Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to restore, repair and prepare different material surfaces for the application of paint.

The unit includes planning and preparation for the work, preparation of new or uncoated surfaces, preparation of previously coated surfaces, preparation of previously wallpapered surfaces for painting and completion of clean-up activities.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency supports the attainment of the understanding and skills to prepare surfaces for painting, which may include working with others and as a member of a team.

Prerequisite units 

CPCCOHS2001A

Apply OHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry

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. Plan and prepare.

1.1. Work instructions and operational details are obtained using relevant information , confirmed and applied for planning and preparation  purposes.

1.2. Safety  (OHS ) requirements are followed in accordance with safety plans and policies.

1.3. Signage and barricade requirements are identified and implemented.

1.4. Tools and equipment  selected to carry out tasks are consistent with the requirements of the job, checked for serviceability and any faults are rectified or reported prior to commencement.

1.5. Materials quantity requirements are calculated in accordance with plans, specifications and quality requirements .

1.6. Materials appropriate to the work application are identified, obtained, prepared, safely handled and located ready for use.

1.7. Environmental requirements  are identified for the project in accordance with environmental plans and regulatory obligations and applied.

1.8. Finishes to be applied to all surfaces are identified in accordance with job requirements, and application that complies with manufacturer specifications.

2. Prepare new or uncoated surfaces for painting or clear finish.

2.1. Suitability of surface  for painting or clear finish application is determined in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and job specifications.

2.2. Surface preparation method is correctly selected in accordance with the environment, finish and substrate requirements.

2.3. Surface is prepared to manufacturer specifications in compliance with substrate requirements, specifications and relevant standards.

2.4. Surface imperfections are stopped, filled and sanded to a smooth finish ready for painting in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and job specifications.

3. Prepare previously coated surfaces for painting or clear finish.

3.1. Condition and nature of existing substrate and surface  material are determined and tested  in accordance with relevant standards.

3.2. Potential hazards are identified and correct procedures are used to reduce risks in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and job specifications.

3.3. Surface preparation method  is correctly selected in accordance with the environment, finish and substrate requirements.

3.4. Surfaces are prepared by removing unwanted coatings and loose debris.

3.5. Surface defects are repaired and imperfections stopped, filled and sanded to smooth finish ready for painting in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and job specifications.

4. Remove wallpaper and prepare surface for painting.

4.1. Type, condition and nature of existing type of wallpaper are determined prior to removal.

4.2. Surface preparation method is correctly selected in accordance with the environment, finish and substrate requirements.

4.3. Wallpaper is removed  using the most appropriate method.

4.4. Surfaces are prepared for paint application by removing loose debris.

4.5. Surface defects are repaired and imperfections stopped, filled and sanded to smooth finish ready for painting in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and job specifications.

5. Clean up.

5.1. Waste and unwanted materials are removed and placed into job waste bins or rubbish stockpile in accordance with sound work practices and compliance with environmental requirements.

5.2. Painting tools and equipment are cleaned with correct solutions and without damage, and are stored safely and effectively to manufacturer specifications.

5.3. Unused materials are sealed and stored/stacked in accordance with standard material handling practices and techniques and company requirements.

5.4. Work area is cleared and materials disposed of or recycled in a manner to avoid spontaneous combustion in accordance with legislation, regulations, codes of practice and job specification.

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:

• determine requirements
• enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand
• follow instructions
• read and interpret:

• documentation from a variety of sources
• drawings and specifications

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

• evaluating own actions and making judgments about performance and necessary improvements
• identifying and accurately reporting to appropriate personnel any faults in tools, equipment or materials
• organisational skills, including the ability to plan and set out work
• recognising procedures, following instructions, responding to change and contributing to workplace responsibilities, such as current work site environmental and sustainability frameworks or management systems
• teamwork skills to coordinate own 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:

• use a range of mobile technology, such as two-way radio and mobile phones
• voice and hand signals to access and understand site-specific instructions.

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge for this unit is:

• corrosion processes and techniques for the protection of metals
• hazards associated with lead, asbestos, solvents, chemicals and dust
• job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements
• material safety data sheets (MSDS)
• materials storage and environmentally friendly waste management
• paint application testing procedures
• painting and decorating terminology
• plans, drawings and specifications
• prevention and/or rectification procedures for surface coating defects
• procedures, products and techniques associated with preparation of surfaces
• procedures, products and techniques associated with removal of wallpaper
• processes for the calculation of material requirements
• properties and surface preparation requirements of new substrates
• quality requirements
• required protection for application of clear or stained finishes
• surface coating technology
• 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, provided that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate construction 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 the ability to:

• locate, interpret and apply relevant information, standards and specifications
• comply with site safety plan and OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice applicable to workplace operations
• comply with organisational policies and procedures including quality requirements
• safely and effectively operate and use tools, plant and equipment
• communicate and work effectively and safely with others
• prepare a minimum of four surfaces for painting to specification:

• one being a new gyprock surface of a minimum 8 square metres and one new surface of a minimum of 1 square metre or 8 lineal metres
• three being previously coated surfaces with one being an external timber surface, one an internal surface and one a metal or masonry surface

• remove wallpaper from a room, cubicle or equivalent and prepare the surface for painting.

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 mandatory 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 work 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.

Information  includes:

• diagrams or sketches
• instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel
• manufacturer specifications and instructions, where specified
• MSDS
• memos
• regulatory and legislative requirements pertaining to the preparation of surfaces for painting
• relevant Australian standards
• safe work procedures relating to the preparation of surfaces for painting
• signage
• verbal, written and graphical instructions
• work bulletins
• work schedules, plans and specifications.

Planning and preparation  include:

• assessment of conditions and hazards
• determination of work requirements and safety plans and policies
• equipment defect identification
• work site inspection.

Safety  (OHS ) is to be in accordance with state and territory legislation and regulations and project safety plan and may include:

• emergency procedures, including extinguishing fires, organisational first aid requirements and evacuation
• handling activities that may require the assistance of others or the use of manual or mechanical lifting devices where size, weight or other issues, such as a disability are a factor
• hazard control
• hazardous materials and substances
• organisational first aid
• PPE prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices
• safe operating procedures, including the conduct of operational risk assessment and treatments associated with:

• earth leakage boxes
• electrical and fire and/or explosion from combustible materials
• falling objects
• lighting
• power cables, including overhead service trays, cables and conduits
• restricted access barriers
• solvents, lead, asbestos, chemicals, fumes/gases, manual handling
• surrounding structures
• traffic control
• trip hazards
• work site visitors and the public
• working at heights
• working in confined spaces
• working in proximity to others

• use of firefighting equipment
• use of tools and equipment
• workplace environmental requirements and safety.

Tools and equipment  include:

• drop sheets
• duster brushes
• filling knives and blades
• hammers
• hand sanders
• heat removal equipment
• mechanical sanders
• nail punches
• putty knives
• scrapers
• water blasters
• wire brushes.

Quality requirements  include:

• internal company quality policy and standards
• manufacturer specifications, where specified
• relevant regulations, including Australian standards
• workplace operations and procedures.

Environmental requirements  include:

• clean-up management
• dust and noise
• stormwater protection
• waste management.

Surface  includes:

• horizontal or vertical
• inclined or curved
• internal or external
• timber, metal, masonry, concrete or plaster.

Existing substrate and surface  may be contaminated with:

• dust
• films of grease
• mild chalking
• mild efflorescence
• mould
• paint films that are:

• blistering
• flaking
• peeling
• cracking

• smoke damage.

Tested  includes:

• adhesion test
• solvent test
• testing procedures to determine the presence of lead-based paints and asbestos.

Surface preparation method  includes:

• chemical stripping
• grinding
• sanding
• scraping (mechanical and hand)
• use of heat guns
• washing down
• water blasting.

Wallpaper removal  methods include:

• dry stripping
• soaking
• steam stripping.

Unit sector 

Construction

Functional area