Evidence shall show that knowledge has been acquired of safe working practices and ensuring the safety of hazardous areas. All knowledge and skills detailed in this unit should be contextualised to current industry practices and technologies. KS01-EM078A Hazardous areas compliance requirements Evidence shall show an understanding of hazardous areas compliance requirements to an extent indicated by the following aspects: T1 Occupational Health and Safety responsibilities related to hazardous areas encompassing: the main features and purpose of a ‘clearance to work’ system (includes hot work permit systems). typical safety procedures that should be followed before entering a hazardous area; the purpose of gas detectors and their limitations; effects of temperature on gas and vapour detection; frequency of monitoring for presence of gas or vapours, i.e. effects of temperature rise; factors affecting the accuracy of gas detectors, for example, contamination, condensation, temperature; safety in use of gas detectors, for example, ‘read and run concept’ the safety precautions to be taken when working in a hazardous area. T2 The roles of the parties involved in the safety of hazardous areas encompassing: common Acts and Regulations related to the safety of hazardous areas and the Authorities responsible for their implementation; where assistance and further information can be obtained to assist persons with hazardous area responsibilities, for example, Standard bodies, experienced consultants; and the hazardous area responsibilities of the owner of premises in which a hazardous area exists; the occupier of premises in which a hazardous area exists; enterprises and personnel engaged in installation and/or maintenance of explosion-protection systems; enterprises and personnel engaged in the classification of hazardous areas and/or design of explosion-protection systems; enterprises and personnel engaged in the overhaul, modification and/or assessment of explosion-protected equipment; enterprises and personnel engaged in the inspection of explosion-protection installations; manufacturers of explosion-protected equipment; designated authorities; insurers. T3 Properties of combustible substances and their potential to create an explosive hazard encompassing: condition in the workplace that will lead to an explosion; the terms ‘combustion’, ‘ignition’ and ‘propagation’; explosive range of substances encountered in the workplace i.e. LEL/UEL; explosive parameters of substances as given in tables of substance properties Note: Combustible materials are gases, vapours (from liquids), and dusts; flash point. the difference between gases and vapours; and the toxic nature of gases and vapours and potential harmful consequences. T4 The nature of hazardous areas encompassing: the Standards definition of a ‘hazardous area’; the recommended methods for classifying the type and degree of explosion hazard in an area; hazardous area classifications as defined by Standards; and factors that are considered when a hazardous area is classified. the basics of how explosion-protection is achieved by the methods of exclusion, containment, energy limitation, dilution, avoidance of ignition source. T5 The responsibilities of a person managing activities or a site related to a hazardous area, encompassing: OHS procedures that are to be established; responsibilities for ensuring that a hazardous area is safe; and responsibilities and processes for establishing and maintaining a verification dossier. T6 Explosion-protection strategies in relation to a hazardous area, encompassing: the process of classifying a hazardous area; various ways in which electrical systems /apparatus can be treated to prevent them from becoming an ignition source; and the cost of the different ways of treating electrical systems/apparatus associated with hazardous areas. T7 Requirements for the maintenance of electrical systems associated with hazardous areas, encompassing: the type and grades of inspection of hazardous areas; maintenance programs for electrical explosion-protected systems/apparatus; and documentation requirements associated with maintenance procedures. |