This competency covers the knowledge and skills required for a safety observer (sometimes called a hole watcher or a fire watch). Safety observers can stop permit work, but do not have the authority to restart it. It includes:

understanding the permit system and the individual permit's requirements

observing work being performed

noting any change in conditions and taking required action.

Pre-requisite Units

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for the job

1.1. Check the permit(s) issues are appropriate and sufficient for the work to be done

1.2. Prepare a rescue/incident response plan in accordance with procedures

1.3. Check plan is workable within the approved job procedures and issued permit(s)

1.4. Request revision of job procedures and or permit(s) to ensure rescue/incident response plan is practical.

2. Control the permit site.

2.1. Interpret the hazard controls required by the permit(s)

2.2. Check all hazard controls are complied with all the time

2.3. Maintain constant communication with workers

2.4. Control entry to and exit from the work site in accordance with the requirements of the permit(s)

2.5. Monitor the environment of the work site and adjacent areas

2.6. Monitor scope and location of work as defined by the permit(s)

2.7. Withdraw permit(s) and shut down work site if conditions vary from those required by the permit.

3. Take appropriate action for potential incident.

3.1. Ensure all required first response equipment is in the location specified by the permit(s) and is in working condition

3.2. Ensure all required monitoring is carried out as required by permit(s)

3.3. Withdraw permit and shut down work site in the event of an alarm or monitoring failure

3.4. Raise the alarm in the event of an incident

3.5. Implement rescue/incident response plan as required by procedures.

4. Complete safety observer role.

4.1. Hand over to oncoming safety observer before leaving role

4.2. Complete all required documentation and reports

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills:

This competency includes the following skills:

observation

decision making

communication

leadership

Required knowledge:

Competence in this unit includes the following knowledge:

hazards associated with the job and the plant

hazard analysis and control

HSE legislative requirements related to plant

incident response procedures

permit principles and procedures.

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.

Overview of assessment

Assessment of this unit should demonstrate competence on actual plant and equipment in a work environment. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency. Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

Simulation may be required to allow for assessment of parts of this unit. Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include walk throughs of the relevant competency components. Simulations may also include the use of case studies/scenarios and role plays.

This unit of competency requires a significant body of knowledge which will be assessed through questioning and the use of what if scenarios both on the plant (during demonstration of normal operations and walk throughs of abnormal operations) and off the plant.

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

Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to specify the requirements and then select the best solution to meet the necessary and desirable requirements.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment will require access to a plant or workplace over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs will be required as will a bank of questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.

Method of assessment

In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with other relevant units.

Guidance information for assessment

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

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 if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Codes of practice/ standards

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.

Context

This competency covers any work permits which requires a safety observer. Permits are called clearances by some organisations. Typical types of permit requiring a safety observer include:

excavation

hot work

confined space

other relevant permits.

Requirements identified on the permit may include testing of atmospheric conditions, ventilation and control measures such as isolation, barriers, tag out/lockout signs, communications, incident response.

A 'competent person' is a person who has, through a combination of training, education or experience, acquired knowledge and skills enabling that person to correctly perform a specified task.

Safety structures and controls may include automatic plant shut down buttons, cords/lanyards, alarms, barriers, guards, earth leakage devices, tag out/lock out procedures, warning lights.

Incident response

The required incident response may include:

first response to fire

some initial rescues

first aid/CPR

other responses

These responses are not included in this units of competency but are the subject of their own unit of competency.

Health, safety and environment (HSE)

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

Unit Sector

MSAPMPER200C

Work in accordance with an issued permit

This unit contains employability skills.