Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to launder linen and guest clothes. It requires the ability to operate laundry equipment safely, complete the laundering process using a variety of linen and clothing items and fabrics using resources efficiently to reduce negative environmental impacts.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to laundry attendants in all tourism and hospitality establishments with an on-premises laundry. It may also apply to personal assistants, butlers and valet attendants whose job role involves personal laundry services to employers or customers.

Prerequisite units 

This unit must be assessed after the following prerequisite unit:

SITXOHS002A Follow workplace hygiene procedures.

Employability skills 

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit is packaged will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised  text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge and/or the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1

Process laundry items.

1.1

Sort items according to cleaning process required and urgency of the item.

1.2

Select laundry methods according to textile labelling codes and based on fibre and fabric, dye fastness and amount of soilage.

1.3

Check items for laundering for stains and treat stains using the correct process.

1.4

Use cleaning agents and chemicals according to manufacturer instructions and specific laundry equipment.

1.5

Operate laundry equipment  according to manufacturer instructions.

1.6

Complete mending and minor repairs as required.

1.7

Check items following completion of laundering process to ensure quality cleaning.

1.8

Record any damage arising from the laundering process and notify appropriate persons according to enterprise procedures.

1.9

Complete ironing or pressing and finishing processes.

2

Package and store laundry items.

2.1

Package and present  guest laundry according to enterprise standards and procedures.

2.2

Complete records and billing information according to enterprise procedures.

2.3

Return finished items to guest according to required timeframes.

2.4

Store  processed guest laundry where required according to guest requests or where return to guests is not possible.

3

Reduce negative environmental impacts.

3.1

Use energy, water and other resources efficiently when laundering items to reduce negative environmental impacts.

3.2

Safely dispose of all waste, especially hazardous substances, to minimise negative environmental impacts.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

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

• use of specific laundry chemicals
• problem-solving skills to treat stains and carry out minor repairs
• literacy skills to read information about the use of laundry chemicals and optimum laundry techniques for different fabric types
• writing skills to complete documentation for billing and guest information purposes
• numeracy skills to calculate dilution strengths of laundry chemicals and charges for specific customers for laundry services provided.

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

• hygiene, health and safety issues of specific relevance to laundry operations, including:

• manual handling
• handling laundry chemicals
• basic principles of infection control
• maintenance of clean and dirty laundry area separation

• types of fabric and laundering, and drying requirements for each
• meaning of laundering and dry cleaning labels on clothing
• key laundry terms
• common guest laundry issues
• enterprise linen control procedures, including:

• clean for dirty
• set amount
• topping up
• uniform issue
• condemned linen
• procedures if problems are identified.

• the environmental impacts of laundering and drying items and minimal impact practices to reduce these especially those that relate to resource, water and energy use
• correct and environmentally sound disposal methods for waste and in particular for hazardous substances

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency 

Evidence of the following is essential:

• ability to correctly assess the processes required for different types of laundry
• ability to operate laundry equipment safely, using a full range of cycles available and complete the laundering process using a variety of linen and clothing items and fabrics
• ability to organise resource effective cleaning of laundry items
• knowledge of correct and environmentally sound disposal methods for waste and in particular for hazardous substances
• completion of tasks within enterprise-acceptable timeframes and with quality laundry outcomes.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure demonstration of skills within a commercial laundry using industry-current equipment, including:

• washers
• sorting blankets
• dryers
• shelves
• irons
• steam presses
• coathangers
• polytube bags
• shirt cards
• polymarkers.

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:

• direct observation of the candidate carrying out specific laundry tasks within a complete cycle
• inspection of items laundered by the candidate
• oral or written questions about commercial laundry equipment and operation, including selection of appropriate laundry cycles and programs, hazardous substances and their use, stain identification and treatment and OHS issues and efficient resource use
• review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

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

SITXINV001A Receive and store stock.

Assessing employability skills 

Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.

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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

Laundry equipment  may include:

• washers
• dryers
• irons
• steam presses
• sorting baskets and shelves
• heat sealing equipment and roll plastic
• hangers.

Packaging and presenting  guest laundry may include:

• folding
• wrapping
• heat sealing
• labelling
• providing quality reports.

Storage  of laundry is required where:

• guests have requested storage
• guests have departed temporarily
• laundry has been left behind or forgotten.

Sector 

Hospitality

Competency field 

Accommodation Services