Work must be carried out in compliance with the relevant industry codes of practice for the handling of furniture and effects.

Work is performed under limited or minimum supervision generally within a team environment. It involves the application of the basic principles and routine procedures to the handling of furniture and effects in a range of furniture removal contexts.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Prepare for removal

1.1 Appropriate removals equipment and materials are selected and work areas are organised in consultation with the client upon arrival at the client's premises

1.2 Hazardous items are identified through consultation with client in accordance with workplace procedures

1.3 Protective coverings and drop cloths are placed in packing and traffic areas in accordance with workplace procedures

1.4 Checks are made that the client has prepared specific items for removal as required by workplace policy

1.5 Routes for the lifting and movement of furniture and effects to the vehicle are identified, and floors, pathways and/or stairs are checked to ensure they are free of obstacles and hazards before any goods are handled

2Move furniture items

2.1 Furniture and effects are selected, lifted, moved and loaded onto the vehicle in accordance with removals documentation, OH&S regulations and workplace procedures

2.2 Special lifting and moving equipment is selected and used in accordance with OH&S regulations and workplace procedures

3Load vehicle

3.1 Vehicle/container is prepared for the loading process and furniture and effects are stowed and secured in accordance with removals documentation, client's requirements and workplace procedures

3.2 Furniture and effects are unloaded from vehicle/container and stored in accordance with removals documentation and workplace policy

3.3 All required removals documentation is completed in accordance with workplace requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

This describes the essential knowledge and skills and their level required for this unit.

Required knowledge:

OH&S procedures and guidelines concerning the lifting and movement of loads

Risks when handling furniture and effects during a removal and related precautions to control the risk

Workplace procedures and policies for the handling of furniture and effects

Specialised lifting equipment and procedures for its use

Insurance rights and responsibilities

Housekeeping standards and procedures during a removal

Methods of securing a load on a removal vehicle

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when handling furniture and effects during removal operations

Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to the handling of furniture and effects during removal operations

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Complete documentation related to the handling of furniture and effects during removal operations

Work collaboratively with others when handling furniture and effects during removal operations

Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems that may occur when handling furniture and effects during removal operations in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Implement contingency plans for unexpected events when handling furniture and effects during removal operations

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to furniture or equipment

Operate and adapt to differences in furniture, equipment and operating environment in accordance with standard operating procedures

Identify and correctly use equipment required to handle furniture and effects

Identify dangerous goods and other items that are prohibited carriage during a removal and take appropriate action as per regulatory requirements and standard operating procedures

Service equipment in terms of maintenance schedule and standard operating procedures

Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:

the underpinning knowledge and skills

relevant legislation and workplace procedures

other relevant aspects of the range statement

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts

Resources for assessment include:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or

access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and

applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation

As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests

Practical assessment must occur:

through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or

in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Removal load may include:

any household and workplace furniture and effects including fridges, freezers, washing machines, bed ends, mattresses and bases, lamp shades, pendulum clocks, carpets, tables and chairs, television sets, stereo and audio equipment

Customers may be:

internal or external

Operations may be conducted:

in a range of work environments and weather conditions

by day or night

Work may be conducted in:

restricted spaces

exposed conditions

controlled or open environments

a workplace, warehouse or depot

in a vehicle on the road

at a client's home/workplace

Furniture and effects to be handled may:

require special precautions

Principles of loading a removal vehicle include:

light over heavy

glass turned inside

handles covered

proper use of hessians and pads on all items

tightly pack and secure all items

Hazards during the handling of furniture and effects may include:

lifting injuries

fire

vehicle movement during furniture loading/unloading operations

accident in use of equipment

being run over by load shifting equipment

broken glass

protruding features of furniture

dangerous goods

Handling operations may be carried out:

manually

with the aid of lifting equipment and/or appliance

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

established procedures

Personal protective equipment may include:

gloves

safety footwear

safety glasses

Information/documents may include:

industry codes for furniture removal operations

removals documentation

client instructions

workplace procedures and policies for the handling of furniture and effects during a removal

manufacturers specifications for equipment/tools

material safety data sheets where relevant

codes of practice including the National Standards for Manual Handling and the Industry Safety Code

award, enterprise bargaining agreement, other industrial arrangements

standards and certification requirements

quality assurance procedures

emergency procedures

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

state/territory mass and loading regulations

Australian Dangerous Goods Code and associated regulations

relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

This unit contains employability skills.