Unit of competency details

Release 

TP Version 

Comments 

2

DEF12V2

Removal of repetitive Performance Criteria Statement

Application added

Minor change to Unit Descriptor and Range Statement

Changes to Evidence Guide

1

DEF12V1

Primary release.

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. Prepare for confined space entry 

1.1 Requirement for confined space entry is identified from work requests/instructions and is confirmed.

1.2 Duration of and limitations  on the tasks to be performed in the confined space are identified.

1.3 Organisational restrictions or requirements  that apply to confined space entry are identified.

1.4 Equipment and resources  required for the confined space entry are identified, acquired and prepared.

1.5 Work health and safety (WHS) requirements  are applied throughout the operation

1.6 Confined space is prepared  for entry.

1.7 Team and individual roles and responsibilities within the team are confirmed and delegated.

1.8 Pre-entry tests and checks  are conducted in accordance with organisational and manufacturers’ requirements.

2. Enter confined spaces 

2.1 Entry/egress points are identified.

2.2 Environmental conditions are monitored .

2.3 Communications  are maintained.

2.4 Equipment and resources are operated and used in accordance with manufacturers’ requirements and organisational procedures.

2.5 Entry permit conditions are adhered to.

2.6 All unexpected situations that require a quick and decisive response are recognised and responded to.

2.7 Task/s for which confined space entry was required are conducted.

3. Finalise confined space entry 

3.1 Confined space is exited.

3.2 Equipment is cleaned and refurbished .

3.3 Documentation and reports  are completed.

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

Required Skills 

• access, read, interpret and apply information on confined spaces
• assess risks and apply effective risk control measures
• communicate effectively
• identify and report hazards
• identify stored energy sources
• operate any equipment pertinent to the confined space entry and task to be performed
• work in a confined space

Required Knowledge 

• applicable organisational procedures and documents
• appropriate signage and protective barriers
• legislation, organisational policies and procedures relevant to confined spaces
• risk assessment procedures
• safety equipment operations
• work methods analysis

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

• plan and prepare for entry into the confined space
• maintain communications
• adhere to entry permit conditions
• report abnormalities
• maintain documentation
• apply knowledge of relevant work health and safety legislative frameworks
• apply principles and practices of work health and safety
• identify intervention points for expert advice to assist work and to guide problem solving

Consistency in performance 

Evidence for competency in this unit must be gathered over time and across a range of workplace or simulated situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or under conditions that accurately simulate a realistic workplace in accordance with all relevant legislation and organisation requirements.

Evidence should be gathered while observing the individual conducting an actual or simulated entry into a confined space. A record of all relevant reports of the activity should be submitted as evidence for assessment.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access to the organisational legislation, codes of practice, guidance material, policies/procedures and relevant equipment required to support a confined space entry.

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.

Duration of and limitations on tasks  may include:

• Climbing equipment or ladders
• Lifelines
• Limitations associated with either the task or the environment that require limited time to reduce the exposure risk, or are imposed because of equipment limitations (e.g. breathing apparatus limitations)
• obstructions that limit access to or from areas within the confined space
• Requirements for special breathing apparatus
• Restrictions on activities that may be undertaken without specific action such as exhausting volatile gases before welding
• Working at heights
• Slippery surfaces
• Special clothing
• Time limit on exposure necessitating rotation of personnel through confined space in order to complete the task that initiated the entry requirement

Tasks may include 

Any activity that is to be performed inside the confined space

Organisational restrictions and requirements  may include:

• Any established contingency plan or any plan formed specifically to counter ill effects of any likely occurrence
• Australian or international standards
• Confined space entry permit/permits to work
• Equipment manufacturers’ specifications
• Exposure standards
• Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
• Legislation, including state/territory/commonwealth OH&S acts, regulations, codes of practice and guidance material relating to hazards present in the workplace and industry, and associated with entry to confined space including legislation specific to confined space work
• Lockout and isolation procedures
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
• Organisational policies and procedures
• Risk assessments
• Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Task analysis

Equipment and resources  may include:

• Detection/monitoring equipment such as used to detect gases, radiation
• Equipment which is intrinsically safe
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety helmets, eye protection, hearing protection, skin protection, belts, special boots
• Ropes, lifelines, ladders, karabiners
• Safety equipment such as breathing apparatus

Preparation of equipment and resources  may include:

• Confined space work permit completed and issued
• Forced ventilation set-up
• Recharging air bottles

Work health and safety requirements pertain to all relevant WHS legislation and  may include:

• General duty of care under WHS legislation and common law
• Provisions relating to health and safety representatives and/or WHS committees
• Provisions relating to WHS issue resolution
• State/territory/commonwealth WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice and guidance material relating to hazards present in the workplace and the industry

Preparing a confined space for entry  may include:

• Cooling
• Emptying
• Heating
• Installing appropriate signage and protective barriers
• Isolation
• Lockout
• Ventilating

Pre-entry tests or checks  may include:

• Testing confined space atmosphere
• Testing equipment for safe operation (confidence testing) prescribed by manufacturer
• Testing equipment for serviceability

Monitoring environmental conditions  may include:

• Maintaining testing regime while in confined space, be it continuous or periodic, in accordance with entry plan and work permit
• Monitoring in response to risk assessment
• Monitoring in response to work being undertaken in the space

Maintaining communications  may include:

• Continuous or periodic verbal and/or visual and/or electronic communication in accordance with work permit/entry plan
• Emergency response procedures

Cleaning and refurbishing equipment  may include:

• Decontamination procedures
• Disposal of PPE
• Drying harnesses, ropes and safety lines
• Inspecting, servicing and cleaning equipment ready for re-use or storage
• Recharging of batteries, air bottles, gas bottles

Documentation and reports  may include:

• Equipment usage reports/logs
• Reports to WHS officer
• Reports to tasking officer
• Work permit completion after exit
• Written reports required by organisation