MSMWHS217 Gas test atmospheres

Release: 1

MSMWHS217 Gas test atmospheres

Modification History

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to MSAPMOHS217A Gas test atmospheres

Application

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to test the working atmosphere, using electronic test apparatus, to find out if it is safe for the proposed work.

It applies to situations where an individual may be required to carry out gas testing of an atmosphere prior to entering a specific area or workspace. The competency requires the person to interpret readings and take actions based on the interpretation.

Working environment may be hazardous, unpredictable, subject to time pressure, chaotic and expose responders to risk, on land or water, by day or night. Workplace atmospheres may include visible and invisible hazards and hazardous surfaces.

The unit is suitable for use in the following situations:

confined spaces

enclosed and partially enclosed spaces

hot work

storage tanks, silos, pits, pipes, shafts, ducts, transport vehicles and ships

testing as part of issuing a work permit

monitoring as part of working under a work permit

open areas

holding the gas tester by hand

lowering the gas tester into a space, e.g. on a line.

This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members and the control room operator, as appropriate.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Competency Field

Work health and safety

Unit Sector

Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes	Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element
1	Prepare for gas testing	1.1	Find out type of gas/atmosphere to be tested
1.2	Select and calibrate equipment in accordance with procedures
1.3	Find out gas testing regime/sampling pattern required
1.4	Identify hazards from possible atmosphere contaminants
1.5	Implement hazard control measures and use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

2	Test gas	2.1	Use gas testing equipment to test gas as required
2.2	Interpret and report readings
2.3	Monitor gas on an ongoing basis as required
2.4	Take required action if readings are unacceptable
2.5	Communicate required actions to be taken to appropriate personnel

3	Maintain equipment	3.1	Clean and maintain gas testing equipment in accordance with procedures
3.2	Inspect and fault-find monitoring equipment in accordance with procedures
3.3	Return gas testing equipment to required location and in required condition
3.4	Maintain records of tests and results in accordance with procedures

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range of Conditions

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.
Regulatory framework	The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used, and include one or more of the following: legislative requirements, including work health and safety (WHS) industry codes of practice and guidelines environmental regulations and guidelines Australian and other standards licence and certification requirements AS 2865-2009 Confined spaces AS 1674.1-1997 Welding and allied processes - Fire precautions
Procedures	All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures. Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, and include one or more of the following: emergency procedures work instructions standard operating procedures (SOPs) safe work method statements (SWMS) formulas/recipes batch sheets temporary instructions any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant
Tools and equipment	Tools and equipment include one or more of the following: portable instruments sampling tubes and pumps oxygen level meter combustible gas detectors other hazardous gas meters PPE
Routine problems	Routine problems must be resolved by applying known solutions. Routine problems include one or more of the following: changes in readings unexpected readings faults in equipment Known solutions include one or more of the following: procedures training remembered experience Non-routine problems must be reported according to according to relevant procedures.
Hazards	Hazards include one or more of the following: smoke, darkness and heat heat, smoke, dust or other atmospheric hazards electricity gas gases and liquids under pressure structural hazards structural collapse equipment failures industrial (machinery, equipment and product) equipment or product mass noise, rotational equipment or vibration limited head spaces or overhangs working at heights, in restricted or confined spaces, or in environments subjected to heat, noise, dusts or vapours fire and explosion flammability and explosivity hazardous products and materials unauthorised personnel sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions slippery surfaces, spills or leaks limited head spaces or overhangs extreme weather other hazards that might arise

Unit Mapping Information

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to MSAPMOHS217A Gas test atmospheres

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=d1287d36-dff4-4e9f-ad2c-9d6270054027