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. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Isolation
Isolation is a process for ensuring no energy or material can enter the isolated area
Preparation
Preparation is a process for ensuring that plant and equipment is in a safe and appropriate condition for the required work. Preparation may include, but is not limited to:
draining
purging
inerting
decontaminating
cleaning
ventilating
controlling atmosphere (e.g. to ensure it is breathable, and is not within the flammable range)
adjusting temperature to make a workable environment
adjusting pressure (usually to atmospheric)
ensuring adequate access and egress
Scope of work
Scope of work includes, but may not be limited to:
what work is to be done
where the work will be done
who will be doing the work
when the work needs to be done
why the work is to be done
how the work will be undertaken (tools and techniques)
frequency with which this work is/will be required
duration of work (from beginning of shutdown to back to normal operations)
Relevant isolation philosophy/ strategy

Relevant isolation philosophy/strategy will normally be that of the organisation for which the isolations are being done although they could include regulatory or similar requirements and may include, but are not limited to:
types of isolations allowed (e.g. positive, double block and bleed), removal of item (e.g. fuse and spool piece), and single block isolations
lock out/tag out
preparation strategies
types of equipment to be used
purging or other preparation fluids/techniques
Strategy will be consistent with relevant external standards, such as:
Government of Western Australia, Department of Commerce, Guidance note - Isolation of plant, 2010
National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) requirements
Major Hazard Facility (MHF) Licence to Operate
Hazards
Hazards will include:
hazards to people, environment and plant
other hazards as relevant to the organisation/facility
Implications of isolation

Implications of isolation apply to both the area of the work as well as upstream and downstream implications and may include, but are not limited to:
upstream and downstream process implications
ability to prepare plant once isolated
integrity of plant once isolated and prepared
Controlling releases
Controlling releases to the environment may include, but is not limited to:
preventing any release
containing any release
recovery and reuse or disposal of any release
Physical limits of plant
Physical limits of plant may include, but are not limited to:
temperature/pressure limits of plant and equipment
limits on rates of change of temperature/pressure
suitable steam pressures/temperatures
Strategies for isolation and preparation

Strategies for isolation and preparation may include, but are not limited to:
sequence of isolations and preparations
type of isolation, based on hierarchy of isolations
type of preparations to be used
Hierarchy of isolations

Isolations may be categorised according to a hierarchy of:
positive
proven
unproven
Estimating preparation durations
Estimating preparation durations may include, but is not limited to:
determining inventory in plant to be drained/purged
establishing safe rates of change, such as:
pressurisation
depressurisation
draining
flushing
cooling
heating
calculating required volumes and pressures of flushing/purging venting materials
calculating the time required to drain, flush, purge, depressure, pressure, cool and heat
Isolation procedure
Isolation procedure may include, but is not limited to:
isolation processes
isolation list
multiple isolations
temporary lifting of isolations, when and if required
interlocks
and will include consideration of:
isolation alternatives
conflicts of isolation
Verifying procedures
Verifying procedures may include, but is not limited to:
checking existing documents which have been used are accurate, current and complete
checking planned isolation points do exist, are accessible, and are suitable for the isolation planned
having a history of providing the isolation desired
Relevant drawings
Relevant drawings may include, but are not limited to:
piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs)
process flow diagrams (PFDs)
process flow sheets (PFSs)
process engineering flow sheets (PEFs)
Required prework
Required prework may include, but is not limited to:
scaffolding
building up/depletion of inventories/work in progress (WIP)
obtaining of supplies
identification tags
lock out kits
Competencies required
Competencies required for isolation and preparation may include, but are not limited to:
electrical (normal)
electrical high voltage and hazardous area
electrical isolation/deisolation
radiation
heights
mobile plant
plumbing
mechanical fitting
permit preparation
Required documentation
Required documentation may include, but is not limited to:
drawings
procedures
marking up existing documents
punch lists
vendor documents/engineering specifications
documentation required by the site work control system (e.g. permits)
Documents will conform to the site requirements and document control systems
Documents may be:
paper, electronic or other approved form
Authority to execute
Authority to execute includes both the authorisation to proceed and the timing of that execution. Authority will be obtained through the channels required by the organisation/facility.
The level of authority required will vary for different types of work, different types of isolation and different plants/facilities

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
This unit should be assessed as holistically as is practical and will generally be assessed using a workplace project as a significant assessment activity.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to:
develop an appropriate isolation philosophy for the work on a significant item of equipment or plant area
manage relevant hazards
develop an appropriate plan for the required isolations and preparation.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of performance must be undertaken in a workplace.
Access may be required to:
workplace procedures and plans relevant to work area
specifications and documentation relating to planned work
documentation relating to the plant, process and materials
any other materials which would normally be available in the workplace while conducting this activity.
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.