Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1.

Identify upholstery construction.

1.1.

Job requirements are identified, upholstery is assessed, and yarn type and fibre form are identified and confirmed.

1.2.

Weave type and texture style are determined by observation and tactile methods according to company requirements.

2.

Assess and classify upholstery fabric.

2.1.

Upholstery fabric  sample is obtained and tested to identify fibre according to manufacturer specifications, company and health and safety requirements .

2.2.

Fibre is inspected to determine probable dye methods used during manufacture.

2.3.

Pre-existing conditions are identified and reported according to company requirements.

2.4.

Colour-fastness of fabric upholstery is tested  and any previously applied topical treatments are identified.

3.

Assess furniture construction.

3.1.

Backing materials and cushion filling are identified by opening cushioning where possible or inspecting behind buttons according to company requirements.

3.2.

Filling material in piping is inspected and classified according to manufacturer specifications and company requirements.

4.

Determine cleaning methods.

4.1.

Type of soil  is identified and cleaning techniques are selected according to company requirements.

4.2.

Cleaning processes and expected outcomes are explained clearly to client and client approval to proceed is obtained.

5.

Prepare to apply cleaning techniques to fabric upholstery.

5.1.

Work site hazards  are identified and risks controlled according to company, legislative, and health and safety requirements.

5.2.

Health and safety requirements for the site and type of work to be undertaken are identified and applied to planning.

5.3.

Personal protective equipment  (PPE) is selected and used according to manufacturer specifications, and health and safety and company requirements.

5.4.

Equipment  is selected according to job requirements, checked for serviceability, and faults are rectified or reported before starting work.

5.5.

Chemicals are selected and prepared according to manufacturer specifications, and health and safety and company requirements.

5.6.

Signs and barricades are selected and installed according to health and safety, and company requirements.

6.

Apply cleaning techniques to fabric upholstery.

6.1.

Furniture and fittings are removed to allow cleaning tasks to be performed.

6.2.

Soil is removed and fabric upholstery is cleaned  according to manufacturer specifications and company requirements.

7.

Tidy work site.

7.1.

Collected soil and waste are disposed of according to client and company specifications, and legislative, environmental, and health and safety requirements.

7.2.

Furniture and fittings are returned to original position according to client requests, work order, and health and safety requirements.

7.3.

Signs and barricades are removed according to work order, and health and safety, and company requirements.

8.

Clean and safety check equipment, and store equipment and chemicals.

8.1.

Equipment and PPE are cleaned, safety checked and stored according to manufacturer specifications and environmental, health and safety, and company requirements.

8.2.

Unused chemicals are stored or disposed of according to manufacturer specifications, and health and safety and company requirements.

This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria.

Skill 

Performance feature 

Learning skills to:

• recognise different fabrics, fibres and upholstery methods of construction based on previous experience.

Numeracy skills to:

• dilute and mix required chemicals using whole numbers and routine fractions.

Oral communication skills to:

• ask questions to clarify job requirements
• respond clearly and concisely to client questions.

Reading skills to:

• interpret directions and safety instructions, including:

• equipment operating manuals
• product labels
• safety data sheets (SDS).

Writing skills to:

• document and report faults in equipment to manufacturer and other personnel.

Teamwork skills to:

• work collaboratively with others when cleaning at the same work site.

Initiative and enterprise skills to:

• identify and rectify faults in own work.

This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.

Fabrics  must include at least three of the following:

• acetate
• acrylic
• cotton
• jute
• linen
• nylon
• polyester
• polypropylene
• rayon
• silk
• wool.

Health and safety requirements  must include:

• access to communication devices when working alone
• compliance with Safe Work Australia regulations and guidelines
• electrical equipment test and tag compliance
• emergency response procedures
• environmental controls
• hazard signs and barricades
• health and safety induction and refresher training
• manual handling techniques
• processes for safely dispensing chemicals
• risk assessment procedures, including:

• hazardous chemicals register
• hierarchy of control
• job safety analyses (JSA) for low-risk situations
• safe work method statements (SWMS) for high-risk situations
• incident reporting

• SDS
• selection and use of required PPE
• storage and maintenance of equipment according to manufacturer specifications
• use of first aid according to SDS information.

Testing  of colour-fastness must use at least one of the following:

• burn test
• chemical test
• sink and float test.

Types of soil  must include at least three of the following:

• beverage
• blood
• candle wax
• chewing gum
• dye stuffs
• food
• glue
• grease
• human and animal waste
• hydrocarbons
• lipstick
• medicine
• mud and dirt
• nail polish
• paint
• plant stains
• shoe polish
• tar.

Hazards  that must be assessed include:

• biological and animal waste
• blood and blood-stained products
• confined and restricted spaces
• contaminated clothing, materials and equipment
• dust and fibres
• electrical hazards
• heights
• inadequate lighting and ventilation
• indoor air quality
• infectious diseases
• noise.

Personal protective equipment  must include at least two of the following:

• disposable respirators
• eye protection
• gloves
• safety shoes.

Equipment  must include at least one of the following:

• air filtration device
• dehumidification equipment
• extraction tools and units
• moisture detection equipment.

Cleaned  must include

• selecting and using required:

• equipment
• PPE
• chemicals
• cleaning techniques.