Application

This unit of competency is required by persons who are required to enter a confined space, as defined by the Australian StandardAS 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 byAS 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 andAS 2865-2009 Confined spaces, or its authorised update or replacement.
AS 2865-2009 Confined spacesdefines 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 byAS 2865-2009 Confined spacesas: '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.

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:
• 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.

Knowledge Evidence

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 MSMPER200Work 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 , on more than one occasion into 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

• {'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.'}

Prerequisite Units

• MSMPER200

Parent Qualifications

• PMB20121 — Certificate II in Polymer Processing
  PMB

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