Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to clean road tankers in accordance with workplace procedures and OH&S and environmental protection regulations, including preparing for cleaning operations, steam cleaning a tanker, cleaning a tanker using water and detergent, finalising cleaning operations, and completing all required documentation. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application of the Unit 

Work must be carried out in compliance with OH&S and environmental protection regulations and workplace procedures.

Work is performed under some supervision, usually in a team environment. Work involves the application of routine principles and procedures to clean commercial tankers across a variety of operational contexts.

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Prepare for cleaning operations 

1.1 Vehicle is positioned under gantry in accordance with workplace procedures

1.2 Documentation is obtained from the vehicle driver to determine the product which has been previously carried in the tanker

1.3 The vehicle keys are taken from the driver to prevent 'accidental drive off' before the cleaning process is completed

1.4 Appropriate cleaning process is selected for type of tanker/load in accordance with workplace procedures

1.5 Cleaning materials are prepared in accordance with manufacturers instructions and workplace procedures

1.6 The required personal protection and safety equipment is selected and used in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

2 Steam clean a tanker 

2.1 The vehicle is earthed to prevent sparks and explosions

2.2 Valves are opened to allow draining of the wash materials and hoses attached in accordance with manufacturers instructions and workplace procedures

2.3 All access points, including vents and washing points, are opened and heat-sensitive auto fill probes removed in accordance with workplace procedures

2.4 Where the tank has held oil/diesel, a wash consisting of detergent wash and hot water rinse is carried out followed by the application of steam

2.5 Where the tank has only held petrol, a steam clean only is carried out in accordance with workplace procedures

2.6 After the wash, the unit is left to drain until liquid ceases to drain from the outlet valves and steam stops leaving the vents on the top of the tank

2.7 All vents and valves are closed and the auto fill probes reconnected

2.8 Plastic seals are placed on valves to signify the completed cleaning of the tanker where required in accordance with workplace procedures

3 Clean a tanker using water and detergent 

3.1 High pressure water and detergent is used to clean around the top of the tanker vents and hatches to remove dirt and they are rinsed clean with water

3.2 Valves on the outlet manifold are opened and connected with flexible pipes to the waste storage facility or recycling tanks for the tank cleaner

3.3 All hatches are opened and spray balls are placed into the tanks after checking visually for the condition of the tank. Where solid materials are present these are washed out with high pressure water prior to starting the cleaning cycle

3.4 Tank is rinsed then washed with tank wash until waste is clear and then it is recycled into a holding tank for reuse leaving the tankers tank to drain

3.5 Water in the holding tank is topped up and ph tested and solution is replaced if necessary in accordance with workplace procedures

3.6 Tank is rinsed with water in short bursts until the liquid leaving the tank is clear

3.7 Top of tank is hosed off again with water, and spray balls are removed

3.8 The tank is visually checked, through the hatches with the aid of a torch, for cleanliness

3.9 If cleanliness standards have not been achieved, the tanker is rewashed or re-rinsed as required. Hatches are closed

3.10 At the conclusion of cleaning operations drainage hoses are removed, manifold checked for cleanliness, and drainage valves closed and sealed to indicate completed process in accordance with workplace procedures

4 Complete cleaning operations 

4.1 Due care is taken to ensure that the disposal of used cleaning materials is in accordance with environmental protection regulations and workplace procedures

4.2 Wash water is suitably treated using available water cleaning and separation processes before draining into the sewerage system

4.3 Cleaning equipment is cleaned, dried, checked and stored in accordance with workplace procedures

4.4 Documentation on the cleaning operations is completed in accordance with workplace procedures and is returned to the driver along with the keys to the vehicle

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

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

Required knowledge :

• Relevant duty of care requirements for the routine cleaning of tankers

• Relevant OH&S and pollution control procedures

• Procedures for the cleaning of a commercial tanker in accordance with workplace and manufacturers requirements and established safety rules and regulations

• Problems that may occur during the routine cleaning of a commercial road tanker and its associated ancillary equipment, and appropriate action and solutions

• Processes for the recognition and diagnosis of faults and vehicle/ancillary system irregularities

• Hazards that may exist during the cleaning of road tankers and ways of controlling the risks involved

• Basic technical knowledge relevant to the cleaning of road tankers

• Emergency procedures

• Materials identification, handling and storage

• Hazardous situations and related personal protection measures

• Relevant recording and documentation procedures

• Precautions and procedures to dispose of or reprocess cleaning wastes in accordance with environmental protection requirements

• Housekeeping standards required for cleaning operations

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others when cleaning road tankers

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures, labels and manuals relevant to the cleaning of road tankers

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to the cleaning of road tankers

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Work collaboratively with others when cleaning road tankers

• Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

• Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems that may occur when cleaning road tankers in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Implement contingency plans for unplanned events

• Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

• Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

• Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

• Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

• Operate and adapt to differences in equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

• Carry out required cleaning operations

• Select and use appropriate cleaning equipment and materials

• Minimise waste during cleaning operations

• Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

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

• The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:

• the underpinning knowledge and skills
• relevant legislation and workplace procedures
• other relevant aspects of the range statement

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
• Resources for assessment include:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
• access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

• In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

• relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment 

• Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation
• As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
• Practical assessment must occur:

• through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or
• in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

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.

Type of vehicle may include:

• all tankers including those carrying petrol, diesel, oil, milk, wine and other liquid products

Cleaning operations may be carried out in appropriate facilities:

• by day or night
• in typical weather conditions
• in confined spaces, exposed conditions and controlled or open environment
• while in the a depot, base or warehouse
• while at a client's workplace

Cleaning operations may include:

• steam cleaning
• water and detergent cleaning

Equipment and materials may include:

• detergents and cleaning chemicals
• hoses and spray balls
• steam cleaning equipment
• waste recycling tanks/equipment
• cleaning tools

Safety hazards may include but are not limited to:

• fire/ignition risk
• vapours and noxious gases
• working at heights
• slippery, wet surfaces
• steam burns

Environmental hazards may include:

• leaking oil and fuel
• inappropriate disposal of washing fluids in drains or sewerage systems

Depending on work context, safety and protective equipment may include:

• high visibility waterproof clothing
• hearing protection
• gloves
• safety glasses, headwear and footwear
• safety harness for working on top of tankers

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

• company procedures
• enterprise procedures
• organisational procedures
• established procedures

Information/records may include:

• workplace tanker cleaning procedures, checklists and instructions for the vehicle, tanks and related ancillary equipment
• relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority regulations
• ADG Code as it applies to tanker cleaning
• material safety data sheets
• tanker cleaning checklists and records
• tanker manufacturers specifications and recommended procedures
• precautions and procedures to be adopted to protect the environment when cleaning tankers
• OH&S procedures to be followed when cleaning tankers
• emergency procedure manuals
• QA plans and document control
• conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

• relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority regulations and requirements
• relevant state/territory OH&S legislation
• relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation
• ADG Code as it applies to the cleaning of tankers

Competency Field 

B - Equipment Checking and Maintenance