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 this Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Assessment will occur using industrial equipment and will be undertaken in a work like environment

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

Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to distinguish between situations requiring the major types of permit and to list the major requirements of each type of permit. The emphasis should be on the ability to stay out of trouble rather than on recovery from a disaster.

It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the knowledge and skills defined in this unit. These may include the ability to:

provide reasons for a permit system

recognise the importance of different work permits

comply with permit conditions including the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

take appropriate action to resolve faults or report faults to appropriate personnel

explain and implement incident response procedures.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:

communications are timely and effective

deviations from permit conditions are recognised, reported, corrected and re-authorisation arranged

action specified in the permit/standard procedures is carried out

all safety procedures are followed.

Assessment method and context

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 may include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge.

Competence in this unit may be assessed:

on an operating plant over an extended period

by using a suitable simulation based on the actual plant and including walk throughs of the relevant competency components and/or a range of case studies/scenarios and role plays

by questioning and using 'what if' scenarios both on the plant (during demonstration of normal operations and walk throughs of abnormal operations) and off the plant

through a combination of these techniques.

These aspects may be best assessed using a range of simulations/scenarios/case studies and 'what ifs' as the stimulus with a walk through forming part of the response. These assessment activities should include a range of problems, including new or unusual situations which may have been generated from the past incident history of the plant, incidents on similar plants around the world, hazard analysis activities and similar sources.

In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practical/simulation or similar assessment. Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions.

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

Specific resources for assessment

This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement for this unit of competency. Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions will also be required to the extent that they form part of the assessment method. Questioning may take place either in the workplace, or in an adjacent, quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom. No other special resources are required.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

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

Knowledge and understanding of permit requirements sufficient to distinguish between situations requiring permits and then implementing the appropriate corrective action where required.

Knowledge of the organisation standard procedures and work instructions and relevant regulatory requirements, along with the ability to implement them within appropriate time constraints and in a manner relevant to the job.

Competence includes the ability toapply and/or explain:

an awareness of hazards associated with the permit

Australian Standard AS2865 - Safe working in a confined space and relevant legislation

identification of container and goods coding and HAZCHEM markings

production workflow sequences and requirements for working in confined spaces

focus of operation of work systems and equipment

application of relevant agreements, codes of practice and other legislative requirements

hazards of the materials and process and appropriate hazard control procedures

identification and correct use of equipment, processes and procedures

planning own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements; as is relevant to the practical completion of the job.

Demonstration of competence in this unit should include knowledge of the following as appropriate to the process:

blank/blind lists and P&IDs

tagging procedures

isolation procedures

incident response procedures, including evacuation

gas types, toxicity and explosivity and limits of each

oxygen levels

area knowledge including plant and processes

permit types and limitations

product tolerances and specifications

static electricity and cathodic protection

environmental hazards

hot work protective measures

columns

vessels

fire fighting equipment

blinds/blanks

pumps

compressors

prime movers

valves.

An understanding of alarm and communication systems is required.

The regulatory framework to include:

OHS

EPA

OHS authorities and NOHSC

licence and certification requirements

company policy and permit control systems.

Language, literacy and numeracy requirements

This unit requires the ability to:

read and correctly interpret complex P&IDs

speak clearly and unambiguously in English

explain, describe and verify sometimes complex needs and issues.

Writing is required to the level of completing workplace forms and producing reports.

Numeracy is required to the level of being able to correctly differentiate between high and low pressures and temperatures, voltages or masses.

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

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

Context

The application of this unit is defined by the level and area of responsibility.

Legislative and site specific safety procedures and/or requirements, including in hazard identification, assessment and application of control measures, must be met.

Compliance is required with:

legislation/codes:

OHS

EPA

OHS authorities and NOHSC

licence and certification requirements

other relevant standards

workplace specific permit control system.

Monitor means continual personnel presence to observe conditions of the workplace and work practices to ensure compliance with permit conditions. This may include:

supervision/monitoring of contractors

verification of permits, licences, tests

document control

compliance with legislation/codes.

Corrective action may include:

ceasing job

leaving the job site safe if it is safe and practical to do so

report reason for ceasing job and request new permit when safe.

Indicative functions include:

supervision/monitoring of contractors

verification of permits, licences, tests

document control

compliance with legislation/codes.

This unit may be applied to either an individual or team related context within the workplace.

Procedures

All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.

Procedures cover all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards. These may include:

legislation/codes

OHS legislation, codes of practice and guidance material

EPA

National and Australian standards

licence and certification requirements

internal permit control system.

process isolations complete

mechanical and electrical isolations in place

atmospheric testing complete and atmosphere safe. If it is not safe and cannot be made safe, then appropriate measures are implemented as per SOPs

relevant personnel informed of work and agree that it is safe and appropriate to proceed.

Tools and equipment

This competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:

danger tags and lockouts

out of service tags

blinds/blanks

blind/blank list

gas testers and monitors

lights

ladders

cathodic protection bonds

barricades

signage

communications equipment

process and equipment drawings.

The types of work permits may include:

evacuation

clearance

hot work

vehicle entry

confined space

minor repairs

working at heights

other special permits.

Safety equipment may include:

eye protection (eg goggles)

ear protection

gloves

clothing

respirators and masks

helmets.

Hazards

Typical hazards include:

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.

Problems

'Respond to routine problems' means 'apply known solutions to a limited range of predictable problems'. Typical process and product problems may include:

provision of the wrong permit

incorrect information being supplied with the permit

errors being made in the understanding of permit data

failure to correctly correspond to the requirements of the permit

failure to seek clarification when anomalies occur.

Variables

Key variables to be monitored include:

sites under which permit activities must be applied

type of permit to be executed

types of tools and equipment to be employed

size of work team

scope and urgency of work

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.