Elements and Performance Criteria

Confined space is defined as
Per AS2865 definition:
Confined space - an enclosed or partially enclosed space which 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; or cause engulfment

Confined spaces may include but are not limited to
storage tanks
tank cars
process vessels
boilers
silos
and other tank-like compartments usually having only a man-hole for entry
open topped spaces such as pits or degreasers
pipes
sewers
tunnels
shafts and ducts and similar structures
any 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
natural features such as caves and pits

Rescue equipment may include
life rescue line
ropes/tapes
tripods/edge management
harnesses
litters/stretchers
hauling systems
communications
self-contained breathing apparatus/airline
airline equipment
atmospheric monitoring equipment
escape sets and harnesses
isolation equipment
ventilation equipment

Situational or environmental hazards may include
dangerous goods or hazardous substance
moving machinery either electrical or mechanical
heat exhaustion or hypothermia
oxygen enrichment
oxygen deficiency
atmospheric contaminants (such as hydrogen sulfide
methane and carbon dioxide)
swift water
sewers and stormwater canals
falls from heights or into depths

Personal protective equipment may include
gloves
helmets
safety glasses
hearing protection aids
chemical splash suit/fully encapsulated gas-tight suits
atmospheric monitoring equipment
self-contained breathing apparatus
airlines

Recognised removal techniques may include
lifting
lowering
hauling
mechanical advantage systems

Operational documentation may include
entry permits
tally boards
entry control procedures
air monitoring procedures
equipment and rope logs
plan
exposure records

Personnel may include
agency support
on-site staff
emergency services workers
local / state / territory government authorities

Scene preservation may include
Preservation of evidence and related legal requirements

Evidence collected may include
entry permit
permit to work
information received from bystanders
witnesses and emergency services personnel

Critical Aspects of Evidence
It is essential for this unit that competence be demonstrated in extrication of casualty, minimising further injury to self and others

Interdependent Assessment of Units
Pre-requisite units: PUASAR001A Participate in rescue operations
Co-requisite units: PUAFIR307A Monitor hazardous atmospheres (Fire Specific Requirement)

Underpinning Knowledge
Working knowledge of content of AS2865
AS1715
lock, tagout and isolation procedures
potential occupational hazards and control measures
procedures for atmospheric monitoring
disaster victim identification procedures

Underpinning Skills
operation of atmospheric monitoring equipment
operation of isolation systems
operation of self contained breathing apparatus and airline equipment
operation of ventilation equipment
operation of lifting
lowering and hauling systems

Resource Requirements
Assessment of this competency requires access to an appropriate training location/venue; and organisation's resource equipment and personnel for team based activities
Resource requirements must meet AS2865

Consistency in performance
Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments

Context of assessment
Evidence of competent performance should be obtained by observing an individual in an actual or simulated rescue context