DEFOH015B Control entry to confined spaces

Release 2

DEFOH015B Control entry to confined spaces

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 of the competency required to control entry and egress to confined spaces.

While exercising the control of entry to confined space may not require the competency to enter confined space, it requires awareness of the legislative requirements and organisational procedures related to confined space entry.

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.

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 the control of entry to confined spaces as a workplace responsibility, but 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 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. Plan and prepare for control of confined space entry	1.1 Requirement for confined space entry is identified from work requests/instructions and is confirmed. 1.2 Confined space entry permit and any limitations are identified. 1.3 Organisational restrictions or requirements pertinent to the confined space entry are identified. 1.4 Team and individual roles and responsibilities within the team are confirmed. 1.5 Work health and safety (WHS) requirements are applied throughout control of the operation
2. Control access and egress to confined space	2.1 Entry and egress of the confined space is monitored and recorded in accordance with work permit conditions. 2.2 Communication and consultation with the confined space entry team is maintained in accordance with work permit conditions. 2.3 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 analyse relevant workplace data i.e. incident and environmental monitoring, to identify hazards, assess risks and evaluate effectiveness of WHS control measures analyse working environment to identify hazards, assess risks and design and implement appropriate WHS control measures assess the resources needed to establish and maintain systematic approaches to managing WHS including a range of control measures communicate effectively operate any equipment pertinent to the control of confined space entry
Required Knowledge
appropriate emergency response procedures appropriate signage, symbols, labels and barriers entry permit procedures incident and accident investigation including WHS record keeping legislation, organisational policies and procedures relevant to confined spaces location of applicable organisational procedures and documents participation and consultation on WHS risk management principles and application of appropriate measures including hierarchy of control role of technical information and experts in designing control measures, and monitoring systems training and competency requirements for confined space entry

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 controlled space entry control access and egress to confined spaces including active monitoring of the space communication and consultation with the confined space team completion of documentation and necessary reports 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 in 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 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 the actual or simulated control of entry to a confined space. Documented evidence of all relevant reports and tests of the control activity should be submitted as evidence for assessment. Specific resources for assessment Access to the organisational legislation, codes of practice, guidance material, policies, procedures, relevant equipment (including PPE) required to support the control of a confined space entry, and work areas in the area of responsibility.

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.
Entry permit may include:	Any and all information under legislation or organisational requirements
Limitations on entry permits may include:	Emergency situation requirements Equipment and/or clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements Medical constraints on personnel entering Minimum/maximum numbers in teams entering confined space Monitoring/testing requirements Reporting/documentation requirement Time limitations for working within the confined space or before returning to the confined space
Work health and safety requirements 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 Requirements for records of occupational injury and disease Requirements for provision of WHS information and training State/territory/commonwealth WHS acts, regulations, codes of practice and guidance material relating to hazards present in the workplace and the industry
Monitoring entry and egress of the confined space may include:	Contacting participants in the confined space and/or the supervisor outside if test level exceeds predefined limits or equipment malfunctions Maintaining testing regime for confined space, be it continuous or periodic, in accordance with entry plan and work permit
Communication and consultation may include:	Continuous or periodic verbal and/or visual and/or electronic communication in accordance with work permit/entry plan Continuous or regular communication with participants in confined space and/or standby personnel outside
Documentation and reports may include:	Entry/egress 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.