Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to supervise work in confined spaces in the Resources and Infrastructure Industries.

This unit is appropriate for those working in supervisory or technical specialist roles.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and Industry sectors. Relevant information must be sourced prior to application of the unit.

Note: The terms Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and Work Health and Safety (WHS) are equivalent and generally either can be used in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the National Model WHS Legislation has not been implemented RTOs are advised to contextualise the unit of competency by referring to the existing State/Territory OHS legislative requirements.

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit. Further information is available in the Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package Companion Volume.

Unit Mapping Information

RIIOHS401A Supervise work in confined spaces

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=88a61002-9a21-4386-aaf8-69c76e675272

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

Evidence is required to be collected that demonstrates a candidate’s competency in this unit. Evidence must be relevant to the roles within this sector’s work operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria of this unit and include evidence that the candidate:

• locates and applies relevant legislation, documentation, policies and procedures
• demonstrates consistently the requirements, procedures and instructions for supervising work in confined spaces that safely, effectively and efficiently meet the required outcomes on two (2) separate occasions including:

• performing task analysis to carry out risk assessment, and prepare for emergency procedures
• preparing a written safe operating procedure and checklist for confined space work activities
• preparing required permits prior to work activity
• determining working at height requirements and applies procedures for working at heights
• sources and allocates required resources for confined space activities
• providing clear instruction and coordination of activity throughout working in confined space activity
• establishing and applying effective communication techniques to others throughout the work activity
• applying atmospheric contaminants measurement procedures
• supervising work activities and corrects work activity when required
• training others to carry out first response first aid and fire fighting techniques
• maintaining written training records
• maintaining written record of hazards, risk assessments, outcomes and controls used

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of supervising work in confined spaces through:

• applying legislation, standards and code of practice as they apply to confined spaces
• defining confined space
• performing the process of hazard identification, risk assessment and control
• applying workplace strategies for implementing confined space legislation
• determining the effects of atmospheric contaminants entering the respiratory system
• knowledge of the effects on the human body such as:

• oxygen deficiency
• toxic contaminants
• combustible contaminants
• physical hazards such as engulfment and entrapment
• physiological conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, phobias and physical fitness
• risks to workers handling hazardous substances in confined spaces
• risks from electric shock, explosion or fire, temperature changes, noise, and trips, slips and falls

• establishing control measures
• using methods of systems isolation
• preparing written Safe Operating Procedures
• examination, testing and maintenance of control measures
• implementation of emergency rescue procedures
• selection, use, training and maintenance of safety and rescue equipment
• using communication and observer systems
• maintaining record keeping requirements

Assessment Conditions

• An assessor of this unit must satisfy the requirements of the NVR/AQTF or their successors; and Industry regulations for certification and licensing; and,
• this unit is best assessed in the context of this sector’s work environment;
• where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of this sector’s workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills; and,
• this unit must be assessed using Resources and Infrastructure Industry sector specific policies, procedures, processes and operational manuals; and,
• assessor requirements differ between sectors as follows:

• when assessing this unit in the context of the Drilling  sector:

• an assessor must demonstrate the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence as outlined in this Unit of Competency, and through five (5) years of work in the Industry sector; or,
• where a co-assessment or partnership arrangement exists between a qualified assessor and an Industry technical expert, the Industry technical expert can hold the unit being assessed, and/or demonstrate equivalency of skills and knowledge at the unit level. An Industry technical expert must also demonstrate a minimum of three (3) years of continuous work in the Industry sector, with the preceding one (1) year in the unit they are co-assessing; or,

• when assessing this unit in the context of the Metalliferous Mining  sector:

• an assessor must demonstrate the skills and knowledge of this unit through five (5) years of current and continuous work with the Industry sector and must hold the TAE Assessor Skill Set or equivalent; or,

• when assessing this unit in the context of the Coal Mining  sector:

• an assessor must demonstrate the skills and knowledge of this unit through twelve (12) month work experience in an Industry relevant to the skills being assessed within the last three (3) years; and,
• where the assessor does not have current experience a co-assessment or partnership arrangement needs to exist between the qualified assessor and an Industry technical expert/ subject matter expert. The Industry technical expert/subject matter expert must demonstrate competency in the unit being assessed, and be currently working in the sector with a minimum of twelve (12) months’ work experience within the last three (3) years; or,

• when assessing this unit in the context of the Extractive  sector

• an assessor must demonstrate the skills and knowledge of this unit through five (5) years’ work experience in the Industry sector; and,
• where the assessor does not have current experience a co-assessment or partnership arrangement needs to exist between the qualified assessor and an Industry technical expert/ subject matter expert. The Industry technical expert/subject matter expert must hold the unit being assessed and be currently working in the sector with a minimum of two (2) years’ of current work experience; or,

• when assessing this unit in the context of the Civil Construction  sector

• an assessor must demonstrate the skills and knowledge of this unit through five (5) years’ work experience in the Industry sector; and,
• where the assessor does not have current experience a co-assessment or partnership arrangement needs to exist between the qualified assessor and an Industry technical expert/ subject matter expert. The Industry technical expert/subject matter expert must hold the unit being assessed and be currently working in the sector with a minimum of two (2) years’ of current work experience.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=88a61002-9a21-4386-aaf8-69c76e675272