Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit Descriptor |
This competency covers the entry to confined spaces, for maintenance, servicing of vessels or other necessary reasons. Work in/entry to confined spaces shall conform to relevant legislation and AS2865, or its authorised update or replacement. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
This competency applies to persons who are required to enter confined space, for maintenance purposes, for cleaning, inspection or other reasons. It is required by all persons who are required to enter a confined space, as defined by the standard AS2865, or its authorised update or replacement. This unit includes:
AS2865 requires reassessment 'at appropriate intervals'. The industry regards reassessment on a two to three year cycle as good practice. It is expected that all standby persons will also be competent to enter confined space. See MSAPMPER202A Observe permit work for the standby person competency. The issuing of confined space permits is covered by MSAPMPER300B Issue work permits . Some sites and situations will require competency in associated units as a site corequisite. Some of these possible units are identified in the Overview of Assessment. These additional units should be accessed and may be combined by the RTO as a skills set if appropriate. |
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
Pre-requisite Units |
MSAPMPER200C |
Work in accordance with an issued permit |
Employability Skills Information
Employability Skills |
This unit contains employability skills. |
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Assess confined space for entry |
1.1. Confirm and verify the purpose of the required entry. 1.2. Identify and assess hazards within/around the confined space. 1.3. Check a risk assessment associated with entry of the confined space has been conducted and documented. 1.4. Identify and document relevant controls. 1.5. Take appropriate steps to ensure confined space is ready for entry. 1.6. Check the incident/emergency response plan is appropriate to the job 1.7. Rehearse own role in an incident/emergency response 1.8. Confirm and verify that the conditions of the permit reflect the risk assessment 1.9. Check the confined space is ready for entry. |
2. Use safety equipment and PPE |
2.1. Secure work site 2.2. Select, fit and wear designated PPE. 2.3. Select, test and use required instruments and monitors. 2.4. Challenge test atmosphere/atmospheric monitoring instrument if required before entry. 2.5. Confirm test/monitoring results show entry is safe |
3. Work in accordance with confined space requirements. |
3.1. Enter confined space safely 3.2. Work in compliance with permit requirements. 3.3. Arrange re authorisation/reissue of permits as required. 3.4. Complete confined space working documentation. 3.5. Maintain communications with all relevant personnel. 3.6. Take appropriate action if there is a change in risk/work environment. |
4. Conclude confined space operations in accordance with procedures. |
4.1. Recover, clean, service and store equipment. 4.2. Complete required final documentation. 4.3. Report any issues. |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. |
Required skills : |
Competence includes the ability to:
Language , literacy and numeracy requirements This unit requires the ability to:
Writing is required to the level of completing workplace forms and producing any required reports. Numeracy is required to the level of being able to correctly differentiate between high and low pressures and temperatures, voltages or masses and interpret gas test/monitoring results. |
Required knowledge : Knowledge and understanding of the relevant OHS and environmental requirements, in particular those relating to various situations requiring work permits, with an ability to implement the requirements in a manner that is relevant to the job. Knowledge of the organisation's standard procedures and work instructions and relevant regulatory requirements along with the ability to implement them within appropriate time constraints and in a manner relevant to the job. Sufficient knowledge of all types of permits is required to ensure work is not carried out without the correct written authority. Knowledge of regulatory frameworks should include:
Knowledge of and the application to the job of relevant legislation and AS2865/2009, or its authorised update or replacement, is essential. Australian Standard HB 213-2003 Guidelines for Safe Working in Confined Spaces, or its relevant replacement, is also a useful reference. Knowledge of the organisation's confined space procedures is required. |
Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE |
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The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package. |
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Overview of assessment |
Assessment of this unit may be undertaken as an individual unit or in combination with other relevant units. Other possible relevant units include:
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to distinguish between situations requiring different permits and to list the major applications and scope of each type of permit. The emphasis should be on the ability to stay out of trouble rather than on recovery from a disaster. As working in a confined space is inherently hazardous it is essential that the worker be able to demonstrate:
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:
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Context of and specific resources for assessment |
Competence in this unit should be determined by a practical demonstration of a confined space entry. This may be achieved:
In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practical/ simulation or similar assessment. Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions. This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement for this unit of competency. Resources required include suitable access to a plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions will also be required to the extent that they form part of the assessment method. Questioning may take place either in the workplace, or in an adjacent, quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom. No other special resources are required. |
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Method of assessment |
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Guidance information for assessment |
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed and the safety standard required. |
Range Statement
RANGE STATEMENT |
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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 italicized wording, if used in the Performance Criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts. |
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Codes of practice / standards |
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version/version specified by the local regulatory authority must be used. |
Confined space |
The Australian standard (AS2865-2009) definition given for confined space is used in this Training Package, i.e.: 'An enclosed or partially enclosed space that is not intended or designed primarily for human occupancy, within which there is a risk of one or more of the following: (a) An oxygen concentration outside the safe oxygen range. (b) A concentration of airborne contaminant that may cause impairment, loss of consciousness or asphyxiation. (c) A concentration of flammable airborne contaminant that may cause injury from fire or explosion. (d) Engulfment in a stored free-flowing solid or a rising level of liquid that may cause suffocation or drowning.' |
Entry |
Entry to a confined space is defined by AS2865 as: 'when a person's head or upper body is within the boundary of the confined space. NOTE: Inserting an arm for the purpose of atmospheric testing is not considered as entry to a confined space.' |
Procedures |
All operations are performed in accordance with procedures. Procedures include all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards. These may include:
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Ready for entry |
Checking the confined space is ready for entry includes checking:
Appropriate steps to be taken if the confined space is not ready for entry may include reporting deficiencies and refusing to enter the space. |
Conditions of the permit |
Conditions of the permit include all hazard controls. Permit conditions may require atmospheric testing/monitoring in which case MSAPMOHS217A Gas test atmospheres will also be required. |
Secure work site |
Secure work site includes selecting and erecting/deploying required:
as defined in the confined space entry permit requirements, AS2865 and other relevant requirements. |
Designated PPE |
Designated PPE (personal protective clothing and equipment) may include:
as defined in the confined space entry procedures and permit requirements |
Required instruments and monitors |
Required instruments and monitors include:
as required by the permit conditions |
Re-authorisation / reissue of permits |
Re-authorisation/reissue of permits may be required when:
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Confined space permit |
The confined space permit should meet the requirements of AS2865 - 2009 or other appropriate standard |
Working documentation |
Working documentation includes:
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Appropriate action if there is a change in risk |
Appropriate action if there is a change in risk includes any or all of:
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Final documentation |
Final documentation includes:
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Reporting of issues |
Reporting of issues includes:
within the level of competence of the person making the report. |
Hazards |
Typical may hazards include:
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Variables |
Key variables to be monitored include:
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Health , safety and environment (HSE ) |
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence. |
Unit Sector(s)
Unit Sector |
Competency field
Competency Field |
Co-requisite units
Co-requisite Units |
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