Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the Performance Criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Codes of practice/ standards
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.
Context
This competency covers the issue of any and all work permits. Permits are called clearances by some organisations. The types of permit include:
cold work
excavation
vehicle entry
minor repairs
working at heights
hot work
confined space
electrical
increased hazard
other relevant permits.
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 response.
A 'competent person' is a person who has, through a combination of training, education or experience, acquired knowledge 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.
The work permit system
The work permit system includes:
types of permits
legislative/regulatory/standards framework
roles and responsiobilityes of parties under the permit system
equipment which can and cannot be used for types of permit
alternative ways of conducting a job
Confined space
The Australian Standard definition given for confined space entry is used in this Training Package, viz: AS2865:
an enclosed or partially enclosed space which:
a. is at atmospheric pressure during occupancy
b. is not intended or designed primarily as a place of work
c. may have restricted means for entry and exit, and
d. may:
(i) have an atmosphere which contains potentially harmful levels of contaminant
(ii) not have a safe oxygen level
(iii) 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).
Procedures
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 AASCC
Australian Standards
licence requirements
company policy and permit control systems
other relevant standards.
Preparation
Preparation of work site includes:
mechanical, electrical and other energy souces, and process isolations
de-energising all sources of energy/pressure
purging of lines
lock out/tag out procedures
blinding/blanking lines.
Tools and equipment
This competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:
writing instruments
computers and printers
calculators
testing equipment.
Hazards
Typical hazards include:
unsafe conditions developing through failure to conform with the provisions of the permit
injuries to personnel
equipment failures
releases of toxic or noxious substances.
Returns to work status
Returns to work status may include:
de-isolation
removal of lockouts/tag outs
removal of drain covers
etc.
Problems
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.
Variables
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.
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.

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 the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Assessment of this unit should demonstrate competence on actual plant and equipment in a work 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 permits and to list the major requirements of each type of permit.
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/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.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
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. A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
by use of a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios. Simulations should be based on the actual plant and will include walk throughs of the relevant competency components
through questioning and the use of "what if" scenarios both on the plant and off the plant.
by a combination of these techniques.
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.
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 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.
Method of assessment
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.
Guidance information for assessment
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.