Unit of competency

Modification History

Release 1. Supersedes MSTGN2012 Work safely with chemicals in TCF operations.

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to handle and work with chemical substances and preparations that are used in sectors of the textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) industry. It includes cleaning chemicals and solvents commonly used in laundry operations and chemicals, dyes and other substances that are used in textile production.

This unit applies to all sectors of the TCF industry. While the unit of competency relates to safe practices for all chemical handling, and use of a range of chemical substances, the application of the unit and the evidence requirements may focus on one or more industry sectors or workplace contexts.

Work may be conducted in small to large scale enterprises and may involve individual and team activities. Work is performed within defined procedures under direct supervision.

Licensing, legislative or certification requirements to work safely with chemicals may apply in some contexts and users should check with relevant authorities.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Competency Field

Generic

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.

• Reading skills to interpret chemical labels, warnings, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) and key requirements of industry standards
• Numeracy skills to interpret ratios and accurately measure and mix chemicals, using mL, L.

Other foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit.

Unit Mapping Information

Release 1. Supersedes MSTGN2012 Work safely with chemicals in TCF operations.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=a203ec5c-de7d-406b-b3e1-8f1a9b76e92e

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Release 1. Supersedes MSTGN2012 Work safely with chemicals in TCF operations.

Performance Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has completed the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit, and:

• worked safely with 2 different chemicals typically used in own workplace, including:

• identifying hazards and controlling risks for each chemical
• locating and interpreting the safety data sheet (SDS) for each chemical
• applying Australian or industry standards, relevant to job role and chemical used
• measuring, handling, transferring, storing and disposing of each chemical safely and in accordance with regulatory requirements

• differentiated between toxic agents, corrosives, reactives, and flammables and combustible chemicals.

Knowledge Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has knowledge of:

• safe work practices and procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• key requirements of Australian Standards, industry regulations and codes of practice that govern the control of chemicals, relevant to the workplace (such as Australian/New Zealand Standard™ AS/NZS 4146:2000 Laundry practice, applicable to a laundry workplace)
• characteristics of different chemicals and solvents, toxic agents, corrosives, reactives, and flammables and combustibles, relevant to sector and workplace:

• builder
• caustic alkali
• chlorine bleach
• detergent
• fabric conditioner
• hydrocarbon
• laundry sour
• liquid silicon
• oxybleach
• perchlorethylene
• starch
• white spirit

• characteristics of preparations used in textile production:

• chemicals
• cleaning agents
• dyes
• other liquid or particle additives used in textile production
• solvents
• substances used in the preparation of yarns or textile products for production processes

• workplace information, including:

• SDS for hazardous substances in use
• signage and labelling of chemicals
• the meaning of common SDS terms
• workplace procedures for using chemicals

• personal responsibilities in the control of chemicals in the workplace
• risks and hazards, including:

• chemical fires
• exposure to chemicals, other harmful substances, machinery and equipment
• exposure to perchlorethylene, dyes or other cleaning chemicals via absorption, inhalation or ingestion
• machine self-dosing failures
• mixing of chemicals
• spills and leaks in the workplace

• risk and hazard control measures:

• chemical spill clean-up procedures
• communication protocols
• guards and safety devices
• housekeeping
• inspections
• isolation procedures
• traffic and pedestrian flow regulation

• appropriate storage conditions for chemicals, including:

• containers used
• labelling
• organisation
• security
• temperature

• PPE relevant to job role and chemical used:

• air-supplied or self-contained helmets
• goggles or face shields
• respirators
• safety boots, gloves and appropriate clothes/garments

• risks associated with operating machinery or equipment that use chemicals
• safe disposal of relevant chemicals in accordance with regulatory requirements
• procedures for the safe and cost-effective measuring and mixing of chemicals and other agents
• workplace procedures for reporting emergencies or work health and safety issues, control of chemical spills and fires, hazard identification and control measures
• workplace reporting and documentation requirements.

Assessment Conditions

Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions and contingencies. The following conditions must be met for this unit:

• use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:

• a textile clothing or footwear (TCF) production or processing environment set up with access to chemicals and relevant safety information and PPE for safe chemical use.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=a203ec5c-de7d-406b-b3e1-8f1a9b76e92e