Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers of the competency required to test the environment of confined spaces to ensure safe entry and egress. This includes the preparation for and conduct of the test procedures and all post test procedures.

Application of the Unit 

The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Prerequisite Unit /s 

DEFOH013B Enter confined space

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. 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 environmental testing 

1.1 Confined space potential contaminants  are identified in accordance with organisational policy and procedures 

1.2 Organisational policy and procedures are reviewed to identify restrictions or requirements pertinent to this confined space

1.3 Equipment and resources  required for the testing are identified, acquired and prepared in accordance with organisational procedures

1.4 Occupational health and safety  (OH &S ) requirements  including those contained in organisational procedures, are applied throughout the testing procedures

2. Test confined space for contaminants / threats 

2.1 Testing sample  is obtained in accordance with testing protocols and organisational procedures

2.2 Tests are conducted and results are recorded  in accordance with testing protocols and organisational procedures

2.3 Test results  are analysed  in accordance with testing protocols and organisational procedures

2.4 Confined space environment is monitored  in accordance with organisational procedures

3. Finalise test /s 

3.1 Documentation and reports  are completed in accordance with organisational procedures

3.2 Testing equipment  is cleaned and refurbished  in accordance with organisational procedures

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required Skills 

• access, read, interpret and apply information on testing
• analyse test results
• communicate effectively
• identify and report on contaminants/threats
• operate test equipment

Required Knowledge 

• analysis procedures
• engineering controls
• legislation, organisational policies and procedures relevant to confined space entry
• operating procedures of relevant test equipment
• principles of atmospheric monitoring
• sampling procedures
• testing protocols

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to observe and respond to changing circumstances and unusual situations in the workplace; to review relevant workplace documentation; to conduct a quality assurance check against previous recommendations; and to identify changes in workplace configurations.

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated over a range of confined space tests that could be expected in the workplace

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access to the organisational legislation, codes of practice, guidance material, policies/procedures and relevant equipment including PPE required to support testing of confined space environment.

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. Bold italicised  wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Confined spaces may include 

Any compartment or area with limited opening for access and no escape route, and with limited natural ventilation or an atmosphere containing more than 23.5% or less than 19.5% oxygen, and the capability of accumulating a toxic, flammable or explosive atmosphere, or of being flooded

Examples of confined spaces may include:

• fuel tanks (diesoline, gasoline, kerosene, AVCAT) or any other liquid or gaseous fuel
• water tanks (feed, fresh, ballast), void spaces, cofferdams, double bottoms/wing compartments, sewage
• treatment tanks (combine holding tank system)
• oil tanks (sludge oil, lubricating, hydraulic), cable lockers (anchor cable stowage)
• open-topped spaces such as pits or degreasers, pipes, sewers, shafts, ducts and similar structures
• boiler drums, steam turbine casing, main condensers, gas turbine rotor casing, piston engine enclosed
• crankcase, main circulating water inlet and discharge pipes, pressure vessels

Potential contaminants may include 

Dusts/fumes/gases/vapours/particles

Hazardous substances

Liquids

Noise

Radiation (Ionising or non-ionising)

Organisational policy and procedures may include 

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

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Organisational policies and procedures

Previous testing reports

Risk assessments

Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Testing and analysis protocols

Task analysis

Equipment and resources may include 

Testing equipment as required by SOPs

Testing equipment pertinent to the perceived contaminant/threat

Preparation of equipment and resources may include 

Testing equipment for safe operation (confidence testing) prescribed by manufacturer

Testing equipment for serviceability

Occupational health and safety requirements may include 

General duty of care under OH&S legislation and common law

Provisions relating to health and safety representatives and/or OH&S committees

Provisions relating to OH&S issue resolution state/territory/commonwealth OH&S acts, regulations, codes of practice and guidance material relating to hazards present in workplace and industry

Testing sample may include 

Quantity required to obtain valid result

Sending sample with appropriate paperwork to testing laboratory for specialised tests

Recording test results may include 

Manual or automated recording systems

Analysis of test results may include 

Comparison against known standards

Determination of safe levels of contaminants/threats

Monitoring of the confined space environment may include 

Maintaining testing regime while in confined space, be it continuous or periodic, in accordance with entry plan and work permit

Monitoring if determined under risk assessment

Monitoring in response to work being undertaken in the space

Documentation and reports may include 

Testing equipment usage reports/logs

Work permit completion after testing

Written reports required by organisation

Cleaning and refurbishing testing equipment may include 

Decontamination procedures

Disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Disposal of test samples

Inspection, servicing and cleaning equipment ready for re-use or storage

Co-requisite Unit /s 

Nil