Assessor Resource

DEFOH014B
Test confined space environment

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit was developed for Defence workers involved in the testing of confined space environments 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 be able to 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.

This unit covers of the competency required to test the environment of confined spaces to ensure safe entry and egress. This includes the preparation for and conduct of the test procedures and all post test procedures.

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.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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

Assessment must confirm the ability:

plan and prepare for testing

accurately record and analyse test results

report abnormalities

maintain records/documentation

apply knowledge of relevant work health and safety legislative requirements

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 an actual or simulated confined space environment test. Documented evidence of all relevant reports and tests of the activity should be submitted as evidence for assessment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to the organisational legislation, codes of practice, guidance material, policies/procedures and relevant equipment including PPE required to support testing of confined space environment.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

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 contaminants/threats

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

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.

Potential contaminants may include:

Dusts/fumes/gases/vapours/particles

Hazardous substances

Liquids

Noise

Radiation (Ionising or nonionising)

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

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 state/territory/commonwealth WHS 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 reuse or storage

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Confined space potential contaminants are identified. 
Organisational restrictions or requirements pertinent to the confined space are identified. 
Equipment and resources required for the testing are identified, acquired and prepared. 
Work health and safety (WHS) requirements are applied throughout the testing procedures. 
Testing sample is obtained in accordance with testing protocols. 
Tests are conducted and results are recorded in accordance with testing protocols. 
Test results are analysed in accordance with testing protocols. 
Confined space environment is monitored. 
Documentation and reports are completed. 
Testing equipment is cleaned and refurbished. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

DEFOH014B - Test confined space environment
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

DEFOH014B - Test confined space environment

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: