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Elements and Performance Criteria

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 confined spaces

analyse relevant workplace data ie incident and environmental monitoring to identify hazards assess risks and evaluate effectiveness of OHampS control measures

analyse working environment to identify hazards assess risks and design and implement appropriate OHampS control measures

assess the resources needed to establish and maintain systematic approaches to managing OHampS 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 OHampS record keeping

legislation organisational policies and procedures relevant to confined spaces

location of applicable organisational procedures and documents

participation and consultation on OHampS

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 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 to identify changes in workplace configurations and to manage a range of emergencies and events

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over a range of confined space entry 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 policies procedures relevant equipment including PPE required to support the control of a confined space entry and work areas in the area of responsibility

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 (combined 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
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
Organisational policy and procedures may include	Any established contingency plan or any plan formed specifically to counter ill effects of any likely occurrence Australian or international standards Documentation 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 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
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 Requirements for records of occupational injury and disease Requirements for provision of OH&S information and training State/territory/commonwealth OH&S 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 pre-defined 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 OH&S officer Reports to tasking officer Work permit completion after exit Written reports required by organisation