This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to supervise work in confined spaces in the Resources and Infrastructure Industries.

This unit is appropriate for those working in supervisory or technical specialist roles.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and Industry sectors. Relevant information must be sourced prior to application of the unit.

Note: The terms Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and Work Health and Safety (WHS) are equivalent and generally either can be used in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the National Model WHS Legislation has not been implemented RTOs are advised to contextualise the unit of competency by referring to the existing State/Territory OHS legislative requirements.

Evidence is required to be collected that demonstrates a candidate’s competency in this unit. Evidence must be relevant to the roles within this sector’s work operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria of this unit and include evidence that the candidate:

locates and applies relevant legislation, documentation, policies and procedures

demonstrates completion of supervising work in confined spaces that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

performing task analysis to carry out risk assessment, and prepare for emergency procedures

preparing a written safe operating procedure and checklist for confined space work activities

preparing required permits prior to work activity

determining working at height requirements and applies procedures for working at heights

sources and allocates required resources for confined space activities

providing clear instruction and coordination of activity throughout working in confined space activity

establishing and applying effective communication techniques to others throughout the work activity

applying atmospheric contaminants measurement procedures

supervising work activities and corrects work activity when required

training others to carry out first response first aid and fire fighting techniques

maintaining written training records

maintaining written record of hazards, risk assessments, outcomes and controls used

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of supervising work in confined spaces through:

applying legislation, standards and code of practice as they apply to confined spaces

defining confined space

performing the process of hazard identification, risk assessment and control

applying workplace strategies for implementing confined space legislation

determining the effects of atmospheric contaminants entering the respiratory system

knowledge of the effects on the human body such as:

oxygen deficiency

toxic contaminants

combustible contaminants

physical hazards such as engulfment and entrapment

physiological conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, phobias and physical fitness

risks to workers handling hazardous substances in confined spaces

risks from electric shock, explosion or fire, temperature changes, noise, and trips, slips and falls

establishing control measures

using methods of systems isolation

preparing written Safe Operating Procedures

examination, testing and maintenance of control measures

implementation of emergency rescue procedures

selection, use, training and maintenance of safety and rescue equipment

using communication and observer systems

maintaining record keeping requirements

An assessor of this unit must satisfy the requirements of the NVR/AQTF or their successors; and Industry regulations for certification and licensing; and,

this unit is best assessed in the context of this sector’s work environment;

where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of this sector’s workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills; and,

this unit must be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures, processes and operational manuals directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,

assessment may be conducted in conjunction with the assessment of other Units of Competency; and,

assessment must confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances; and,

assessors must demonstrate the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence as outlined in this Unit of Competency, and through the minimum years of current* work experience specified below in an Industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or,

where the assessor does not meet experience requirements a co-assessment or partnership arrangement must exist between the qualified assessor and an Industry subject matter expert. The Industry subject matter expert should hold the unit being assessed (or an equivalent unit) and/or demonstrate equivalence of skills and knowledge at the unit level. An Industry technical expert must also demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience specified below in the Industry sector, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed; and,

assessor and Industry subject matter expert requirements differ depending on the Australian Qualifications Framework Level (AQF) of the qualification being assessed and/or Industry Sector as follows:

*Assessors can demonstrate current work experience through employment within Industry in a role relevant to the outcomes of the Unit; or, for external assessors this can be demonstrated through exposure to Industry by conducting frequent site assessments across various locations.

**Where a unit is being delivered outside of a Qualification the first numeric character in the Unit code should be considered to indicate the AQF level

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit. Further information is available in the Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package Companion Volume.