Elements and Performance Criteria

Appropriate person(s) may include
managers
person(s) in control of work site(s)
supervisors.

Assess work site may include issues such as
amount and type of cleaning required
client specifications
health and safety matters
identifying pre-existing damage
number and skills of cleaners available
security procedures
size and condition of the work site
type and suitability of equipment.

Chemicals may include
acid cleaners
alkaline cleaners
neutral cleaners
solvent cleaners.

Company requirements may include
access and equity policy, principles and practice
business and performance plans
client communication procedures
client confidentiality procedures
client service standards
communication channels and reporting procedures
company goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes
company issued identification badge/card/pass
company policy and procedures
company service standards
dress and presentation requirements
duty of care, code of conduct, code of ethics
emergency response and evacuation procedures
maintenance procedures for equipment and PPE
OHS control procedures (e.g. health and safety plans, job plans, job safety analysis, risk assessments, safe operating practices/procedures, safe work instructions, work method statements, safe system of work statements)
OHS policies and procedures
personnel practices and guidelines
policies and procedures relating to own role, responsibility and delegation
quality and continuous improvement processes and standards
records and information systems and processes
rights and responsibilities of employees and employers
training (induction, refresher and new skills) materials
use of contractors
work site access security clearance procedures.

Consumables may include
air freshener
hand towel
liner bags
soap
toilet paper.

Environmental requirements may include
clean-up, containment and/or isolation
company policies and guidelines
environmental protection agency and government department regulations and guidelines
hazardous materials handling
local government regulations/bylaws.

Equipment may include
access equipment - various types
bins - various types
brooms - various types
buckets
buffers - various types
cleaning trolley
cloths
cobwebber
doodle bag holder
drop sheets
drying equipment
dust pans and brushes
dusters - various types
extension poles
extraction units, wand and hand tools
hoses
ladders
mops
personal protective equipment
polishers
pressure-washing equipment and attachments
safety equipment - various types
scouring pads
scrapers
scrubbers - various types
sponges
spray bottles
squeegee
steam cleaners
sweepers - various types
vacuum cleaners and attachments - various types
window cleaning equipment
work site communication devices.

Hazards may include
allergic reactions to chemicals and/or equipment, including latex allergies
biological waste
bites and stings
blood and blood-stained products
broken glass and other sharp surfaces
chemical containers and/or decanted chemical storage containers that are labelled incorrectly
confined/restricted spaces
contaminated clothing, chemicals and/or equipment
damaged or inappropriate equipment
dust and fibres
electrical hazards arising from cables, electrical fittings (switches and lights) and untested electrical equipment
environmental impact
extremes of heat and temperature
fatigue
fire
gas
heights
human waste (faeces, urine, vomit)
inadequate lighting and ventilation
infectious and zoonotic diseases e.g. scabies/Q fever
inhaling chemical fumes
leaks, spill, splash and spray
manual handling techniques including awkward and repetitive postures
mobile/vehicle hazards around plant and vehicles
moving and/or unguarded machinery and equipment
noise
occupational violence and bullying
poor manual handling techniques
poor personal hygiene practices
repetitive motion, force and vibration
synergistic chemical reactions (hazardous incompatibility or reactivity)
syringes or other sharps
ultraviolet light
underfoot conditions e.g. slippery, uneven and rough surfaces
unrestricted people access
waste and waste disposal
work in isolated/remote environments.

Legislative requirements may include
Australian Standards, quality assurance and certification requirements
award and enterprise agreements
codes of practice
national industry standards
relevant Commonwealth/state/territory legislation and local government regulations that affect company operation:
anti-discrimination and diversity
availability of chemical registers/manifests
chemical controls
consumer protection
environmental protection issues
equal employment opportunity
freedom of information
industrial equipment certificates of competency or licences
industrial relations
OHS Acts and regulations
privacy
trade practices
workplace consultative arrangements.

Manufacturers' specifications may include
equipment operational manuals
instructional guides
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
other resources supplied by the manufacturer (such as laminated cards notices, wall posters)
product labels
safety instructions pre-printed on equipment.

Occupational health and safety* (OHS) requirements may relate to
allergic reactions (contact dermatitis, etc)
communication devices for remote and isolated locations e.g. mobile phone, two-way radio, etc
dermatoxicological control and prevention measures
hazard identification and risk assessment mechanisms
hazard reporting
hierarchy of hazard control procedures
injury, dangerous occurrence and incident reporting requirements
keeping access ways clear from obstruction
maintaining clear access ways
maintenance procedures for equipment and PPE
national industry standards/codes of practice
OHS control procedures (e.g. health and safety plans, job plans, job safety analysis, risk assessments, safe operating practices/procedures, safe work instructions, work method statements, safe system of work statements)
protection from hazardous substances, noise and dust
protection of people in the workplace
routes of entry and potential symptoms of exposure from chemicals
safety training (induction and refresher)
ultraviolet light
up-to-date electrical test and tag compliance
use of chemicals in accordance with labels
use, storage and maintenance of equipment in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and equipment operating manuals
use, storage and maintenance of personal protective equipment and clothing.
* Also known as occupational safety and health or workplace health and safety

Personal protective equipment (PPE) may include
ear muffs/plugs
gloves - non-permeable
goggles
high-visibility vests/clothing
overalls and other protective clothing
respirator
safety glasses
safety shoes
splash-proof face masks
sun protection
tongs
ultraviolet protection
wet-work clothing.

Personnel may include
client's staff
fellow workers (colleagues)
general public
venue/facility/building/shopping centre staff/management.

Rights and responsibilities of employees may relate to
confidentiality and privacy rights
duty of care
knowing the appropriate personnel for reporting purposes
knowing the location of manuals and/or related documents
knowing the terms and conditions of own employment
knowing the workplace procedures
protection from discrimination and sexual harassment.

Rights and responsibilities of employers may relate to
duty of care
providing a safe environment free from discrimination and sexual harassment (see relevant state and Commonwealth anti-discrimination legislation)
providing a safe workplace in accordance with OHS legislation, codes of practice, regulations and standards
providing information and training in work tasks, OHS and other employment related matters
the right to dismiss you if you (see the Commonwealth
are negligent, careless or cause an accident
commit a criminal offence
commit acts of disloyalty such as revealing confidential information
use abusive language.

Work order information may include
access to work site and egress points
completion times/dates
insufficient people to complete the work task(s)
job requirements and tasks
legislative requirements and local government
OHS requirements and emergency response procedures
resource requirements - equipment and chemicals
specific client requirements e.g. relationships with other activities, dress and presentation requirements
use of signage and barriers
work schedules
working in isolated and remote locations
work site contact person(s).

Work restrictions may include
amount of cleaning anticipated
client activity
employee(s) level of literacy and/or communication skills
faulty or inappropriate equipment
site hazards
skills of the work unit/team
staffing resources
time limitations.

Critical aspects of competency
Assessing the cleaning task.
Assessing the hazards on the work site.
Assessing effectiveness of work site security arrangements.
Selecting suitable cleaning methods.
Compliance with company and legislative/regulatory requirements.

Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria
Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below.
Equipment types and functions.
Product knowledge including manufacturers' specifications for products being used.
Hazards of storing, preparing, using and disposing chemicals.
First Aid and emergency response procedures.
Awareness of applicable legislation, regulations, codes of practice and industry advisory standards.
Awareness of OHS legislation and procedures.
Communication and negotiation techniques.
Company management structure and reporting procedures.
Company procedures and practices.
Emergency response and evacuation procedures.
Injury, dangerous occurrence and incident reporting.
Knowledge of biological and viral control procedures.
Routes of entry and potential symptoms of exposure from chemicals.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These are:

applying correct manual handling techniques
communicating clearly and concisely using written and verbal modes
customer service
displaying team leadership
reading, interpreting and responding appropriately to directions and safety instructions in equipment manuals, MSDS and on chemical labels
handling and disposal of chemicals safely
handling and disposal of contaminated and toxic waste
performing the mathematical calculations required for the dilution and mixing of chemicals as specified on product labels
planning
problem solving
reading and writing to prepare legible job cards, timesheets and incident reports
requesting advice or further information
seeking and receiving feedback
sourcing, organising and recording information
working on an individual basis and within a team.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with:

PRMCL35B Maintain a cleaning storage area
PRMCMN201A Participate in workplace safety arrangements.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

access to a suitable work site or venue
access to suitable equipment and chemicals
access to suitable personal protective equipment
work order instructions, work plans and schedules
assessment instruments, including personal planner and assessment record book.

Gaining evidence to assess this unit
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, the competency should be demonstrated over a period of time and be observed by the assessor.
The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations that may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activity normally experienced in the workplace.
Assessment of competency may be made through practical demonstration in the work environment or in a simulated work environment.

Communicating ideas and information
Confirm own role and responsibilities with colleagues and supervisors to ensure compliance with work order and company requirements such as OHS. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Collect and analyse information regarding work site in line with company procedures. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Plan and prioritise work tasks to meet company and client requirements in an efficient and effective manner. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Provide support and assistance to team members to complete work tasks within designated timelines and to meet company requirements. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Calculate area(s) to be cleaned and measure and carry out chemical applications. (1)

Solving problems
Discuss with management/clients/work site managers, supervisors and team members how to help solve problems that may arise. (1)

Using technology
Record data for future use such as stock control. (1)