Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

1) Scope: 

1.1) Descriptor 

This Unit describes the skills and knowledge required to control gas odourisation. The competency standard also calls up the use of the appropriate tools and equipment; the emergency response procedures and the relevant documentation.

Application of the Unit 

2) 

This competency standard shall apply to any basic and safe work site where Gas Industry operations occur. It could also apply, where applicable to other workplaces in the electricity supply industry (transmission and distribution and generation), the electrotechnology industry and the water industry, subject to all Occupational Health and Safety and duty of care requirements being met for the workplace.

License to practice 

3)  

The skills and knowledge described in this unit are not subject to licence regulation other than those directly related to Occupational Health and Safety, gas/electricity/water industry safety and compliance, industrial relations, environmental protection, telecommunications, anti discrimination and training. Commonwealth, State/Territory or Local Government legislation and regulations may exist that limit the age at which a person can operate certain equipment.

Prerequisite Unit(s) 

4)  

Competencies 

4.1) 

Granting of competency in this unit shall be made only after competency in the following unit(s) has/have been confirmed:

Nil

Literacy and numeracy skills 

4.2)  

Participants are best equipped to achieve this unit if they have reading, writing and numeracy skills indicated by the following scales. Description of each scale is given in Volume 2, Part 3 'Literacy and Numeracy'

Reading

3

Writing

3

Numeracy

3

Employability Skills 

5)  

This unit contains Employability Skills

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of Employability Skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged will assist in identifying Employability Skill requirements.

6)  Elements describe the essential outcomes of a competency standard unit

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1

Prepare to odourise gas

1.1

Work schedule(s), including drawings, plans, requirements, established procedures and material lists are received, analysed and confirmed if necessary by site inspection

1.2

Relevant requirements and established procedures for the work are communicated to all persons and identified for all work sites

1.3

OHS, environmental and sustainable energy policies and procedures related to the control of gas odourisation are obtained and confirmed for the purposes of the work performed and communicated

1.4

Work is prioritised and sequenced following consultation with others for completion within acceptable timeframes and in accordance with established procedures

1.5

Risk control measures are identified and prioritised against the work schedule

1.6

Relevant work permits are obtained to access and perform work according to requirements and established procedures

1.7

Resources including persons, equipment, tools and personal protective equipment required for the job are identified, scheduled and obtained and confirmed in working order

1.8

Relevant persons at work site are confirmed to be current in First Aid and other related work procedures according to requirements

1.9

Liaison and communication issues with other/authorised persons, authorities, clients and land owners are resolved to carry out work where necessary

1.10

Site is prepared according to the work schedule and to minimise risk and damage to property, commerce and individuals in accordance with established procedures

1.11

Persons participating in the work, including plant operators and contractors are fully briefed and respective responsibilities confirmed where applicable in accordance with established procedures

1.12

Road signs, barriers and warning devices are positioned in accordance with requirements

2

Control odourisation

2.1

OHS and sustainable energy principles and practices to reduce the incidents of accidents and minimise waste are followed in accordance with requirements and established procedures

2.2

Lifting, climbing, working in confined spaces or aloft, and use of power tools, techniques and practices are safely followed and currency according to requirements confirmed

2.3

Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills are applied to the control of gas odourisation to ensure completion in an agreed timeframe and to quality standards with a minimum of waste according to requirements

2.4

Performing the control of gas odourisation is carried out in accordance with the work schedule and established procedures

2.5

Odourant is handled and transported and potential hazards, safety risks and control measures are monitored and preventative action taken in accordance with requirements and established procedures

2.6

Unplanned events in the control of gas odourisation are undertaken with the scope of established procedures

2.7

Known solutions to a variety of problems are applied using acquired Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills

2.8

Emergency shutdown procedures are applied and ongoing checks of quality of the work are undertaken in accordance with given instructions and established procedures

3

Shutdown odourisation operations

3.1

Shutdown is completed against works schedule for conformance with requirements and anomalies reported in accordance with established procedures

3.2

Accidents and injuries are reported in accordance with requirements/established procedures where applicable

3.3

Work site is rehabilitated, cleaned up and made safe in accordance with given instructions and established procedures

3.4

Tools, equipment and any surplus resources and materials are, where appropriate, cleaned, checked and returned to storage in accordance with established procedures

3.5

Relevant work permit(s) are signed off and equipment is returned to service in accordance with requirements

3.6

Work completion records, reports as installed/modified drawings and documentation and information are finalised and processed and appropriate persons notified

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Evidence shall show that knowledge has been acquired of safe working practices for controlling gas odourisation.

All knowledge and skills detailed in this unit should be contextualised to current industry practices and technologies.

KS01-G107B 

Gas odourisation 

G 3.2.42

Plan and prepare to odourise gas

Evidence shall show an understanding of the requirements to plan and prepare the odourisation of gas on a Gas Industry pipeline (Distribution), indicated by the following:

• MSDS, procedures, OHS and environmental requirements and procedures that require implementation prior to and during gas odourisation
• procedures, equipment, tools, chemicals and processes required to monitor and adjust odourant levels
• correct odourant and dosing levels
• types of emergencies and required emergency equipment and emergency response plans/procedures to relevant gas odourisation operations.

G 3.2.43

Control gas odourisation

Evidence shall show an understanding of the requirements to control gas odourisation on a Gas Industry pipeline (Distribution), indicated by the following:

• procedures and requirements for relevant operating equipment and tools to measure odourant levels
• measuring, filling and adjusting odourant levels in accordance with procedures, OHS and environmental requirements
• explanation of MSDS principles and procedures relevant to the handling and storage of odourant
• handling, storing and transporting odourant in accordance with procedures, OHS and environmental requirements
• procedures and OHS and environmental requirements for handling spills/leaks and disposing of waste
• disposal of waste products in accordance with procedures, OHS requirements and environmental requirements.

G 3.2.44

Shutdown gas odourisation operations

Evidence shall show an understanding of the requirements to shutdown gas odourisation for Gas Industry pipeline (Distribution), indicated by the following:

• situations that require shutdown and relevant actions to be undertaken
• odourant shutdown procedures and techniques
• required responses to various emergency situations including the use of emergency equipment and the application of first aid
• documentation to be developed in relation to shutdown procedures.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

9)  The Evidence Guide forms an integral part of this Unit and shall be used in conjunction with all components parts of this unit and performed in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Overview of Assessment 

9.1) 

Longitudinal competency development approaches to assessment, such as Profiling, require data to be reliably gathered in a form that can be consistently interpreted over time. This approach is best utilised in Apprenticeship programs and reduces assessment

intervention. It is the Industry’s preferred model for apprenticeships. However, where summative (or final) assessment is used it is to include the application of the competency in the normal work

environment or, at a minimum, the application of the competency in a realistically simulated work environment. It is recognised that, in some circumstances, assessment in part or full can occur outside the workplace. However, it must be in accord with industry and regulatory policy in this regard.

Methods chosen for a particular assessment will be influenced by various factors. These include the extent of the assessment, the most effective locations for the assessment activities to take place, access to physical resources, additional safety measures that may be required and the critical nature of the competencies being assessed.

The critical safety nature of working with electricity, electrical equipment, gas or any other hazardous substance/material carries risk in deeming a person competent. Hence, sources of evidence need to be ‘rich’ in nature so as to minimise error in judgment

Activities associated with normal every day work have a bearing on the decision as to how much and how detailed the data gathered will contribute to its ‘richness’. Some skills are more critical to safety and operational requirements while the same skills may be more or less frequently practised. These points are raised for the assessors to consider when choosing an assessment method and developing assessment instruments. Sample assessment instruments are included in the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Critical aspects of evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

9.2) 

Before the critical aspects of evidence are considered all prerequisites shall be met.

Evidence for competence in this unit shall be considered holistically. Each element and associated Performance Criteria shall be demonstrated on at least two occasions in accordance with the ‘Assessment Guidelines — UEG11’. Evidence shall also comprise:

• A representative body of Performance Criteria demonstrated within the timeframes typically expected of the discipline, work function and industrial environment. In particular this shall incorporate evidence that shows a candidate is able to:

• Implement Occupational Health and Safety workplace procedures and practices including the use of risk control measures as specified in the Performance Criteria and range

• Apply sustainable energy principles and practices as specified in the Performance Criteria and range

• Demonstrate an understanding of the essential knowledge and associated skills as described in this unit to such an extent that the learner’s performance outcome is reported in accordance with the preferred approach; namely a percentile graded result, where required by the regulated environment

• Demonstrate an appropriate level of employability skills

• Conduct work observing the relevant Anti discrimination legislation, regulations, polices and workplace procedures

• Demonstrate performance across a representative range of contexts from the prescribed items below

Range of tools/equipment/procedures/workplace 

Group No 

The minimum number of items on which skill is to be demonstrated 

Item List 

A

All

Interpret technical drawings and symbols

Ensure emergency response procedures are in place

Communicate with other authorities and stakeholders

Communicate schedules/coordinate to persons

Carry out job safety analysis

Obtain work permit

B

All

Operational safety

Understanding of environmental and OHS legislation

Interpret MSDS

Use of gas detection equipment

Correct odourant levels

Waste management procedures

C

At least 6

Tools and equipment:

Odourmeter

Lance, hoses, regulators

Emergency response kit including absorption material

Sodium hypochlorite (neutraliser)

Marking agent

Level indicator (magnetic detector)

Fire control systems

Emergency container

Transfer pump

Molecular sieve for venting

D

At least one occasion

Deal with an unplanned event by drawing on essential knowledge and associated skills to provide appropriate solutions incorporated in the holistic assessment with the above listed items

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

9.3) 

This unit should be assessed as it relates to normal work practice using procedures, information and resources typical of a workplace. This should include:

• OHS policy and work procedures and instructions.

• Suitable work environment, facilities, equipment and materials to undertake actual work as prescribed by this unit.

• Appropriate environmental regulation and work practices.

• Appropriate organisational requirements.

• Appropriate work environment, equipment and tools.

In addition to the resources listed above, in Context of and specific resources for assessment, evidence should show demonstrated competency in controlling gas odourisation.

Assessment of this competency must also be undertaken in either an actual workplace or under a simulated work environment. Assessment must also integrate the employability skills.

Method of assessment 

9.4) 

This Unit shall be assessed by methods given in Volume 1, Part 3 ‘Assessment Guidelines’.

Note: Competent performance with inherent safe working practices is expected in the Industry to which this Unit applies. This requires that the specified Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills are assessed in a structured environment which is primarily intended for learning/assessment and incorporates all necessary equipment and facilities for learners to develop and demonstrate the Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills described in this unit.

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units 

9.5) 

There are no recommended concurrent assessments with this unit, however in some cases efficiencies may be gained in terms of learning and assessment effort being concurrently managed with allied Units where listed.

UEGNSG102B

Carry out work activities in a utilities industry work environment

UEENEEE101A

Apply Occupational Health and Safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace

UEGNSG104B

Comply with environmental policies and procedures

UEGNSG105B

Establish the work site

BSBFLM312B

Contribute to team effectiveness

BSBFLM303C

Contribute to effective workplace relationships

RANGE STATEMENT 

10)  This relates to the competency standard unit as a whole providing the range of contexts and conditions to which the Performance Criteria apply. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

This Unit shall be demonstrated in relation to controlling gas odourisation.

The following constants and variables included in the element/Performance Criteria in this unit are fully described in the Definitions Section of this volume and form an integral part of the Range Statement of this unit:

Tools and Equipment (3)

Emergency Response (3)

Documentation (3)

Competency Field 

11)  

Cross discipline.