Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

NWP219A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Work safely in confined spaces

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency NWP219A - Work safely in confined spaces
Description This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to work safely in confined spaces in the water industry. Working in confined spaces poses specific health and safety risks and the ability to follow defined workplace policies and procedures, OHS policies and procedures and regulatory requirements are essential for safe practice.
Employability Skills This unit of competency contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for field and operational staff within the water industry who are required to work safely in confined spaces.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field Common
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Assess confined space for entry.
  • Check OHS manuals, standard workplace instructions and policies dealing with working in confined spaces.
  • Confirm purpose for entry to confined space.
  • Conduct risk assessment of confined space access activity and document according to organisational, legislative and regulatory requirements.
  • Review established emergency procedures to be put in place as required.
       
Element: Plan and prepare for entry.
  • Identify workplace proceduresand work instructions for controlling risks in confined spaces and use to plan entry.
  • Record on entry permit safety equipment and personal protective equipment to be used.
  • Conduct isolation procedures prior to entry when appropriate to planned entry.
  • Conduct atmospheric assessment of confined space and record results on entry permit.
  • Set up and locate equipment specified on entry permit.
  • Confirm communication and emergency response procedures with the stand-by person.
  • Complete and process entry permit authorising entry to confined space following required procedures.
       
Element: Enter confined space safely.
  • Select, fit and use personal protective equipment specified on entry permit.
  • Ensure entry permit is signed prior to entering confined space.
  • Ensure entry to confined space is controlled according to requirements specified in entry permit.
  • Continue atmospheric monitoring while the confined space is occupied.
  • Maintain communication with stand-by person and confined space entry personnel.
  • Complete task to be undertaken in confined space according to organisational procedures and safe work practices.
       
Element: Conclude confined space operations.
  • Ensure confined space is evacuated and sign-out is completed on entry permit.
  • Ensure signature of authorised person on entry permit is gained at completion of operations.
  • Ensure confined space entry equipment is cleaned, examined and stored according to manufacturer and organisational requirements.
  • Ensure confined space is secured according to organisational requirements.
       


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.

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

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

The candidate should demonstrate the ability to work safely in confined spaces by:

planning work in confined spaces effectively

identifying and using specified and required safety equipment

applying entry permit process accurately and according to specified procedures

applying OHS requirements in relation to working in confined spaces within the water industry

assessing risks

working effectively with team members and in particular the stand-by person

conducting air monitoring procedures

working effectively within confined spaces to complete required tasks

completing work and exiting confined space

completing required documentation

handling, cleaning and maintaining equipment effectively and according to standard operating procedures.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Access to the workplace and resources including:

documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation

relevant codes, standards and government regulations.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice

a decision of competence should only be made when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence over time and in various contexts

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence

where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time

assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator and cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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:

work in accordance with risk assessments and entry permits

apply relevant Australian and New Zealand standard AS/NZS2865: 2001 Safe Working in Confined Spaces

perform work-related calculations

identify and control hazards in confined spaces

fit personal protective equipment

conduct atmospheric assessments with electronic gas detector

maintain equipment

prepare space for entry

access, interpret and apply relevant legislative responsibilities

identify and report hazards

communicate effectively in the workplace

work effectively as part of a team

use literacy skills in regard to verbal and written communication in the workplace

complete relevant workplace records and reports.

Required knowledge:

types of confined spaces encountered in the water industry

organisational procedures for confined space entry

safe systems of work

use of equipment for confined space entry

hazards to health and safety in confined spaces

hazard identification procedures

OHS requirements for confined space entry

atmospheric hazards and assessment methods

site and equipment safety requirements

isolation procedures

lock-out and tag-out procedures

first aid

emergency procedures.

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. Add any 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.

Confined spaces may include:

water pipe systems and tunnels

access chambers, manholes and shafts

valve pits and sumps

live or inactive sewer mains

wastewater pump wells

tanks, such as water and chemical storage, digesters and filter cells

stormwater systems and environmental traps

trenches.

Risk assessment of the confined space access activity may include analysis of:

restricted means of entry and exit

atmosphere that contains potentially harmful levels of contaminants

unsafe oxygen levels

engulfment hazards and need for hydraulic isolation

working with hazardous equipment and materials

working in hot or cold conditions

working in high places.

Workplace proceduresand work instructions may include:

application of entry permit procedures

hazard policies and procedures

emergency, engulfment, fire and accident procedures

procedures for the use of personal protective clothing and equipment

hazard identification and issue resolution procedures

job procedures and work instructions.

Safety equipment and personal protective equipment will vary according to nature of work undertaken but may include:

self-rescue respiratory protection devices

self-contained compressed air breathing apparatus

supplied airline breathing apparatus and escape breathing apparatus

atmospheric monitoring devices

harness and lifeline

fall arrest and winching system

ventilation equipment

signs

barricades

communication devices

tools and equipment relevant to work to be performed

waterproof overalls

non-slip safety footwear

hard hat

protective gloves.

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
Check OHS manuals, standard workplace instructions and policies dealing with working in confined spaces. 
Confirm purpose for entry to confined space. 
Conduct risk assessment of confined space access activity and document according to organisational, legislative and regulatory requirements. 
Review established emergency procedures to be put in place as required. 
Identify workplace proceduresand work instructions for controlling risks in confined spaces and use to plan entry. 
Record on entry permit safety equipment and personal protective equipment to be used. 
Conduct isolation procedures prior to entry when appropriate to planned entry. 
Conduct atmospheric assessment of confined space and record results on entry permit. 
Set up and locate equipment specified on entry permit. 
Confirm communication and emergency response procedures with the stand-by person. 
Complete and process entry permit authorising entry to confined space following required procedures. 
Select, fit and use personal protective equipment specified on entry permit. 
Ensure entry permit is signed prior to entering confined space. 
Ensure entry to confined space is controlled according to requirements specified in entry permit. 
Continue atmospheric monitoring while the confined space is occupied. 
Maintain communication with stand-by person and confined space entry personnel. 
Complete task to be undertaken in confined space according to organisational procedures and safe work practices. 
Ensure confined space is evacuated and sign-out is completed on entry permit. 
Ensure signature of authorised person on entry permit is gained at completion of operations. 
Ensure confined space entry equipment is cleaned, examined and stored according to manufacturer and organisational requirements. 
Ensure confined space is secured according to organisational requirements. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

NWP219A - Work safely in confined spaces
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

NWP219A - Work safely in confined spaces

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: