DEFOH013B Enter confined space

Release: 2

DEFOH013B Enter confined space

Modification History

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.

Unit Descriptor

This unit covers the competency required to plan and prepare to enter confined spaces, to enter the confined space and to finalise egress at the conclusion of the task/s.

An individual undertakes this competency as part of a team in conjunction with other individuals who also have this competency.

In the context of this unit, a confined space is any compartment or area that has one of the following characteristics:

limited opening for access

no escape route or very restricted means of escape

limited natural ventilation

atmosphere containing more than 23.5% or less than 19.5% oxygen

and has the capability of accumulating a toxic, flammable or explosive atmosphere, or of being flooded.

It is expected that one or more of the team members, or a team member not working in the confined space, will hold a current, recognised, first aid certificate.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. In a Defence context, this means that there is no civilian need to hold this unit in order to meet licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements.

Application of the Unit

This unit was developed for Defence workers involved in entering confined spaces as a workplace responsibility, but it is applicable to all individuals who work in this field.

Typically, these individuals must demonstrate the ability to work independently or as part of a team under indirect supervision. They must be able to use discretion and judgement and take responsibility for the quality of their outputs.

All activities are carried out in accordance with relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Not applicable.

Pre-Requisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills Information

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

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.

Elements and Performance Criteria

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 Preentry 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.

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 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

Evidence Guide

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.

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.
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 setup 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
Preentry 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 reuse 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

Unit Sector(s)

Not applicable.