Application

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to undertake the safety observer role for permits requiring a safety observer. This role may also be called a hole watcher or a fire watcher.
Safety observers can stop permit work, but do not have the authority to restart it.
This unit of competency applies to a member of the work team or an operator who performs this role.
Where the person is safety observer for confined space permit they should also be competent in confined space entry.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

What You'll Learn

Assessment Requirements

Performance Evidence

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:
• read and interpret the safety and hazard control requirements of permit conditions
• prepare a rescue/incident response plan in accordance with procedures
• ensure workable rescue/incident response plan is in place and aligns with procedures and permit conditions
• ensure first response equipment is available and in working condition
• observe safety and hazard aspects of work activities under the permit and monitor conformance to permit conditions
• communicate effectively with team/work group and other personnel to:
• explain and implement safety and incident response procedures
• explain the requirements of the permit
• withdraw or cause work to cease outside permit conditions
• control entry to and exit from the job site
• handover to oncoming safety observer
• speak clearly and unambiguously in the language of the worksite
• complete workplace forms and reports.

Knowledge Evidence

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:
• organisation procedures, including:
• work permit systems
• safety, emergency and hazard control
• incident response
• relevant organisation procedures
• hazards that may arise in the job and plant, including:
• their possible causes
• potential consequences
• appropriate risk controls
• types of permits, what they cover and associated hazards
• scope and limitations of own role and responsibilities.

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.
• 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 typical permits and situations
• 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.

Foundation Skills

• {'skill': 'Foundation Skills', 'description': 'This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.\nFoundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.'}

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