Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to safely handle and store plumbing materials and to identify and address environmental concerns and associated hazards, including the disposal of waste.

It addresses OHS and environmental requirements to minimise risk to the health and safety of personnel and to the environment.

Application of the unit 

The unit applies to work conducted in a stores holding facility, a work vehicle or on a work site.

Site location for work application may be a new construction site, an existing structure being renovated or extended, service restoration or maintenance, an on or off-site workshop, a work vehicle or a customer's premises.

Prerequisite units 

CPCPCM2023A

Carry out OHS requirements

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for work.

1.1. Safety  (OHS ) requirements associated with handling and storage of plumbing materials, and workplace environmental requirements , are adhered to throughout the work.

1.2. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected, correctly fitted and used in accordance with the requirements of the job.

1.3. Quality assurance  requirements for company operations are identified and adhered to.

1.4. Environmental and waste management requirements are recognised and applied.

1.5. Tools and equipment for handling materials and goods, non-toxic waste and liquids are selected for the job requirements, checked for serviceability and any faults reported to supervisor.

1.6. Run-off devices are installed and the maintenance process is determined.

1.7. Material safety data sheets (MSDS) are located and interpreted for plumbing materials to be handled.

2. Identify hazard and risk control information and measures.

2.1. Hazards are recognised and reported to designated personnel according to workplace procedures.

2.2. Procedures, instructions and information  for controlling hazards and risks are identified and adhered to.

2.3. Procedures for dealing with accidents, fires and emergencies are adhered to.

3. Handle, sort and stack materials.

3.1. Materials are identified and selected for sorting, stacking and stockpiling according to supervisor instructions or workplace requirements.

3.2. Handling characteristics of materials are identified and safe manual handling techniques are applied.

3.3. Specific handling requirements and protection for non-hazardous materials and chemicals are applied.

3.4. Materials are stored, stacked, stockpiled and protected, clear of traffic ways, for ease of identification, retrieval, prevention of damage and cross-contamination in accordance with workplace requirements.

3.5. Signage and barricades are erected to isolate stored materials from workplace traffic or access.

3.6. Hazardous material is identified for separate handling by authorised persons.

3.7. Dust suppression procedures are used to minimise health risk to personnel in the workplace vicinity.

4. Store and transport materials.

4.1. Materials  are stored and transported correctly and safely according to MSDS and statutory and regulatory authorities'  requirements.

4.2. Hazardous material is identified for separate storage, transport and handling by authorised persons.

4.3. Materials, including flammable liquid and material, gases, bulk liquids and petroleum products are stored in their allocated areas and identified bins and containers in accordance with workplace requirements.

4.4. Hazardous materials are transported and handled in accordance with regulatory requirements, including appropriate signage, markings and safety precautions.

4.5. Stormwater system is protected.

5. Clean up.

5.1. Tools , equipment  and signage are cleaned, checked, maintained and stored in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and workplace procedures.

5.2. Work area is cleared and materials are disposed of or recycled in accordance with state and territory legislation and workplace procedures.

5.3. Spilt liquids and waste material are removed and disposed of in accordance with environmental and safety plans and workplace requirements.

5.4. Information is accessed and documentation completed in accordance with workplace requirements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

Required skills for this unit are:

• communication skills to:

• complete written workplace documentation
• enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand
• read and interpret drawings, specifications and documentation from a variety of sources
• report hazards and follow instructions
• use and interpret non-verbal communication, such as hand signals
• use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

• identifying and accurately reporting to appropriate personnel any faults in tools, equipment or materials
• identifying handling and storage requirements for materials used in a plumbing work environment, including identifying, handling and disposing of toxic and non-toxic waste
• numeracy skills to apply measurements and calculations
• organisational skills, including the ability to plan and set out work
• teamwork skills to work with others to action tasks and relate to people from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities
• technological skills to:

• access and understand site-specific instructions in a variety of media
• use mobile communication technology.

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge for this unit is:

• categories of materials and their safe handling, storage and transport requirements
• environmental plans, air and water contamination, erosion and sedimentation
• job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements (SWMS)
• MSDS
• OHS and environmental legislation and requirements
• types of waste and their disposal, including an awareness only of the requirements for asbestos handling and disposal
• workplace hazard reporting and hazard handling procedures
• workplace processes and procedures
• workplace safety requirements.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

Overview of assessment 

This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment providing that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate plumbing and services workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:

• locating, interpreting and applying relevant information, standards and specifications for handling and storing plumbing materials
• applying safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including the use of personal protective clothing and equipment
• as a minimum, the ability to complete the following in respect of handling and storing plumbing materials:

• identify categories of toxic and non-toxic waste and indicate specific handling and disposal requirements
• indicate the requirement for handling and storing toxic materials
• indicate the requirement for transporting hazardous materials, such as oxy-acetylene cylinders
• plan the lay out of a facility for the storing and stacking of pipes, fittings, components, non-toxic liquids and flammable liquids, and materials in a workshop and a work site
• plan the lay out of a work vehicle for the carriage of plumbing materials

• carrying out the above work, ensuring:

• correct identification of handling, storing and disposal procedures
• correctly addressing OHS and environmental concerns
• correct selection and use of appropriate processes, tools and equipment
• completion of all work to specification
• compliance with regulations, standards and organisational quality procedures and processes
• communication and working effectively and safely with others.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

• an induction procedure and requirement
• realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the minimum task requirements
• relevant specifications and work instructions
• tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices
• support materials appropriate to activity
• workplace instructions relating to safe working practices and addressing hazards and emergencies
• material safety data sheets
• research resources, including industry related systems information.

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment 

Assessment methods must:

• satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package
• include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application
• reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles
• confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

• competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
• where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge
• all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Safety  (OHS ) is to be in accordance with commonwealth, state and territory legislation and regulations and may include:

• handling of materials
• hazard control
• hazardous materials and substances
• hazards, including:

• airborne contamination
• faulty or damaged components or fittings
• fires
• gas leaks
• toxic waste, such as asbestos
• unsafe storage of materials
• unsafe work practices
• water contamination
• water egress

• personal protective clothing and equipment prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices
• use of firefighting equipment
• use of first aid equipment
• use of tools and equipment
• workplace environment and safety.

Environmental requirements  are to address:

• air pollution precautions
• clean-up protection
• stormwater protection
• waste management.

Quality assurance  requirements may include:

• Australian standards
• Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
• internal company quality assurance policy and risk management strategy
• International Standards Organisation
• site safety plan
• workplace operations and procedures.

Information  may include:

• charts and hand drawings
• diagrams or sketches
• instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel
• job drawings
• manufacturer specifications and instructions
• MSDS
• memos
• organisational work specifications and requirements
• regulatory and legislative requirements, particularly those pertaining to:

• building codes
• OHS and environmental requirements
• plumbing and gasfitting authority regulations

• relevant Australian standards
• safe work procedures relating to handling and storing plumbing materials, including the disposal of waste
• signage
• verbal, written and graphical instructions
• work bulletins
• work schedules, plans and specifications.

Materials  for handling and storing plumbing materials include:

• plumbing stores and materials which may be:

• airborne
• gaseous
• liquid
• non-toxic
• solid.

Statutory and regulatory authorities  include:

• state or territory statutory authority
• statutory gasfitting authority
• statutory plumbing authority.

Tools and equipment  include manual handling equipment, such as:

• barriers
• chain blocks
• forklifts
• hand trolleys
• hoists and jacks
• rollers
• signage.

Unit sector 

Plumbing and services

Co-requisite units 

Nil

Functional area