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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Plan and prepare for work in confined spaces.
  2. Enter and work in the confined space.
  3. Exit confined space.
  4. Clean up area.

Required Skills

Required skills

safe use of tools and equipment in a confined space

use of personal protective equipment

communication skills including clear and direct communication and active listening and questioning techniques to confirm work and safety requirements and maintain effective communication during operations

literacy and numeracy skills to interpret and follow plans specifications and work instructions and to monitor equipment and report defects

teamwork skills to maintain safety of affected personnel

problemsolving skills to identify and rectify safety issues regarding confined space and tools and equipment

Required knowledge

broad working knowledge of relevant federal state or territory and local government OHS legislation and regulations relating to working in confined spaces

Australian standard for working in confined spaces

relevant workplace policies and procedures

emergency procedures

responsibilities and authorities for site isolation and site control

atmospheric monitoring devices

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

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

Evidence of the following is essential

ability to access interpret and apply relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures related to working in confined spaces

effective communication to ensure safe operation

working in confined spaces on multiple occasions for at least three different confined space projects to ensure consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure

demonstration of skills in a facility with confined space work areas such as a cemetery or crematorium

access to relevant documentation such as work instructions and entry permits

access to tools and equipment including personal protective equipment and emergency rescue equipment

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

direct observation of candidate completing safe entry exit and work in a range of confined spaces

written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of equipment specifications and operating procedures workplace policies and procedures and relevant legislation

review of portfolios of evidence and thirdparty workplace reports of onthejob performance by the candidate

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended for example

SIFBCRA Dig a grave manually

SIFBCR020A Dig a grave manually.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role


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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Work instructions may include:

work method

specifications

quality requirements, such as:

dimensions

tolerances

standards of work as detailed in project drawings

material standards as detailed in project drawings

specifications

project documentation

operational details

tools and equipment.

Safety requirements may include:

hazards and risks, such as:

restricted means of entry and exit

potentially harmful levels of contaminant

atmosphere containing unsafe oxygen levels

engulfment equipment in crematoria

inadequate shoring

workers with poor levels of fitness affecting their heat tolerance

weather

ground conditions

grave location dimensions and age

respiratory protection devices, such as:

air purifying respirators

self-contained compressed air breathing apparatus

supplied airline breathing apparatus

escape breathing apparatus

atmospheric monitoring devices.

Characteristics of the confined space may include:

size and location of grave

access to grave, crypt, vault or cremator

presence of hazardous substances, such as hydrogen sulphide from decomposing matter or carbon monoxide from water bailing pumps

presence of flammable contaminants generated by methane of decomposing matter

presence of unsafe oxygen levels associated with sealed coffins, crypt and graves

presence of materials that may result in engulfment through cave in

mechanical hazards, such as backhoes or conveyors

objects falling into the space, such as monuments or soil and rocks

ignition hazards, such as:

sources of heat

static or friction

plant that poses risks, such as welding, cutting or electronic equipment

grinding, chipping and sandblasting

electrical hazards

poor ventilation

environmental hazards, such as:

water levels

seepage from neighbouring gravesites

high water tables

non-compacted soil

biological hazards, such as:

viruses and bacteria

microbes and pathogens carried in the water or in decomposing tissue

insects, snakes and vermin.

Relevant legislation may include:

OHS

applicable Australian standard for working in confined spaces.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:

safe work procedures in relation to:

recognising and preventing hazards

working in proximity to others

worksite visitors and the public

communication

reporting

manual or machine gravedigging

maintenance of tools and equipment.

Appropriate personnel may include:

physically able

psychologically able.

Authorisation may include:

entry permits, such as allocated entry time to confined space

work permits, such as:

location of work

duration of work

size of work crew

atmospheric testing requirements

use of personal protective equipment

hot work

stand-by personnel

rescue arrangements

rescue equipment

signs and barriers.

Confined space may include:

boiler furnace

grave

tank

pit

pipe

container

crypt

vault

duct

well

receptacle that:

contains or has contained harmful substances, or that is capable of producing them

contains or has contained (or made of or lined or coated with) substances capable of reducing amount of oxygen present to a dangerous level.

Tools and equipment may include:

harness and lifeline

respirator apparatus

atmospheric testing equipment

signs

barricades

communication devices

specific tools and equipment relevant to work to be performed.

Signage may include:

site safety signage

temporary signage for cemetery visitors.

Environmental protection requirements may include:

organisational or project environmental management plan

waste management

water quality protection

noise

vibration

dust and clean-up management.

Rescue equipment may include:

tripods

hoist devices

props

shovels

backhoes

excavators

harnesses

strap and ropes

shoring timber.