Elements and Performance Criteria

This competency is restricted to hot work and confined space work permits. A hot work permit is required when using equipment that generates heat, sparks, flames or other potential sources of ignition in an atmosphere that may be flammable.

Requirements identified on the permit may include testing of atmospheric conditions, ventilation and control measures such as isolation, barriers, tag out/lockout signs, communications, incident responses.

The Australian Standard definition given for confined space entry is used in this Training Package, viz: AS2865:

is at atmospheric pressure during occupancy

is not intended or designed primarily as a place of work

may have restricted means for entry and exit, and

may:

have an atmosphere which contains potentially harmful levels of contaminant

not have a safe oxygen level

cause engulfment.

Examples include but may not be limited to:

storage tanks, tank cars, process vessels, boilers, pressure vessels, silos and other tank-like compartments

open-topped spaces such as pits or degreasers

pipes, sewers, shafts, ducts and similar structures

shipboard spaces entered through a small hatchway or access point, cargo tanks, cellular double bottom tanks, duct keels, ballast and oil tanks and void spaces (but not including dry cargo holds).


All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.

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

OHS

EPA

OHS authorities and NOHSC

licence requirements

company policy and permit control systems

other relevant standards.


This competency includes use of equipment and tools such as welders and power tools

Safety equipment may include:

respiratory protective devices - self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)

long distance breathers

lifting and lowering devices, safety belts, harnesses and lines

safety footwear

gloves

coveralls

intrinsically safe torches

hearing protection

eye protection

head protection

portable gas detectors and monitors

intrinsically safe communication equipment

incident response equipment, including rescue, First Aid and fire suppression

spill kits.


Typical hazards include:

unsafe conditions developing through failure to conform with the provisions of the permit

injuries to personnel

equipment failures

explosions

releases of toxic or noxious substances.


Anticipate and solve problems means resolve a wide range of routine and non-routine problems, using product and process knowledge to develop solutions to problems which do not have a known solution/a solution recorded in the procedures.

Typical process and product problems may include:

selection of the wrong permit

incorrect information being supplied with the permit

errors being made in the completion of permit data

failure to correctly correspond to the requirements of the permit

failure to seek clarification when anomalies occur.


Key variables to be monitored include:

types of permits being issued

permit issuing procedures

permit protocols for extended work activities beyond the end of shift

permit hand-over procedures.

Risk assessment is required prior to entry to a confined space, and so prior to the issuing of a permit. The risk assessment checklists may be derived from a standard or code of practice developed by the organisation to meet relevant legislation and standards. The outcomes of the risk assessment should be documented and retained.

By contrast, any area where space is limited is referred to as 'restricted space'

Knowledge of the types of permit are to include:

hot work

confined space/confined space entry

general permits to work

other permits to work relevant to the work area.

Preparation for entry to a confined space will be in accordance with AS2865, or its authorised update or replacement, and local procedures; and may include as appropriate:

draining

blanking/blinding of lines

double block and bleed of lines

removal of spool piece

immobilisation of any moving devices

depressuring

venting/purging (to a safe area)

atmospheric testing and monitoring

other requirements as determined by risk assessment and appropriate to the confined space as required by legislation or AS2865.

Confined space permits should include details of:

location, description and duration of work to be done

hazards that may be encountered

atmospheric test and monitoring requirements and results

authorisation

isolation, lock out, tag out processes

personal protective equipment and clothing

other precautions (eg signs, barricades)

size of work crew

stand-by personnel and emergency response and rescue arrangements

other requirements as determined by risk assessment and in accordance with legislative requirements and relevant Australian Standard, including Appendix H of AS2865.

A 'competent person' is a person who has, through a combination of training, education and experience, acquired and skills enabling that person to correctly perform a specified task.

Safety structures and controls may include:

automatic plant shut down buttons

cords/lanyards

alarms

barriers

guards

earth leakage devices

tag out/lock out procedures

warning lights.

Where the permit is for hot work, and that hot work is welding, then the relevant standards for welding should be consulted and applied. These standards include:

AS1558-1973 Protective Clothing for Welders

AS1674.1-1997 Safety in Welding and Allied Processes, Part 1 Fire Precautions

AS1674.2-1990 Safety in Welding and Allied Processes, Part 2 Electrical

AS3195-1995 Approval and Test Specification-Portable Machines for Electric Arc Welding and Allied Processes

AS3957-1991 Light-Transmitting Screens and Curtains for Welding Operations.

Indicative functions include:

supervision/monitoring of contractors

testing: types of testing include:

atmosphere, including explosivity, toxicity, breathability

temperature

humidity

toxicity

combustibles; oxygen - enriched or reduced.

compliance with legislation/codes, including: OHS; EPA; Worksafe/WorkCover or equivalent State/Territory guidelines; licence requirements

verification of isolations and confirming removal of harmful sources of energies.

Preparation of work site includes:

mechanical, electrical and process isolations

de-energising all sources of energy/pressure

lock out/tag out procedures.


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.

Overview of assessment
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.
Assessment will occur using industrial equipment and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.
Where the assessee does not currently possess evidence of competency in

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 permits and to list the major requirements of each type of permit. A greater emphasis should be placed on knowledge surrounding hot work and confined space permits.
It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the knowledge and skills defined in this unit. These may include the ability to:
correctly identify situations requiring work permits
identify and apply legislative requirements, relevant standards and codes of practice (which may be incorporated in the organisation's procedures) to the issuing of work permits
list the requirements of each type of permit
plan own work process within workplace procedures and explain the reasons for the steps in the process.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:
correct permit issued
hazards are identified and controlled in the permit by applying the hierarchy of control
required personal protective equipment (PPE) is specified
problems are anticipated
problems are efficiently resolved.
These aspects may be best assessed using a range of scenarios/case studies and 'what ifs' as the stimulus with a walk through forming part of the response. These assessment activities should cover 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.

Assessment method and context
Training and assessment for this unit will comply with the requirements of AS2865, or its authorised update or replacement. This Standard requires that trainers and assessors of confined space competencies are themselves knowledgeable and experienced in confined space work and requirements for training according to relevant legislation and standards. The standard also requires that all persons with work related to confined spaces are re-assessed at appropriate intervals to ensure ongoing competency to perform relevant work.
Simulation will be required for assessment of this unit of competency. Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include walk throughs of the relevant competency components. Simulations may also include the use of case studies/scenarios and role plays.
This unit of competency requires a significant body of knowledge which will be assessed through questioning and the use of 'what if' scenarios both on the plant (during demonstration of normal operations and walk throughs of abnormal operations) and off the plant.
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.

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, 'what if' questions and scenarios will also be required, as well as a bank of questions to be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions 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.