This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to work in aircraft confined spaces, in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and national operating standards.

It includes planning and preparing for work in an aircraft confined space, entering and working in an aircraft confined space, exiting aircraft confined space, and completing confined space activities.

This unit addresses aviation technical skill requirements (physical, mental and task-management abilities) related to safety management duties of ground operations personnel, and contributes to safe and effective performance in complex aviation operational environments.

Operations are conducted as part of recreational, commercial and military aircraft activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian aviation industry.

Work is performed independently or under limited supervision as a single operator or within a team environment.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Use for Defence Aviation is to be in accordance with relevant Defence Orders, Instructions, Publications and Regulations.

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1 

Plan and prepare for work in an aircraft confined space 

1.1

Work instructions relevant to the task being performed are obtained, confirmed and applied to allocated task in accordance with established workplace procedures

1.2

Safety requirements are applied to allocated task in accordance with established workplace procedures

1.3

Authorisation to enter a confined space is obtained in accordance with established workplace procedures

1.4

Hazards are identified, risks are assessed and hazard management is implemented

1.5

Tools, equipment and personal protective equipment are selected to carry out task consistent with job requirements

1.6

Serviceability of tools, equipment and personal protective equipment is checked and faults are rectified or reported in accordance with established workplace procedures

2 

Enter and work in an aircraft confined space 

2.1

Access cover/cargo hold door is removed or opened as required

2.2

Confined space is entered in accordance with established workplace procedures

2.3

Communication is maintained with appropriate personnel in accordance with established workplace procedures

2.4

Designated work in confined space is conducted in accordance with established workplace procedures

3 

Exit aircraft confined space 

3.1

Confined space is exited in accordance with established workplace procedures

3.2

Tools, equipment, material and personal protective equipment are recovered from confined space

3.3

Access cover/cargo hold door is replaced or closed as required

4 

Complete confined space activities 

4.1

Tools, equipment and personal protective equipment are checked and stored in accordance with established workplace procedures

4.2

Unserviceable tools, equipment and personal protective equipment are fixed or reported in accordance with established workplace procedures

4.3

Documentation is completed and processed in accordance with established workplace procedures

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Hazards that exist when working in an aircraft confined space include one or more of the following:

• climatic conditions/extreme temperatures
• contaminated atmosphere
• dust
• fire
• hazardous materials
• height of confined aircraft space
• moving equipment within aircraft
• noise
• protruding surfaces in aircraft bulkhead and hold structures
• toxic gases
• uneven surfaces or gaps in aircraft floor
• vibration

Tools and equipment must include one or more of the following:

• atmospheric testing equipment
• communications equipment
• harness and lifeline
• self-contained breathing apparatus
• signs and barriers
• tools and equipment relevant to work to be performed

Personal protective equipment must include one or more of the following:

• hearing protection
• high visibility clothing
• protective clothing
• safety footwear
• safety glasses
• safety gloves
• sun protection

Communication must include one or more of the following:

• hand signals
• mobile phone
• two-way radio
• verbal instructions
• written instructions

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least one occasion and include:

• adapting to differences in equipment and operating environment in accordance with standard operating procedures
• applying precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards
• applying safe and effective operational use of tools, equipment and personal protective equipment
• applying safe preparation, entry and exit performance and application of all appropriate procedures
• communicating effectively with others
• completing relevant documentation
• complying with organisational policies and procedures
• identifying and correctly using aircraft confined space tools and equipment
• implementing contingency plans
• implementing work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures and relevant regulations
• modifying activities depending on workplace contingencies, situations and environments
• monitoring and anticipating operational problems and hazards and taking appropriate action
• monitoring work activities in terms of planned schedule
• planning and preparing for work in an aircraft confined space
• reading, interpreting and following relevant instructions, regulations, procedures, information and signs
• reporting and/or rectifying problems, faults or malfunctions promptly, in accordance with workplace procedures
• selecting and using required personal protective clothing and equipment conforming to industry and WHS/OHS standards
• working collaboratively with others
• working systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self, others or damage to goods or equipment.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions and include knowledge of:

• aircraft confined space management and reporting procedures
• common hazards associated with working in aircraft confined spaces
• manufacturer instructions for aircraft confined space tools and personal protective equipment
• organisational defect reporting procedures
• problems that may occur when working in an aircraft confined space, and appropriate action that should be taken in each case
• regulations, legislation, organisational policy and procedures in relation to working in aircraft confined spaces
• relevant WHS/OHS and environmental procedures and regulations
• risks that exist when working in an aircraft confined space, and related risk control procedures and precautions
• safe manual handling techniques in confined spaces
• workplace procedures for working in an aircraft confined space.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

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.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations. Where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that reflect workplace conditions.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations
• acceptable means of simulation assessment
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals
• relevant materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry.