Unit of competency details

Element 

Performance Criteria 

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.

1 Apply knowledge of electricity to beauty therapy treatments.

1.1 Identify the properties of electrical currents and the forms in which they are used  in the beauty therapy treatments  according to relevant legislation  and workplace policies and procedures.

1.2 Identify relevant principles of static electricity  and potential effects on the beauty therapy treatments and take preventive measures. 

1.3 Identify and address safety considerations  when using electrical equipment in beauty treatments.

1.4 Identify common causes and effects of short circuits  and regularly check equipment for deterioration, damage, wear or incorrect wiring procedures.

1.5 Avoid overloaded circuits  and their effects by monitoring or restricting the use of power boards, where multiple appliances are connected to the same power board.

1.6 Use electrical safety devices  to maintain occupational health and safety and protect sensitive equipment.

2 Perform beauty therapy treatments using direct and alternating current appliances.

2.1 Identify the principles and processes of direct alternating current  and relate these to the design and performance of beauty therapy treatments.

2.2 Identify applications for galvanic direct current and alternating current treatments  and relate to treatment in a manner that maximises client comfort, and client and own safety.

2.3 Follow occupational health and safety requirements and manufacturers’ safety data to maintain operator and client safety and protect sensitive equipment.

3 Perform beauty therapy treatments using electrical muscle stimulation and micro current equipment.

3.1 Identify and relate the principles and processes of electrical muscle stimulation and micro current treatments  to the design and performance of beauty therapy treatments.

3.2 Identify major applications for electrical muscle stimulation and micro current, and relate these to the design and performance of treatment to maximise client comfort, and client and own safety.

3.3 Follow occupational health and safety requirements and manufacturers’ safety data to maintain operator and client safety and protect sensitive equipment.

4 Promote electrical safety.

4.1 Observe correct operation of electrical equipment  according to manufacturer user manual and safety data for equipment.

4.2 Apply appropriate safety procedures  and report faulty equipment to relevant personnel .

4.3 Identify preventive measures and check equipment for wear or deterioration.

4.4 Avoid overloading circuits and recognise and attend to warning signs.

4.5 Store electrical equipment to minimise risk of damage or fire due to static charges.

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit:

• technical skills to:

• respond to risk situations that may cause short circuits or overloaded circuits
• integrate the use of electrical equipment into the planning and performance of beauty therapy treatments

• literacy skills to source, read, comprehend and apply:

• relevant manufacturers' operating instructions and safety data sheets
• relevant regulations and workplace safety procedures regarding the safe use and maintenance of electrical equipment

• communication skills to report electrical safety problems and equipment faults.

Required knowledge 

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit:

• relevant health and hygiene regulations and requirements and skin penetration legislation
• relevant occupational health and safety regulations and requirements
• principles of electricity as they relate to beauty therapy treatments
• workplace policies and procedures in regard to beauty therapy treatments using electrical equipment
• use of electrical equipment in relation to beauty therapy treatments and procedures, including:

• environmental impact
• correct operation of electrical equipment
• safe use of electrical appliances
• care and temperature control of equipment
• taking preventive measures as required

• workplace electrical equipment range and manufacturer instructions and material safety data sheets.

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.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Evidence of the following is essential:

• applying relevant workplace policies and procedures
• applying safe work practices and safe use of products and electrical equipment, including use of preventive measures, according to manufacturer safety manuals and occupational health and safety regulations and requirements
• applying principles of electricity as they apply to beauty therapy treatments
• applying a range of beauty therapy treatments, using a variety of techniques and procedures involving direct and alternating currents and light therapies
• accurately and legibly recording relevant data.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• that competency is consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor as described in the Assessment Guidelines
• that competency is demonstrated in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment in a range of real work situations which may include client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the workplace.

Assessment must ensure access to:

• an environment, which includes as a minimum access to:

• applications for direct and alternating current treatments
• micro currents
• low level intensity laser

• relevant workplace documentation including:

• manufacturer's equipment instructions
• product instructions
• manufacturer safety data sheets
• workplace policies and procedures manuals

• a range of clients with different treatment requirements.

For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.

Methods of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• observation of learners performing a range of tasks in the workplace or a simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies, including:

• identifying principles of electricity and developing and maintaining safe work practices
• relating a variety of treatment processes and electrical equipment to beauty therapy treatments according to client and safety requirements

• written and oral questioning appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner, to assess knowledge and understanding of beauty treatments using electrical equipment, including home-care advice and relevant legislation
• completion of workplace documentation relevant to use of electrical equipment
• third-party reports from technical experts
• completion of self-paced learning materials, including personal reflection and feedback from trainer, coach or supervisor.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

• SIBBBOS402A Provide body treatments
• SIBBFAS405A Provide advanced facial treatments
• SIBBHRS504A Provide electrolysis treatments
• SIBBSKS503A Provide diathermy treatments
• SIBBSKS504A Design and perform cosmetic tattooing.

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.

Properties of electrical currents and the forms in which they are used  may include:

• atomic theory
• bonding
• electrical circuits
• use of electrical frequencies:

• warming of muscles
• muscle contraction
• warming of other tissues
• cleansing
• infusion of products into the stratum corneum

• energy
• electrical supply
• static electricity
• direct current
• alternating current
• low intensity laser.

Beauty therapy treatments  may include:

• body treatments
• advanced facial treatments
• diathermy treatments
• electrolysis treatments.

Relevant legislation  may include:

• health and hygiene
• therapeutic goods regulations
• electrical safety.

Principles of static electricity  must include:

• causes of static electricity generation
• client discomfort caused by electrostatic shock
• damage to micro-electronic equipment
• ignition of flammable gas or substances e.g. methylated spirits, acetone or turpentine
• attraction of dust particles.

Preventive measures  must include:

• familiarity with correct operation of equipment
• equipment adjusted to minimal levels prior to use
• recognition of danger signs
• switching off and disconnecting appliances from mains supply prior to investigating an electrical fault
• electrical safety devices
• safe work practices
• selection of floor coverings, materials and clothing that minimise the generation of static electricity.

Safety considerations  must include:

• effects of electrocution
• factors affecting severity of electrical shock
• contingency plans and emergency procedures.

Short circuits  may include:

• faulty equipment and/or insulation
• current that bypasses the load.

Overloaded circuits  may include:

• faulty equipment
• excessive current through a circuit.

Electrical safety devices  may include:

• overload cut out devices:

• circuit breakers
• fuses

• earth leakage circuit breakers
• surge protectors.

Principles and processes of direct and alternating current  may include:

• electrical energy and electron movement
• electrolytic process
• thermal effect
• electrodes
• frequency ranges
• capacitance.

Applications for galvanic direct current and alternating current treatments  may include:

• iontophoresis - cataphoresis and anaphoresis
• disincrustation
• electrolysis
• diathermy
• blending currents for hair reduction
• thermolysis
• direct and indirect high frequency.

Principles and processes of electrical muscle stimulation and micro current treatments  may include:

• muscle contraction
• stimulation of nerves
• alternating current treatment
• light therapies:

• electro-magnetic spectrum
• infra-red radiation
• ultraviolet radiation
• lower intensity laser therapy.

Correct operation of electrical equipment  may include:

• precautions to be observed when using electrical equipment
• regular checking and maintenance of electrical equipment.

Appropriate safety procedures  may include:

• monitoring equipment for abnormal behaviour
• recognising signs of electrical equipment damage
• reporting faults
• isolating accidents.

Relevant personnel  may include:

• supervisor
• salon owner
• more experienced operator
• safety officer.