemical spills and leaks are responded to in line with enterprise, regulatory and manufacturer requirements. | ||
2.7. | Transport incidents are reported. | ||
3. | Store used swimming pool and spa chemicals. | 3.1. | Risks involved in storing swimming pool and spa chemicals are assessed and minimised. |
3.2. | Safe storage methods are used. | ||
3.3. | Storage areas are maintained. | ||
3.4. | Products are retained in original containers with labels intact. | ||
3.5. | Storage containers and unwanted and/or out-of-date chemicals are disposed of. | ||
4. | Store unused swimming pool and spa chemicals. | 4.1. | Unused swimming pool and spa chemicals are repackaged as appropriate. |
4.2. | Unused chemicals are safely handled, transported and stored. | ||
5. | Record storage details of swimming pool and spa chemicals. | 5.1. | Chemical storage inventory and records are maintained. |
5.2. | Storage incidents are reported. | ||
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 demonstrate safe procedures when handling, transporting and storing swimming pool and spa chemicals during two different workplace activities.
In doing the above, the person must:
maintain and use the personal protective equipment (PPE) required for the safe handling, transport and storage of swimming pool and spa chemicals
assess and respond to risks associated with handling, transporting and storing swimming pool and spa chemicals
follow emergency procedures for chemical spills and leaks
maintain storage areas and manifests for swimming pool and spa chemicals.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
chemical disposal principles
chemical safety principles and reasons and procedures for segregating chemicals
chemical storage requirements
purpose and types of chemical storage inventory and records systems
commonwealth, state or territory legislation, and local government regulations impacting on the handling, transport and storage of swimming pool and spa chemicals relating to:
dangerous goods
environmental protection
health
licensing requirements in relation to chemical transport and storage
work health and safety (WHS)
waste disposal
handling, transport and storage requirements for different types of swimming pool and spa chemicals
processes for clearing and cleaning up chemical spillages and leakages
requirements for disposing of excess, unwanted and out-of-date swimming pool and spa chemicals
requirements for disposing of used chemical containers
swimming pool and spa chemicals:
reactive material hazards:
emergency action plans
firefighting
incident reporting procedures
reactive properties of swimming pool and spa chemicals
risk triggers:
improper mixing
wetting
risk control measures:
chemicals, including safe chemical use principles and compliance with labels and instructions
dust prevention
fire prevention
keeping swimming pool and spa chemicals dry
staff training
adequate ventilation
types:
algaecides
balancers
clarifiers and flocculants
oxidisers
sanitisers
specialised chemicals
water balancing chemicals
uses
types and uses of PPE used in handling and transporting swimming pool and spa chemicals.
Assessment Conditions
The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:
equipment:
PPE
materials used in swimming pools and spas:
swimming pool and spa chemicals, including algaecides, balancers, clarifiers and flocculants, oxidisers, sanitisers, specialised chemicals, and water balancing chemicals
contingencies:
typical situations in which swimming pool and spa chemicals may become hazardous, such as chemical spills and leaks, decomposition over time, high humidity, inadequately ventilated storage areas, mixing swimming pool and spa chemicals with incompatible materials, and water wetting swimming pool and spa chemicals
specifications:
safety data sheets (SDS) and manufacturer instructions for swimming pool and spa chemicals
physical conditions:
assessment activities are performed in the context of servicing a domestic, commercial or public swimming pool or spa.
Assessment activities are performed on an individual basis under general supervision.
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 |
Learning skills to: | maintain up-to-date knowledge of safe techniques for handling, transporting and storing swimming pool and spa chemicals. |
Numeracy skills to: | perform calculations required to maintain chemical storage inventory records. |
Oral communication skills to: | ask questions to determine correct use of swimming pool and spa chemicals. |
Reading skills to: | access information in SDS for swimming pool and spa chemicals. |
Technology skills to: | enter and retrieve data from electronic chemical storage inventory systems. |
Writing skills to: | complete workplace documentation for recording stock of swimming pool and spa chemicals. |
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. | |
Information must include at least four of the following: | chemical labels enterprise policies and procedures hazardous material signs SDS product information supplied by swimming pool and spa chemical manufacturers. |
Risks must include: | chemicals: bulk handling compatibility moisture repackaged chemicals storage transport usage used chemicals environmental fire personal injuries: contact with skin and eyes ingestion inhalation manual handling injuries toxic vapours. |
Sectors
Swimming pools and spas