Application
This unit was developed for Defence workers involved in the control of entry to confined spaces 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 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. Plan and prepare for control of confined space entry | 1.1 Requirement for confined space entry is identified from work requests/instructions and is confirmed. 1.2 Confined space entry permit and any limitations are identified. 1.3 Organisational restrictions or requirements pertinent to the confined space entry are identified. 1.4 Team and individual roles and responsibilities within the team are confirmed. 1.5 Work health and safety (WHS) requirements are applied throughout control of the operation |
2. Control access and egress to confined space | 2.1 Entry and egress of the confined space is monitored and recorded in accordance with work permit conditions. 2.2 Communication and consultation with the confined space entry team is maintained in accordance with work permit conditions. 2.3 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 analyse relevant workplace data i.e. incident and environmental monitoring, to identify hazards, assess risks and evaluate effectiveness of WHS control measures analyse working environment to identify hazards, assess risks and design and implement appropriate WHS control measures assess the resources needed to establish and maintain systematic approaches to managing WHS 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 WHS record keeping legislation, organisational policies and procedures relevant to confined spaces location of applicable organisational procedures and documents participation and consultation on WHS 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: plan and prepare for controlled space entry control access and egress to confined spaces including active monitoring of the space communication and consultation with the confined space team completion of documentation and necessary reports 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 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 the actual or simulated control of entry to a confined space. Documented evidence of all relevant reports and tests of the control activity should be submitted as evidence for assessment. 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. |
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. | |
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 |
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 Requirements for records of occupational injury and disease Requirements for provision of WHS information and training State/territory/commonwealth WHS 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 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 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.