This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to operate and maintain breathing apparatus and equipment in an irrespirable atmosphere, as defined by the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment.

This unit of competency applies to operators who are required to wear breathing apparatus because they are working:

in a confined space

with hazardous gases/vapours

in an oxygen deficient atmosphere

in other situations requiring the wearing of breathing apparatus.

Operators may also be required to wear breathing apparatus in emergency situations, however, this is not the prime focus of this unit.

This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members and the control room operator, as appropriate.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and must include the ability to:

conduct pre-donning tests on breathing apparatus

correctly don and operate breathing apparatus

identify hazards and apply control measures according to procedures

communicate while using breathing apparatus

determine the available working time from a breathing apparatus set

correctly close down, remove and clean breathing apparatus

report faults and/or damage to breathing apparatus.

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:

the effects of irrespirable atmospheres on the body and the need for protective equipment

characteristics, component parts, operation of compressed air breathing apparatus

operational testing, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safe work practices when wearing breathing apparatus

use of procedures, personal lines and tallies

pre-use tests and checks

breathing apparatus control

entrapment procedures

communications while wearing breathing apparatus.

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.

The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.

The collection of performance evidence:

should provide evidence of the ability to perform over the range of situations which might be expected to be encountered, including typical disruptions to normal, smooth work conditions

must include the use of breathing apparatus, appropriate tools, equipment and safety gear requiring demonstration of preparation, operation, completion and responding to problems

may use industry-based simulation particularly where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue.

Off-the-job 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.

Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from one or more of:

walk-throughs

demonstration of skills

industry-based case studies/scenarios

‘what ifs’.

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.

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.

Work health and safety