Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

Prepare for environmental testing
Test confined space for contaminants/ threats
Finalise test/s
- Documentation and reports are completed in accordance with organisational procedures
- Testing equipment is cleaned and refurbished in accordance with organisational procedures

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Required Skills

access read interpret and apply information on testing

analyse test results

communicate effectively

identify and report on contaminantsthreats

operate test equipment

Required Knowledge

analysis procedures

engineering controls

legislation organisational policies and procedures relevant to confined space entry

operating procedures of relevant test equipment

principles of atmospheric monitoring

sampling procedures

testing protocols

Evidence Required

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to observe and respond to changing circumstances and unusual situations in the workplace to review relevant workplace documentation to conduct a quality assurance check against previous recommendations and to identify changes in workplace configurations

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over a range of confined space tests that could be expected in the workplace

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment

Specific resources for assessment

Access to the organisational legislation codes of practice guidance material policiesprocedures and relevant equipment including PPE required to support testing of confined space environment

Guidance information for assessment

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA Public Safety Training Package

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

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.
Confined spaces may include	Any compartment or area with limited opening for access and no escape route, and with limited natural ventilation or an atmosphere containing more than 23.5% or less than 19.5% oxygen, and the capability of accumulating a toxic, flammable or explosive atmosphere, or of being flooded Examples of confined spaces may include: fuel tanks (diesoline, gasoline, kerosene, AVCAT) or any other liquid or gaseous fuel water tanks (feed, fresh, ballast), void spaces, cofferdams, double bottoms/wing compartments, sewage treatment tanks (combine holding tank system) oil tanks (sludge oil, lubricating, hydraulic), cable lockers (anchor cable stowage) open-topped spaces such as pits or degreasers, pipes, sewers, shafts, ducts and similar structures boiler drums, steam turbine casing, main condensers, gas turbine rotor casing, piston engine enclosed crankcase, main circulating water inlet and discharge pipes, pressure vessels
Potential contaminants may include	Dusts/fumes/gases/vapours/particles Hazardous substances Liquids Noise Radiation (Ionising or non-ionising)
Organisational policy and procedures may include	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 Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Organisational policies and procedures Previous testing reports Risk assessments Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) Testing and analysis protocols Task analysis
Equipment and resources may include	Testing equipment as required by SOPs Testing equipment pertinent to the perceived contaminant/threat
Preparation of equipment and resources may include	Testing equipment for safe operation (confidence testing) prescribed by manufacturer Testing equipment for serviceability
Occupational health and safety requirements may include	General duty of care under OH&S legislation and common law Provisions relating to health and safety representatives and/or OH&S committees Provisions relating to OH&S issue resolution state/territory/commonwealth OH&S acts, regulations, codes of practice and guidance material relating to hazards present in workplace and industry
Testing sample may include	Quantity required to obtain valid result Sending sample with appropriate paperwork to testing laboratory for specialised tests
Recording test results may include	Manual or automated recording systems
Analysis of test results may include	Comparison against known standards Determination of safe levels of contaminants/threats
Monitoring of the confined space environment may include	Maintaining testing regime while in confined space, be it continuous or periodic, in accordance with entry plan and work permit Monitoring if determined under risk assessment Monitoring in response to work being undertaken in the space
Documentation and reports may include	Testing equipment usage reports/logs Work permit completion after testing Written reports required by organisation
Cleaning and refurbishing testing equipment may include	Decontamination procedures Disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE) Disposal of test samples Inspection, servicing and cleaning equipment ready for re-use or storage