Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to use advanced technologies in laundry operations.
The unit of competency applies to preparation, control and monitoring of continuous batch or tunnel washer, and interpreting and addressing minor operational problems and faults. It includes determining the order of washing, controlling and monitoring continual batch washers, processing of product to laundry specifications and identifying common operational faults.
This unit does not cover skills required for entering and conducting checks or repairs inside continual batch washers. Work required inside the machine requires a current permit for working in confined spaces.
Work may be conducted in small to large scale enterprises and may involve individual and team activities.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Determine job requirements | 1.1 | Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) |
1.2 | Comply with work health and safety (WHS) requirements at all times | ||
1.3 | Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with SOPs | ||
1.4 | Identify job requirements from specifications, drawings, job sheets or work instructions | ||
2 | Prepare for wash | 2.1 | Identify type of continuous batch washer and operational requirements |
2.2 | Determine production schedule and work load priorities | ||
2.3 | Conduct equipment start-up checks and identify functions of associated equipment segments | ||
3 | Operate continuous batch washer | 3.1 | Follow operator instructions and start up machine |
3.2 | Load conveyor and interpret weigh scale | ||
3.3 | Achieve correct weight according to product classification and machine manufacturer specification and start washing operations | ||
3.4 | Conduct loading, unloading and transfer of laundry according to operational procedures using manual handling techniques, where automatic systems are not in place | ||
4 | Monitor and finalise washing | 4.1 | Monitor tunnel washer operation and all associated computerised equipment and systems to ensure all processes are functioning accurately |
4.2 | Interpret operational faults identified by computer equipment and address, document and report according to workplace procedures | ||
4.3 | Remove final load, confirm completion of work load and shut down washer | ||
4.4 | Complete shutdown maintenance according to operating procedure | ||
4.5 | Meet all housekeeping requirements and complete records | ||
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include:
reading and following work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), safe work practices and other reference material
applying relevant standards
applying operational and safety procedures for the safe and efficient operation of continuous batch washing equipment
interpreting production schedules and work load priorities
classifying and sorting wash load, weighing appropriately and selecting appropriate washing conditions and programs on at least two (2) occasions
preparing chemicals safely (where automatic systems are not in place)
controlling and monitoring process operation on at least two (2) occasions
interpreting computer fault readings and addressing common operational problems
ensuring wash loads and associated chemicals meet requirement for continuous loading
using machines and related equipment, including dispensing and dosing systems according to workplace requirements on at least two (2) occasions
safely removing wet washing from continuous conveyor
maintaining accurate records.
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:
safe work practices and procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
relevant industry or Australian Standards
mechanical function and key features of continuous batch washing machines
functional differences between continual and ordinary washers, their advantages and disadvantages
classification of laundry and relevant program selection
work load requirements for continuous batch washing
monitoring procedures
requirements for maintaining optimum dip levels
level of operator responsibility for equipment maintenance and monitoring
characteristics and hazards of chemicals and dispensing systems
hazards associated with the removal of wet laundry from continuous conveyor
common operational faults and their cause and required action
work health and safety (WHS) and environmental aspects related to workplace and machine and equipment operation and manual handling, including consumable or hazardous materials
workplace policies and procedures
quality practices
practices for recording and reporting.
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must:
satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment, as set by the VET regulator
have vocational competency in performing advanced laundry operations, at least to the level being assessed, with relevant industry knowledge and experience.
Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible, or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those required skills (language, literacy and numeracy) that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | |
Workplace procedures include one or more of the following: | requirements prescribed by legislation, awards, agreements and conditions of employment SOPs work instructions oral, written and visual communication quality practices, including responsibility for maintenance of own work quality and contribution to quality improvement of team or section output housekeeping tasks related to environmental protection, waste disposal, pollution control and recycling WHS practices |
Australian Standards include: | the relevant industry or Australian Standards that are current at the time this unit is being undertaken |
Associated equipment segments include the following: | sorting area dryers press conveyors computerised equipment |
Types of continuous batch/tunnel washers include the following: | top washer transfer bottom washer transfer middle transfer |
Operational faults include one or more of the following: | conveyor jam dryer out of synchronisation weighing mechanism out of alignment press malfunctions drying temperature safety gate locking missed pockets chemical faults |
Shutdown maintenance includes the following: | clean lint bags collect dropped linen clean work area |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Laundry operations