Modification History
Not Applicable
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required for the correct identification of upholstery fibre and construction. The unit requires the ability to identify upholstery construction, including the backing materials used, classify the upholstery fibre and assess the furniture construction.
The correct identification of these elements is an essential activity prior to undertaking any cleaning, maintenance or restorative work on fabric type upholstery. The application of this unit requires the attainment of a wide range of underpinning knowledge, as well as completion of a number of basic testing procedures.
Application of the Unit
Not Applicable
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not Applicable
Pre-Requisites
Not Applicable
Employability Skills Information
Not Applicable
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Not Applicable
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
||
1 Identify upholstery construction |
1.1 Review work order and assess upholstery to determine yarn type and fibre form used in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and company requirements 1.2 Establish weave type and texture style using observation and tactile methods in accordance with company requirements |
||
2 Classify upholstery fibre |
2.1 Obtain a small upholstery fibre sample from inside the cushion or other source and perform appropriate test (s ) to identify fibre (s ) in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and occupational health and safety (OHS ) and company requirements 2.2 Inspect fibre to determine possible dye methods used during manufacture in accordance with company requirements 2.3 Identify any pre -existing conditions and report them to the appropriate person in accordance with work order and company requirements |
||
3 Inspect furniture construction |
3.1 Identify backing materials and cushion filling by opening cushioning where possible or inspecting behind buttons in accordance with work order and company requirements 3.2 Inspect piping for filling material used and classify in accordance with manufacturers' specifications , work order and company requirements |
Required Skills and Knowledge
Refer to Evidence Guide
Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide identifies the requirements to be demonstrated to confirm competence for this unit. Assessment must confirm sufficient ability to use appropriate skills and knowledge to identify upholstery fibre and construction. Assessment of performance should be over a period of time covering all categories within the range statement that are applicable in the working environment.
Critical aspects of competency
- Accurate analysis of data gathered during visual and tactile inspection.
- Accurate identification of the type of yarns, fibres, methods, dyes, filling material and backing used in upholstery making.
- Selection of appropriate testing techniques.
- Compliance with company and legislative requirements.
- Outcomes achieved in relation to customer work order and company requirements.
Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria
Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below.
- Types of yarns, fibres and weaves used in upholstery construction and their characteristic features.
- Knowledge of a range of dying methods.
- Knowledge of the range of upholstery manufacture methods.
- Awareness of applicable legislation, regulations, codes of practice and industry advisory standards.
- OHS legislation and procedures.
- Company management structure and reporting procedures.
- Company procedures and practices
- Emergency response and evacuation procedures.
- Injury, dangerous occurrence and incident reporting.
- Knowledge of biological and viral control procedures.
- Routes of entry and potential symptoms of exposure from chemicals.
Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria
To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These are:
- communicating clearly and concisely using written and verbal modes
- handling and disposing of chemicals safely
- reading, interpreting and responding to directions and safety instructions in equipment manuals and MSDS and on chemical labels
- requesting advice or further information
- seeking and receiving feedback
- sourcing, organising and recording information
- working on an individual basis or as part of a team.
Resources required to assess this unit
The following resources should be available:
- access to a suitable work site or venue with upholstered furniture
- access to a range of samples of upholstery materials
- access to suitable equipment and chemicals
- access to personal protective equipment
- assessment instruments, including personal planner and assessment record book.
Gaining evidence to assess this unit
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, the competency should be demonstrated over a period of time and be observed by the assessor.
The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations, which may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.
Assessment of competency may be made through written or oral examination, practical demonstration in the work environment or in a simulated work environment.
Key competency levels
There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life that are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added.
Information below highlights how these processes are applied in this unit of competency.
1 |
Perform the process |
2 |
Perform and administer the process |
3 |
Perform, administer and design the process |
|||
How can communication of ideas and information be applied? |
2 |
Disseminate relevant information to customers, work groups and other appropriate people through discussion. |
||||||
How can information be collected , analysed and organised ? |
2 |
Measure information against legislative, customer and organisational requirements through observation and discussion with the work group. |
||||||
How are activities planned and organised ? |
2 |
Organise and prioritise work tasks to meet work order and company requirements. |
||||||
How can teamwork be applied? |
2 |
Apply principles in collaborative and consultative ways that contribute to a safe and effective work environment. |
||||||
How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques be applied? |
2 |
Calculate floor area to be cleaned and measure and carry out chemical applications. |
||||||
How can problem-solving skills be applied? |
2 |
Apply problem-solving skills to hazard identification and risk assessment. |
||||||
How can the use of technology be applied? |
2 |
Enter, amend and access work-related information via electronic equipment. |
Range Statement
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement links the required knowledge and organisational and technical requirements to the workplace context. It describes any contextual variables that will be used or encountered when applying the competency in work situations. It allows for different work practices and work and knowledge requirements as well as for differences between organisations and workplaces. The following variables are listed in alphabetical order and may be present for this particular unit.
Appropriate person (s ) may include:
- clients
- colleagues
- managers
- person(s) in control of work site(s)
- supervisors.
Backing materials may include:
- cellulose
- coir
- copra
- felt
- foam
- horse hair
- jute
- latex
- non-colourfast fabrics
- rubber.
Company requirements may include:
- access and equity policy, principles and practice
- business and performance plans
- client communication procedures
- client confidentiality procedures
- client service standards
- communication channels and reporting procedures
- company goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes
- company issued identification badge/card/pass
- company policy and procedures
- company service standards
- defined resource parameters
- dress and presentation requirements
- duty of care, code of conduct, code of ethics
- emergency response and evacuation procedures
- maintenance procedures for equipment and PPE
- OHS control procedures (e.g. health and safety plans, job plans, job safety analysis, risk assessments, safe operating practices/procedures, safe work instructions, work method statements, safe system of work statements)
- OHS policies and procedures
- personnel practices and guidelines
- policies and procedures relating to own role, responsibility and delegation
- quality and continuous improvement processes and standards
- records and information systems and processes
- rights and responsibilities of employees and employers
- training (induction, refresher and new skills) materials
- use of contractors
- work site access security clearance procedures.
Cushion filling may include:
- feathers
- foam rubber
- latex rubber
- plastic foam
- polyfibre.
Dye methods may include:
- acid
- beck
- continuous
- differential
- direct
- disperse
- paints
- pigment
- solution
- space
- spray
- stock
- yarn.
Fibre form may include:
- continuous filament
- staple yarn.
Fibre may include:
- acetate
- acrylic
- cotton
- jute
- linen
- nylon
- polyester
- polypropylene
- rayon
- silk
- wool.
Manufacturers' specifications may include:
- equipment operational manuals
- instructional guides
- material safety data sheets (MSDS)
- other resources supplied by the manufacturer (such as laminated cards, notices and wall posters)
- product labels
- safety instructions pre-printed on equipment.
Occupational health and safety * (OHS ) requirements may relate to:
- allergic reactions (contact dermatitis, etc)
- communication devices for remote and isolated locations e.g. mobile phone, two-way radio, etc
- dermatoxicological control and prevention measures
- emergency procedures for eye and skin contact, inhalation and ingestion of toxic substances
- hazard identification and risk assessment mechanisms
- hazard reporting
- hierarchy of hazard control procedures
- injury, dangerous occurrence and incident reporting requirements
- irregular blood testing (health surveillance and monitoring)
- keeping access ways clear from obstruction
- maintaining clear access ways
- maintenance procedures for equipment and PPE
- national industry standards/codes of practice
- OHS control procedures (e.g. health and safety plans, job plans, job safety analysis, risk assessments, safe operating practices/procedures, safe work instructions, work method statements, safe system of work statements)
- protection from hazardous substances, noise and dust
- protection of people in the workplace
- routes of entry and potential symptoms of exposure from chemicals
- safety training (induction and refresher)
- ultraviolet light
- up-to-date electrical test and tag compliance
- use of chemicals in accordance with labels
- use, storage and maintenance of equipment in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and equipment operating manuals
- use, storage and maintenance of personal protective equipment and clothing.
* Also known as workplace health and safety
Piping material may include:
- foam
- jute
- paper
- plastic tubing.
Pre-existing conditions may include:
- abrading/wear
- crimp loss
- crocking
- dye migration
- fading
- fume fading
- pile reversal
- shrinkage.
Rights and responsibilities of employees may relate to:
- confidentiality and privacy rights
- duty of care
- knowing the appropriate personnel for reporting purposes
- knowing the location of manuals and/or related documents
- knowing the terms and conditions of own employment
- knowing the workplace procedures
- protection from discrimination and sexual harassment.
Rights and responsibilities of employers may relate to:
- duty of care
- providing a safe environment free from discrimination and sexual harassment (see relevant state and Commonwealth anti-discrimination legislation
- providing a safe workplace in accordance with OHS legislation, codes of practice, regulations and standards
- providing information and training in work tasks, OHS and other employment related matters
- the right to dismiss you if you (see the Commonwealth Workplace Relations Act 1996 ):
- are negligent, careless or cause an accident
- commit a criminal offence
- commit acts of disloyalty such as revealing confidential information
- use abusive language.
Tests may include:
- burn test
- chemical tests
- sink/float test.
Texture style may include:
- crushed velvet
- damask
- glazed (polished)
- moire
- quilted.
Weave type may include:
- flat (basket)
- jacquard
- knitted
- satin
- twill
- velvet.
Work order information may include:
- access to work site and egress points
- budget allocations
- completion times/dates
- insufficient people to complete the work task(s)
- job requirements and tasks
- legislative and local government requirements
- OHS requirements and emergency response procedures
- resource requirements - equipment and materials
- specific client requirements e.g. relationships with other activities, dress and presentation requirements
- use of signage and barriers
- work schedules
- work site contact person(s)
- working in isolated and remote locations.
Yarn type may include:
- novelty
- plied
- single
- textured
- twist.
Unit Sector(s)
Not Applicable
Functional Area:
Functional Area: Core. Carpet Cleaning