Application
This unit describes the skills required to identify actual or potential confined spaces prior to entering a confined space for work purposes. The unit includes recognising actual and potential confined spaces in one’s work environment and understanding the broad limitations they impose on work practices. It also covers identifying potential work health and safety (WHS) concerns and seeking further advice and/or applying appropriate procedures when dealing with WHS issues.
In the context of this unit, a confined space is any compartment or area that has the capability of accumulating a toxic, flammable or explosive atmosphere, or of being flooded, in addition to 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
This unit was developed for Defence personnel involved in the identification of confined spaces as a workplace responsibility, but is applicable to all individuals who work in this field.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.
Those undertaking this unit would 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. They would perform routine tasks in a range of familiar contexts.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section. |
1. Recognise a confined space | 1.1 Select and don required personal protective equipment (PPE) to identify a confined space. 1.2 Review nature of the possible work space and its characteristics. 1.3 Assess possible work space for its potential to be a confined space. 1.4 Determine precautions to be taken in the presence of a harmful atmosphere. 1.5 Identify and assess other hazards and factors associated with the possible work space to determine the level of risk associated with that space. 1.6 Refer identified hazards to appropriate personnel/authority for further investigation and analysis, where uncertainty exists about confined space potential. 1.7 Confirm safety of possible work space. |
2. Carry out appropriate action after identifying a confined space | 2.1 Identify and document potential WHS issues. 2.2 Undertake, document and revise risk assessment, whenever there is evidence to indicate that it is no longer valid. 2.3 Document broad limitations the confined space may impose on work practices. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.
accessing, reading, interpreting and applying information on confined spaces
identifying and reporting hazards
understanding the possible nature of the environment
identifying intervention points for expert advice to assist work and to guide problem solving
identifying principle risks and associated mitigation
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.
appropriate signage, symbols, labels and warning devices
location of applicable organisational procedures and documents
preferred order of ways to control WHS risk – hierarchy of controls
rights and responsibilities of workplace parties under WHS legislation
Assessment Conditions
Competency should be assessed in an actual workplace or in a simulated environment, with access to equipment and infrastructure appropriate to the outcome. Competency should be demonstrated over time to ensure the candidate is assessed across a variety of situations.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The foundation skills demands of this unit have been mapped for alignment with the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The following tables outline the performance levels indicated for successful attainment of the unit.
Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the Foundation Skills Guide on the GSA website.
Competency Field
Work Health & Safety