Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to maintain chlorine disinfection systems for domestic treatment plants.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency supports development of skills to maintain a range of effluent treatment systems.

Site location for work application may be domestic and may be a new work site or an existing structure being renovated, extended, restored or maintained.

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. Plans and specifications are obtained.

1.2. Safety  (OHS ) requirements associated with maintaining effluent disinfection systems, and workplace environmental requirements , are adhered to throughout the work.

1.3. Quality assurance  requirements are identified and adhered to in accordance with workplace requirements.

1.4. Tasks are planned and sequenced in conjunction with others involved in or affected by the work.

1.5. Tools and equipment , including personal protective equipment, are selected and checked for serviceability.

1.6. Work area is prepared to support efficient maintenance of the effluent disinfection system.

2. Identify system requirements.

2.1. Request for maintenance approval is submitted to regulatory authorities in accordance with their requirements.

2.2. Site is inspected to confirm compliance with standards and authorities' requirements for effluent drainage systems.

2.3. Detention capacity, effluent flow and effluent disinfection flow in the contact chamber are checked for compliance with regulatory authorities' requirement for effluent disinfection.

2.4. Quantity and type of materials required are calculated from design drawings and specifications in compliance with standards, local authorities' and manufacturer requirements, and job plans and specifications.

2.5. Materials  are identified, ordered and collected in accordance with workplace procedures.

2.6. Materials are checked for compliance with docket and order form, and for acceptable condition.

3. Maintain effluent disinfection system.

3.1. System is maintained in accordance with standards and authorities' requirements to ensure effluent is thoroughly mixed, discharge meets treatment requirements and access is maintained.

3.2. Effluent is tested for total chlorine, and dosage rate is adjusted to achieve the levels and stability required by standards and regulatory authorities.

3.3. Inspection chamber is returned to normal operation.

3.4. Relevant authorities are advised of the completion of the work and of any continuing inspection and maintenance requirements.

4. Clean up.

4.1. Work area is cleared, with materials disposed of or recycled in accordance with state or territory statutory and regulatory authority  legislation.

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

4.3. Information  is accessed and documentation, including advice of completion and subsequent inspection and maintenance requirements of the system, is completed in accordance with regulatory authorities and 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:

• access information
• determine requirements
• enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand
• follow instructions
• plan and sequence tasks with others
• read and interpret:

• drawings and specifications
• documentation from a variety of sources

• use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences
• use and interpret non-verbal communication, such as hand signals

• identifying and accurately reporting to appropriate personnel any faults in tools, equipment or materials
• maintaining an effluent disinfection system for the treatment of secondary effluent in a domestic treatment plant or installations identified by regulatory authorities as requiring an effluent disinfection system
• numeracy skills to apply measurements and calculations
• organisational skills, including the ability to plan and set out work
• written skills to:

• complete documentation, including advice of completion of work and continuing inspection and maintenance requirements
• submit request for maintenance approval
• complete other relevant workplace documentation

• 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:

• accessing information and the processes for calculating material requirements
• inspection and assessment procedures for effluent disinfection systems
• job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements (SWMS)
• principles of drainage design
• principles of effluent chlorine disinfection and the operation of effluent chlorine disinfection systems, including their adjustment to meet necessary output measures
• relevant statutory and authority requirements related to the installation of effluent disinfection systems
• SI system of measurements
• standards applicable to the installation
• workplace and equipment 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 to maintain effluent disinfection systems
• applying safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including the use of personal protective clothing and equipment
• as a minimum the ability to, given the plans and specifications, demonstrate the maintenance procedure for an effluent disinfection system for a domestic treatment plant, ensuring:

• correct identification of maintenance requirements
• correct selection and use of appropriate processes, tools and equipment
• completing all work to specification
• compliance with regulations, standards and organisational quality procedures and processes
• communicating 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
• 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  cover water quality management and may include:

• clean-up protection
• stormwater protection
• waste management.

Quality assurance  requirements may include:

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

Tools and equipment  may include:

• hand and power tools
• levelling equipment
• lifting equipment
• measuring equipment
• testing equipment.

Materials  may include:

• concrete effluent disinfection systems
• fibreglass effluent disinfection systems
• other approved materials.

Statutory and regulatory authorities  include:

• state or territory statutory authority
• statutory plumbing authority.

Information  may include:

• charts and hand drawings
• diagrams or sketches
• instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel
• manufacturer specifications and instructions
• material safety data sheets (MSDS)
• memos
• organisation work specifications and requirements
• regulatory and legislative requirements, particularly those pertaining to:

• building codes
• OHS and environmental requirements
• plumbing regulations

• relevant Australian standards
• safe work procedures relating to the maintenance of effluent disinfection systems
• signage
• verbal, written and graphical instructions
• work bulletins
• work schedules, plans and specifications.

Unit sector 

Plumbing and services

Co-requisite units 

Nil

Functional area