Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to handle and work with dry cleaning chemicals and solvents commonly used in dry cleaning operations.
This unit of competency applies to operators who prepare, use and store dry cleaning chemicals and solvents when performing dry cleaning operations.
Work may be conducted in small to large scale enterprises and may involve individual and team activities. Work is performed within defined procedures under direct supervision.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Determine job requirements | 1.1 | Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) |
1.2 | Comply with work health and safety (WHS) requirements at all times | ||
1.3 | Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with SOPs | ||
1.4 | Identify job requirements from specifications, drawings, job sheets or work instructions | ||
2 | Prepare to use dry cleaning chemicals and solvents | 2.1 | Access information on dry cleaning chemicals and solvents |
2.2 | Identify personal responsibilities in working with cleaning chemicals | ||
2.3 | Interpret common terminology in safety data sheets (SDS) for cleaning chemicals | ||
2.4 | Identify procedures for using chemicals in a cost-effective manner | ||
3 | Identify chemical control measures | 3.1 | Identify risks associated with cleaning chemicals and operator use |
3.2 | Identify measures for controlling risks | ||
3.3 | Implement correct procedures for calculating quantities and measuring cleaning chemicals | ||
3.4 | Identify local procedures to document procedures and respond to environmental considerations | ||
4 | Apply safe handling of dry cleaning chemicals and solvents | 4.1 | Ventilate work area and eliminate ignition sources |
4.2 | Identify cleaning chemicals, measure, handle and store according to WHS practices and workplace procedures | ||
4.3 | Safely operate machinery and equipment associated with use of cleaning chemicals | ||
4.4 | Report WHS issues, faults or emergencies to relevant personnel | ||
4.5 | Demonstrate procedures to act upon accidents and emergencies according to procedures for the cleaning chemical | ||
4.6 | Maintain work area and dispose of cleaning chemicals according to regulatory requirements, environmental considerations and SDS recommendations | ||
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include:
reading and following work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), safe work practices and other reference material
identifying risks and control measures
complying with industry regulations and codes of practice that govern the control of chemicals in the workplace
differentiating between toxic agents, corrosives, reactives, and flammables and combustibles
locating and interpreting safety data sheets (SDS) and other available safety information on dry cleaning chemicals
identifying procedures for responding to accidents, incidents and emergencies according to procedures for the cleaning chemical
accurately identifying and measuring dry cleaning chemicals for at least five (5) different garment types
using personal protective equipment (PPE)
demonstrating procedures to act upon accidents and emergencies according to procedures for the cleaning chemical
transferring, storing and disposing of cleaning chemicals safely and with respect to environmental considerations
maintaining accurate records.
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:
safe work practices and procedures and use of PPE
Australian Standards, industry regulations and codes of practice that govern the control of chemicals in the workplace
characteristics of different chemicals and solvents used in the dry cleaning industry: toxic agents, corrosives, reactives, and flammables and combustibles
workplace procedures relating to dry cleaning chemical use
personal responsibilities in the control of dry cleaning chemicals in the workplace:
following work health and safety (WHS) procedures
following workplace procedures
following environmental procedures
reporting incidents
using PPE
risks of exposure to chemicals by absorption, inhalation and ingestion
health risks arising from exposure to cleaning chemicals
the meaning of common SDS terms
risks associated with operating machinery or equipment that use cleaning chemicals
procedures for the safe and cost-effective measuring and mixing of chemicals and other agents
workplace procedures for reporting emergencies or WHS issues, control of chemical spills and fires, hazard identification and control measures
reporting and documentation requirements.
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must:
satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment, as set by the VET regulator
have vocational competency in conducting safe handling of dry cleaning chemicals and solvents, at least to the level being assessed, with relevant industry knowledge and experience.
Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible, or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those required skills (language, literacy and numeracy) that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different 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. | |
Workplace procedures include one or more of the following: | requirements prescribed by legislation, awards, agreements and conditions of employment SOPs work instructions oral, written and visual communication quality practices, including responsibility for maintenance of own work quality and contribution to quality improvement of team or section output housekeeping tasks related to environmental protection, waste disposal, pollution control and recycling WHS practices |
Australian Standards include: | the relevant industry or Australian Standards that are current at the time this unit is being undertaken |
Access information on dry cleaning chemicals and solvents includes the following: | identifying relevant regulations and codes of practice relating to the control of hazardous substances assessing workplace information and workplace procedures regarding the safe handling of cleaning chemicals identifying chemicals and their characteristics differentiating between toxic agents, corrosives, reactives, and flammables and combustibles |
Dry cleaning chemicals and solvents include one or more of the following: | perchlorethylene white spirit hydrocarbon liquid silicon detergent chlorine bleach oxybleach builder starch fabric conditioner laundry sour caustic alkali |
Workplace information includes the following: | SDS for hazardous substances workplace procedures signage and labelling verbal instruction |
Risks include one or more of the following: | mixing of chemicals spills and leaks in the workplace chemical fires exposure to perchlorethylene or other cleaning chemicals via absorption inhalation or ingestion |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Dry cleaning operations and laundry operations