Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to perform spotting techniques on articles received for dry cleaning. It includes identifying a wide range of stains on a variety of fabrics, determining spotting requirements and suitable spotting agents, and carrying out spotting procedures.
This unit of competency applies to operators who are responsible for implementing spotting procedures within a dry cleaning operation. It requires skill in spotting all types of stains on common as well as special fabrics, and involves the use of standard and specialist spotting agents.
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 perform spotting function | 2.1 | Identify types of spotting agents and classify |
2.2 | Determine applications of spotting agents to specific types of stains | ||
2.3 | Identify application procedures for spotting agents | ||
2.4 | Consider safety and handling requirements of spotting agents | ||
2.5 | Identify common fabrics and special fabrics | ||
2.6 | Prepare work area, resources, materials and equipment according to requirements and workplace procedures | ||
3 | Determine spotting requirements | 3.1 | Identify type of stain and its characteristics, and determine fabric type |
3.2 | Identify appropriate spotting agent according to stain characteristic and fabric requirements | ||
3.3 | Identify spotting requirements for common stains and select appropriate method | ||
3.4 | Consider advanced spotting processes and procedures and select appropriate method, where necessary | ||
3.5 | Seek information to support skill development when stains or spotting techniques are difficult to identify | ||
3.6 | Implement control measures for factors that affect spotting procedures | ||
4 | Carry out spotting procedure | 4.1 | Prepare spotting agents and mix according to manufacturer instructions and workplace procedures |
4.2 | Handle fabrics or materials according to fabric requirements | ||
4.3 | Operate machine or equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions and workplace procedures | ||
4.4 | Apply spotting technique in accordance with workplace procedures and spotting agent directions | ||
4.5 | Dry, hang or store article correctly, label and take to the correct area for dry cleaning | ||
4.6 | Record and report non-removable stains and defects according to workplace procedures | ||
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 and classifying types of spotting agents, determining applications of spotting agents to specific types of stains, and their application procedures
identifying particular stains and their removal procedures
identifying special fabrics, fabric characteristics and care requirements prior to selection of spotting procedure
selecting spotting agents and conducting procedure appropriate to the type of stain, fibre and fabric, and dye and colour characteristics, for a range of at least (10) ten articles, with different spotting requirements and common fabric types
conducting spotting procedures with a variety of at least five (5) special fabrics, with a variety of stains or marks
documenting spotting agents and procedure applied
preparing and mixing spotting agents accurately and safely, using related measuring and other dispensing or dosing equipment
drying, hanging, storing, labelling and transferring article according to workplace practices to meet quality requirements
recording and reporting non-removable stains and defects according to workplace procedures.
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:
safe work practices and procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Australian Standards that govern dry cleaning and laundry operations
the range of spotting agents and their application to specific stains
spotting resource requirements:
spotting board
drying cabinet
tumbler
spotting brushes
spatula
towel
cheesecloth
blotters
relevant machines and equipment
application procedures for spotting agents
the differences between oxidising and reducing bleaches
rules for bleaching
acceleration processes
safety and handling and storage requirements of spotting agents
procedures for stain identification
types of stains and their characteristics:
organic or non-organic
dye stains
albumin stains
protein stains
vegetable adhesives
mustard
tomato sauce
wine
the characteristics and qualities of special fabrics:
taffeta
satin
crepe
chiffon
moire fabrics
embossed fabrics
pile fabrics
velvet
metallic fabric
pigment print
flock prints
acetate sharkskin
sequins
wools and silks
smooth silks and cottons
requirements for handling and care of fabrics during the spotting process
characteristics of fibres, fabrics, and dyes or colours, and the effects of the spotting procedure
procedures for identifying the type of stain:
considering the information provided by the customer
identifying the colour of the stain
identifying the feel or odour of the stain
machinery and equipment requirements of spotting techniques
factors affecting the spotting process:
time
temperature
moisture
ph concentration
measuring equipment and numeracy relevant to preparing solutions
workplace procedures for mixing and preparing spotting agents and procedures for operating machines and equipment
environmental aspects related to workplace and machine or equipment operation and manual handling
quality practices
workplace practices
practices for recording and reporting.
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 spotting functions in dry cleaning operations, 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 PPE 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 requirements |
Australian Standards include: | the relevant industry or Australian Standards that are current at the time this unit is being undertaken |
Types of special spotting agents include one or more of the following: | wet-side and dry-side agents: sodium thiosulphate formic acid oxalic acid iodine acetone methyl alcohol oxidising and reducing bleaches digestion agents solvents detergents |
Safety and handling requirements include one or more of the following: | PPE procedures for use of certain types of container materials (e.g. plastic and metal) flammability solubility sample testing requirements requirements for mixing and diluting |
Fabric requirements include one or more of the following: | tamping requirements brushing requirements special needs for keeping fabric flat or not rinsing needs procedures for use of certain equipment and chemicals susceptibility to breaks and creasing side of fabric upon which to apply spotting |
Advanced spotting processes and procedures include one or more of the following: | digestion bleaching steam treatment synthetic detergent treatment ammonia action chemical action oxidising reducing |
Relevant documentation includes one or more of the following: | information about the procedure employed record of non-removable stains and defects customer invoicing customer pick-up information |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Dry cleaning and laundry operations