Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to care for and maintain workplace hairdressing tools and equipment.

Application of the Unit 

The unit requires the operator to clean and disinfect a broad range of tools and equipment used in hairdressing. The operator is also required to ensure that hand tools such as scissors, razors and clippers are maintained in good working condition and that electrical equipment is maintained in line with safety requirements.

Where this unit is used for assessment only or for training delivery and assessment, co-requisite or prerequisite units of competency that relate to this unit are identified in the evidence guide of this unit.

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the element. The variables for the bold italicised  text are outlined in the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1

Clean and disinfect tools and equipment.

1.1

Residual hair and product are cleaned off tools and equipment .

1.2

Tools and equipment are cleaned and disinfected in compliance with relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures .

2

Maintain tools and equipment.

2.1

Scissors  and clippers  are regularly checked for bluntness and sent for sharpening when necessary.

2.2

Disposable razor blades are examined to detect imperfections and defects and replaced as required.

2.3

Discarded blades are disposed of according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

2.4

All tools and equipment are maintained in working condition according to manufacturer instructions.

3

Store tools and equipment.

3.1

Clean linen  is stored in a clean dry place and in line with local health regulations.

3.2

Cleaned and disinfected tools and equipment are stored according to local health regulations.

4

Maintain electrical equipment.

4.1

Equipment is checked for loose wires and referred to a licensed electrician for repair where required.

4.2

Equipment is checked and maintained according to relevant legislative and regulatory requirements  and manufacturer instructions.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Skills may include :

• following a regular routine that complies with legislative requirements for the cleaning, storage and maintenance of workplace tools and equipment

• using a range of cleaning and disinfecting products and techniques

• applying infection-control procedures

• re-setting clippers and scissors

• replacing disposable razor blades

• language, literacy and numeracy skills relevant to the role and workplace requirements
• reading and interpreting health regulations and manufacturers' instructions.

Knowledge may include :

• knowledge of the transmission routes of infectious conditions

• knowledge of workplace policies, procedures and safe work practices in relation to cleaning and hygiene

• knowledge of workplace procedures and relevant legislation and regulations regarding the safe storage of cleaned and/or disinfected tools and equipment

• knowledge of workplace procedures and relevant legislation and regulations regarding the safe disposal of used blades.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide describes the underpinning knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated to prove competence. It is essential for assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, the range statement and the assessment guidelines of the relevant Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit of competency must be able to perform routine cleaning and maintenance of tools and equipment. The evidence provided must also demonstrate knowledge and skills in the application of relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures with regard to health and hygiene and the safe care and maintenance of tools and equipment.

Specific evidence requirements 

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

• knowledge and consistent application of relevant legislation and workplace policies, procedures and safe work practices in relation to cleaning and hygiene

• knowledge of the transmission routes of infectious conditions and skills in the application of standard infection-control precautions

• knowledge and consistent application of workplace procedures and relevant legislation for the safe storage of cleaned and/or disinfected tools, equipment and linen

• ability to check and maintain in safe working order a range of tools and equipment

• demonstrated adherence to workplace procedures in referring tools and equipment for repair as required

• reading, accurately interpreting and consistently applying manufacturer's instructions relating to cleaning products and disinfectants

• cleaning, oiling and re-setting clippers

• cleaning, oiling and re-setting scissors.

Context of assessment 

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, competency should be consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor and/or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor. The technical expert may include the hairdresser and/or an experienced person at the workplace.

Competency should be demonstrated in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment in a range of situations that may include client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the workplace. For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.

Specific resources for assessment 

Competency for this unit should be assessed through access to:

• relevant documentation such as local health regulations, occupational health and safety legislation and regulations, workplace procedures for the safe care and maintenance of tools and equipment, and other legislative requirements
• a range of tools and equipment appropriate to the hairdressing workplace
• labels on cleaning and disinfecting products, and other sources of product information
• a qualified workplace assessor or assessment team.

Relationship to other units 

In the context of an assessment-only and/or a training delivery and assessment pathway, all units that relate to a job function may be integrated for assessment purposes.

Prerequisite units :

• none.

Co-requisite units :

• WRHCS205A Follow personal health and safety routines at work
• SIRXOHS001A Apply safe working practices.

Method of assessment 

The following assessment method is suggested.

• Observation of the learner performing a range of tasks in an actual or simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate his/her handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks may include:

• cleaning and disinfecting tools following a range of services
• storing cleaned and disinfected tools and equipment
• oiling and re-setting clippers
• oiling and re-setting scissors
• replacing disposable razor blades
• honing and stropping straight razors
• referring tools and equipment for repair and/or maintenance.

Evidence required for demonstration of consistent performance 

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, evidence should be gathered through a range of methods to indicate consistent performance.

It can be gathered from assessment of the unit of competency alone, through an integrated assessment activity or through a combination of both.

Evidence should be gathered as part of the learning process.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

The following variables 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. Bold italicised  text from the performance criteria is detailed here.

Tools and equipment  may include:

• electrical equipment
• scissors
• clippers and guards
• neck brushes
• combs
• brushes
• sectioning clips
• rollers
• clips
• perm rods
• tint brushes
• bowls.

Workplace policies and procedures  may include:

• health and hygiene
• occupational health and safety
• waste disposal.

Scissors  may include:

• straight blades
• curved blades
• convex blades
• texturising shears
• thinning shears.

Clippers  may include:

• cordless re-chargeable clippers
• electric clippers with cords.

Clean linen  may include:

• towels
• wraps
• gowns.

Relevant legislative and regulatory requirements  may include:

• state and territory health regulations pertaining to hairdressing establishments
• skin penetration legislation
• local government (council) health regulations.

Competency Field 

Hairdressing