Application
This unit of competency is required by persons who are required to enter a confined space, as defined by the Australian Standard AS 2865-2009 Confined spaces, or its authorised update or replacement.
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required for safe entry to confined spaces under a work permit and for maintaining safety while working in the confined space. The term ‘work permit’ (or ‘permit’) includes all written authorities as defined by AS 2865-2009 Confined spaces. It applies to persons required to enter confined spaces for any purpose, including maintenance, cleaning, inspection or other reasons.
Work in/entry to confined spaces shall conform to relevant legislation and AS 2865-2009 Confined spaces, or its authorised update or replacement.
AS 2865-2009 Confined spaces defines a confined space as:
'An enclosed or partially enclosed space that is not intended or designed primarily for human occupancy, within which there is a risk of one or more of the following:
(a) An oxygen concentration outside the safe oxygen range.
(b) A concentration of airborne contaminant that may cause impairment, loss of consciousness or asphyxiation.
(c) A concentration of flammable airborne contaminant that may cause injury from fire or explosion.
(d) Engulfment in a stored free-flowing solid or a rising level of liquid that may cause suffocation or drowning.'
Entry to a confined space is defined by AS 2865-2009 Confined spaces as: 'when a person's head or upper body is within the boundary of the confined space’.
NOTE: Inserting an arm for the purpose of atmospheric testing is not considered as entry to a confined space.'
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element | ||
1 | Assess confined space for entry | 1.1 | Confirm the purpose of the required entry |
1.2 | Check the documented risk assessment associated with the entry to the confined space | ||
1.3 | Identify and assess hazards within/around the confined space | ||
1.4 | Identify hazard controls and check they are functional and appropriate. | ||
1.5 | Check the incident/emergency response plan is appropriate to the job | ||
1.6 | Rehearse own role in an incident/emergency response | ||
1.7 | Confirm and verify that the conditions of the permit reflect the risk assessment | ||
1.8 | Ensure the confined space is ready for entry | ||
2 | Use safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) | 2.1 | Secure the worksite |
2.2 | Select, fit and wear designated PPE | ||
2.3 | Select, test and use required instruments and monitors | ||
2.4 | Challenge test atmosphere/atmospheric monitoring instrument if required before entry | ||
2.5 | Confirm test/monitoring results show entry is safe |
3 | Work in accordance with confined space requirements | 3.1 | Enter confined space safely |
3.2 | Work in compliance with permit requirements | ||
3.3 | Arrange re-authorisation/reissue of permits as required | ||
3.4 | Complete confined space working documentation | ||
3.5 | Maintain communications with all relevant personnel | ||
3.6 | Monitor atmosphere within the confined space as required by the permit | ||
3.7 | Monitor environment around the confined space for relevant changes | ||
3.8 | Take appropriate action if there is a change in risk/work environment |
4 | Conclude confined space operations in accordance with procedures | 4.1 | Recover, clean, service and store equipment |
4.2 | Complete required final documentation | ||
4.3 | Report any issues |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and demonstrate the ability to:
identify hazards and apply relevant hazard controls
undertake all checks and preparation in accordance with permit conditions and site procedures
check that hazard controls are in place and operational
confirm the permit conditions reflect risk assessment and confined space is ready for entry
enter the confined space and carry out actions specified in the permit/standard procedures, including all safety procedures
monitor the conditions of work under the permit
interpret and respond to gas test/monitoring results
initiate incident/emergency response plan
select, use and maintain equipment, including:
instruments and monitors
personal protective equipment (PPE)
use communication equipment and processes applicable to confined space work
communicate effectively with team/work group and other personnel in the language of the workplace
complete required workplace forms.
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:
organisation procedures, including:
work permit systems
safety, emergency and hazard controls
incident response
hazards that may arise in relation to the confined space, including:
their possible causes
potential consequences
appropriate risk controls
communication protocols relevant to confined space requirements
tests relevant to confined space entry and the interpretation of test results, including at least one (1) of:
atmospheric/oxygen/breathability
flammability/explosivity
toxicity
temperature
humidity.
Assessment Conditions
Competency must be achieved before performing this work unsupervised. Therefore this unit will typically be assessed off the job. Where assessment is undertaken on the job appropriate supervision and safety precautions must be provided.
It is appropriate to train and assess the prerequisite unit MSMPER200 Work in accordance with an issued permit concurrently. It may also be appropriate to cluster other related units and deliver and assess concurrently.
The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence shall be based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.
The collection of performance evidence will require a ‘practical assessment’ which:
requires entry, compliant with Section 3.4.29 of AS 2865-2009 Confined spaces, into two (2) different confined spaces which are reasonable facsimiles of an industrial confined space
requires the conduct of a simple task (‘work’), while within each confined space
requires the entry to be under a confined space entry permit, the permitting system and the permit itself to be reasonable facsimiles of industrial permits and systems
requires the person to undertake all checks and complete all documentation that is required for the confined space entry.
The confined space used should be a reasonable facsimile of an industrial confined space. The use of breathing apparatus and black out goggles is not required for this unit.
Assessment must sufficiently reflect realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence (provided a record is kept) or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.
Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.
As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 assessor requirements.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | |
Regulatory framework | The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used, and include one or more of the following: legislative requirements, including work health and safety (WHS) industry codes of practice and guidelines environmental regulations and guidelines Australian and other standards licence and certification requirements AS 2865-2009 Confined spaces All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory 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. |
Procedures | All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures. Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, and include one or more of the following: permit to work system emergency procedures work instructions standard operating procedures (SOPs) safe work method statements (SWMS) temporary instructions any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant |
Confined space permit | The confined space permit must meet the requirements of AS 2865-2009 Confined spaces, its authorised replacement or other appropriate standard. Conditions of the permit include: hazard controls PPE instruments and monitors to be used re-authorisation/reissue requirements other specifications for the work |
Ready for entry | Checking the confined space is ready for entry includes checking: isolations are complete and appropriate isolation complies with regulations, standards and procedures atmosphere is safe (or if necessary relevant measures are in place to ensure safe entry into an unsafe atmosphere) safe entry and exit methods are in place other items to ensure compliance with procedures, permits, relevant legislation and AS 2865-2009 Confined spaces. Where the confined space is not ready for entry appropriate steps must be taken, including reporting deficiencies and/or refusing to enter the space. |
Secure worksite | Securing the worksite includes selecting and erecting/deploying one or more of the following: signs barriers other requirements as defined in the confined space entry permit requirements, AS 2865-2009 Confined spaces and other relevant requirements |
Tools and equipment | Tools and equipment include one or more of the following: instruments and monitors: instruments used for pre-entry testing appropriate to the hazards continuous monitors appropriate for the hazards other devices used to test the confined space atmosphere PPE, such as: eye protection ear protection gloves clothing respiratory protection helmets safety footwear lifelines and harnesses personal monitors and alarms other relevant PPE communication equipment voice/visual contact lifeline communication radio communication other relevant communication aids |
Re-authorisation/reissue of permits | Requirements for re-authorisation/reissue of permits are required by one or more of the following situations: there is any change to work scope or method the work situation/workplace conditions changes there are deviations from permit conditions there is a gap in work continuity other site rules require it |
Working documentation | Working documentation includes one or more of the following: entry/exit/re-entry logs other documentation required by AS 2865-2009 Confined spaces (e.g. Section 2.9) other documentation required by the permit other documentation required by the site |
Appropriate action if there is a change in risk | Where there is a change in risk/work environment appropriate action includes one or more of the following: seeking revalidation of the permit evacuating the confined space instigating/undertaking testing raising the alarm initiating the emergency/incident response plan other relevant action defined in permit conditions or site procedures |
Final documentation | Final documentation includes one or more of the following: signing-off of permit documentation related to equipment used other required records |
Reporting of issues | Reporting of issues includes: feedback about the work and methods of improving the work process signs and symptoms of operational stress equipment malfunctions wear and tear of equipment and tools condition of safety/rescue equipment observations about the condition of the confined space other issues that might arise |
Hazards | Hazards include one or more of the following: heat, smoke, dust or other atmospheric hazards sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions limited head spaces or overhangs equipment or product mass slippery surfaces, spills or leaks noise, rotational equipment or vibration high/low oxygen content hazardous atmospheres (e.g. combustible and toxic) entrapment engulfment heat stress claustrophobia external hazards that may impact on the safety of those working in the confined space (e.g. exhaust fume or other hazardous vapours being drawn into the confined space by ventilation fans) other hazards as identified in AS 2865-2009 Confined spaces electricity gases and liquids under pressure structural hazards/collapse equipment failures industrial (machinery, equipment and product) equipment or product mass working where there is a reasonable risk of a fall flammability and explosivity unauthorised personnel extreme weather other hazards that might arise |
Sectors
Competency Field
Work control systems