DEFOH013B
Enter confined space

This unit covers the competency required to plan and prepare to enter confined spaces, to enter the confined space and to finalise egress at the conclusion of the task/s.An individual undertakes this competency as part of a team in conjunction with other individuals who also have this competency.In the context of this unit, a confined space is any compartment or area that has one of the following characteristics:limited opening for accessno escape route or very restricted means of escapelimited natural ventilationatmosphere containing more than 23.5% or less than 19.5% oxygenand has the capability of accumulating a toxic, flammable or explosive atmosphere, or of being flooded.It is expected that one or more of the team members, or a team member not working in the confined space, will hold a current, recognised, first aid certificate. 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.

Application

This unit was developed for Defence workers involved in entering confined spaces as a workplace responsibility, but it 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.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for confined space entry

1.1 Requirement for confined space entry is identified from work requests/instructions and is confirmed.

1.2 Duration of and limitations on the tasks to be performed in the confined space are identified.

1.3 Organisational restrictions or requirements that apply to confined space entry are identified.

1.4 Equipment and resources required for the confined space entry are identified, acquired and prepared.

1.5 Work health and safety (WHS) requirements are applied throughout the operation

1.6 Confined space is prepared for entry.

1.7 Team and individual roles and responsibilities within the team are confirmed and delegated.

1.8 Preentry tests and checks are conducted in accordance with organisational and manufacturers’ requirements.

2. Enter confined spaces

2.1 Entry/egress points are identified.

2.2 Environmental conditions are monitored.

2.3 Communications are maintained.

2.4 Equipment and resources are operated and used in accordance with manufacturers’ requirements and organisational procedures.

2.5 Entry permit conditions are adhered to.

2.6 All unexpected situations that require a quick and decisive response are recognised and responded to.

2.7 Task/s for which confined space entry was required are conducted.

3. Finalise confined space entry

3.1 Confined space is exited.

3.2 Equipment is cleaned and refurbished.

3.3 Documentation and reports are completed.

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

assess risks and apply effective risk control measures

communicate effectively

identify and report hazards

identify stored energy sources

operate any equipment pertinent to the confined space entry and task to be performed

work in a confined space

Required Knowledge

applicable organisational procedures and documents

appropriate signage and protective barriers

legislation, organisational policies and procedures relevant to confined spaces

risk assessment procedures

safety equipment operations

work methods analysis

Evidence Required

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

plan and prepare for entry into the confined space

maintain communications

adhere to entry permit conditions

report abnormalities

maintain documentation

apply knowledge of relevant work health and safety legislative frameworks

apply principles and practices of work health and safety

identify intervention points for expert advice to assist 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 or 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 entry into a confined space. A record of all relevant reports 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 required to support a confined space entry.


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.

Duration of and limitations on tasks may include:

Climbing equipment or ladders

Lifelines

Limitations associated with either the task or the environment that require limited time to reduce the exposure risk, or are imposed because of equipment limitations (e.g. breathing apparatus limitations)

obstructions that limit access to or from areas within the confined space

Requirements for special breathing apparatus

Restrictions on activities that may be undertaken without specific action such as exhausting volatile gases before welding

Working at heights

Slippery surfaces

Special clothing

Time limit on exposure necessitating rotation of personnel through confined space in order to complete the task that initiated the entry requirement

Tasks may include

Any activity that is to be performed inside the confined space

Organisational restrictions and requirements may include:

Any established contingency plan or any plan formed specifically to counter ill effects of any likely occurrence

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

Lockout and isolation procedures

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Organisational policies and procedures

Risk assessments

Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Task analysis

Equipment and resources may include:

Detection/monitoring equipment such as used to detect gases, radiation

Equipment which is intrinsically safe

Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety helmets, eye protection, hearing protection, skin protection, belts, special boots

Ropes, lifelines, ladders, karabiners

Safety equipment such as breathing apparatus

Preparation of equipment and resources may include:

Confined space work permit completed and issued

Forced ventilation setup

Recharging air bottles

Work health and safety requirements pertain to all relevant WHS legislation and 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 the workplace and the industry

Preparing a confined space for entry may include:

Cooling

Emptying

Heating

Installing appropriate signage and protective barriers

Isolation

Lockout

Ventilating

Preentry tests or checks may include:

Testing confined space atmosphere

Testing equipment for safe operation (confidence testing) prescribed by manufacturer

Testing equipment for serviceability

Monitoring environmental conditions may include:

Maintaining testing regime while in confined space, be it continuous or periodic, in accordance with entry plan and work permit

Monitoring in response to risk assessment

Monitoring in response to work being undertaken in the space

Maintaining communications may include:

Continuous or periodic verbal and/or visual and/or electronic communication in accordance with work permit/entry plan

Emergency response procedures

Cleaning and refurbishing equipment may include:

Decontamination procedures

Disposal of PPE

Drying harnesses, ropes and safety lines

Inspecting, servicing and cleaning equipment ready for reuse or storage

Recharging of batteries, air bottles, gas bottles

Documentation and reports may include:

Equipment usage reports/logs

Reports to WHS officer

Reports to tasking officer

Work permit completion after exit

Written reports required by organisation


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.