Unit of competency Outline
Information current as of
20/10/2026 6:15 PM AWST
20/10/2026 6:15 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Identify confined space
Identify confined space
Unit of competency
National Code
PUADEFOH012B
PUADEFOH012B
State Code
C1166
C1166
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
14/04/2010
Original Release Date
09/02/2011
Nominal Hours
20
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Description
This unit covers the competency required to identify actual or potential confined spaces prior to entering a confined space for work purposes.The unit includes recognising actual and potential confined spaces in one's work environment and understanding the broad limitations they impose on work practices.It also covers identifying potential occupational health and safety (OH&S) concerns and seeking further advice and/or applying appropriate/relevant procedures when dealing with OH&S issues.
General notes
N/A
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Recognise a confined space
- 1.1 Personal protective equipment (PPE) required to identify a confined space is donned
- 1.2 Nature of the possible work space and its characteristics are reviewed
- 1.3 Possible work space is assessed for its potential to be a confined space
- 1.4 Precautions to be taken in the presence of a harmful atmosphere are determined in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements
- 1.5 Other hazards and factors associated with the possible work space are identified and assessed to determine the level of risk associated with that space
- 1.6 Where uncertainty exists about the possible work space's confined space potential, identification is referred to appropriate personnel/authority for further investigation and analysis in accordance with organisational procedures
- 1.7 Safety of possible work space is confirmed
2. Carry out appropriate action after identifying a confined space
- 2.1 Organisational instructions are reviewed for the appropriate action in relation to work activities involving confined spaces
- 2.2 Potential occupational health and safety (OH&S) issues are identified and documented
- 2.3 Risk assessment is undertaken, documented and revised whenever there is evidence to indicate that it is no longer valid
- 2.4 Broad limitations the confined space may impose on work practices are documented
RANGE STATEMENT
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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Confined spaces may include
Any compartment or area with limited opening for access either no escape route or very restricted means of escape, and with limited natural ventilation or an atmosphere containing more than 23.5% or less than 19.5% oxygen, and the capability of accumulating a toxic, flammable or explosive atmosphere, or of being flooded
Examples of confined spaces may include:
fuel tanks (diesoline, gasoline, kerosene, AVCAT) or any other liquid or gaseous fuel
water tanks (feed, fresh, ballast), void spaces, cofferdams, double bottoms/wing compartments, sewage
treatment tanks, combined holding tanks (CHT)
oil tanks (sludge oil, lubricating, hydraulic), cable lockers (anchor cable stowage)
open-topped spaces such as pits or degreasers, pipes, sewers, shafts, ducts and similar structures
boiler drums, steam turbine casing, main condensers, gas turbine rotor casing, piston engine enclosed
crankcase, main circulating water inlet and discharge pipes, pressure vessels
Personal protective equipment may include
Breathing apparatus
Gloves
Helmet
Protective clothing
Protective footwear
Nature of the possible work space and its characteristics may include
Biological hazards (viruses and bacteria, insects, snakes and vermin)
Characteristics of the environment/atmosphere and its potential impact on equipment or the health of a worker operating in that space
Electrical hazards
Environmental hazards
Noise
Presence of hazardous substances, flammable contaminants
Presence of materials which may result in engulfment, mechanical hazards (augers, agitators, conveyors)
Ignition hazards (sources of heat, static or friction, non intrinsically safe plant, welding and cutting, electronic equipment, activities such as grinding chipping and sandblasting)
Presence of unsafe oxygen levels
Radiation
Size of entry space, availability of exit route, size of space
Structure of the confined space and the limitations such a structure imposes on work practices
Assessing a possible work space for its potential to be a confined space may include
Continuous effective communication
Emergency response procedures
Hazards involved and associated risks involved with the actual method selected and equipment proposed to be used
Nature and inherent hazards of the confined space
Range of methods by which the work can be done
Work required to be undertaken including the need to enter the confined space
Provision of standby person/s where indicated by risk assessment
Revising risk assessments whenever there is evidence to indicate that they are no longer valid
Training and competence of the persons to undertake the work
Precautions to be taken in the presence of a harmful atmosphere may include
Appropriate signage warning of the dangers and special precautions to be taken when operating in that environment
Climbing equipment or ladders
Lifelines
Obstructions that limit access to or from areas within the confined space
Requirements for special breathing apparatus
Restrictions on activities that may be undertaken without specific action such as exhausting volatile gases before welding
Special clothing
Special equipment/clothing to counter slippery surfaces, protect exposed skin, hearing or sparks
Time limit on exposure necessitating rotation of personnel through confined space in order to complete the task that initiated the entry requirement
Other hazards and factors may include
Contaminants encountered such as in the manufacturing process, stored substances and their by-products and/or biological hazards such as bacteria, viruses, fungi
Excessive noise or other radiation levels when equipment is operated in the confined space environment or from adjacent activities
Falls, trips and slips
Inability to observe safe distance from some operating equipments
Inadequate lighting
Inappropriate manual handling
Restrictions on entry and egress which could also severely limit contingency planning
Restrictions on gas or electrical welding, use of pneumatic equipment
Restrictions on operating equipment in the confined space due to physical restrictions to the normal operation/manoeuvre of the equipment
Appropriate personnel/authority may include
OH&S representative
Supervisor
Confirming the safety of a possible work space includes confirming that the work space is either
Confirmed as not safe for work or
Confirmed as an actual confined space or
Confirmed as a potential confined space and monitored for any change in its status
Organisational instructions may include
Australian or international standards
Exposure standards
Job safety analysis (JSA)
Legislation, including state/territory/commonwealth
OH&S Acts, regulations, codes of practice and guidance material relating to hazards present in the workplace and industry, and associated with entry to confined spaces including legislation specific to confined space work
Manufacturers' specifications
Organisational policies and procedures
Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Task analysis
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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Confined spaces may include
Any compartment or area with limited opening for access either no escape route or very restricted means of escape, and with limited natural ventilation or an atmosphere containing more than 23.5% or less than 19.5% oxygen, and the capability of accumulating a toxic, flammable or explosive atmosphere, or of being flooded
Examples of confined spaces may include:
fuel tanks (diesoline, gasoline, kerosene, AVCAT) or any other liquid or gaseous fuel
water tanks (feed, fresh, ballast), void spaces, cofferdams, double bottoms/wing compartments, sewage
treatment tanks, combined holding tanks (CHT)
oil tanks (sludge oil, lubricating, hydraulic), cable lockers (anchor cable stowage)
open-topped spaces such as pits or degreasers, pipes, sewers, shafts, ducts and similar structures
boiler drums, steam turbine casing, main condensers, gas turbine rotor casing, piston engine enclosed
crankcase, main circulating water inlet and discharge pipes, pressure vessels
Personal protective equipment may include
Breathing apparatus
Gloves
Helmet
Protective clothing
Protective footwear
Nature of the possible work space and its characteristics may include
Biological hazards (viruses and bacteria, insects, snakes and vermin)
Characteristics of the environment/atmosphere and its potential impact on equipment or the health of a worker operating in that space
Electrical hazards
Environmental hazards
Noise
Presence of hazardous substances, flammable contaminants
Presence of materials which may result in engulfment, mechanical hazards (augers, agitators, conveyors)
Ignition hazards (sources of heat, static or friction, non intrinsically safe plant, welding and cutting, electronic equipment, activities such as grinding chipping and sandblasting)
Presence of unsafe oxygen levels
Radiation
Size of entry space, availability of exit route, size of space
Structure of the confined space and the limitations such a structure imposes on work practices
Assessing a possible work space for its potential to be a confined space may include
Continuous effective communication
Emergency response procedures
Hazards involved and associated risks involved with the actual method selected and equipment proposed to be used
Nature and inherent hazards of the confined space
Range of methods by which the work can be done
Work required to be undertaken including the need to enter the confined space
Provision of standby person/s where indicated by risk assessment
Revising risk assessments whenever there is evidence to indicate that they are no longer valid
Training and competence of the persons to undertake the work
Precautions to be taken in the presence of a harmful atmosphere may include
Appropriate signage warning of the dangers and special precautions to be taken when operating in that environment
Climbing equipment or ladders
Lifelines
Obstructions that limit access to or from areas within the confined space
Requirements for special breathing apparatus
Restrictions on activities that may be undertaken without specific action such as exhausting volatile gases before welding
Special clothing
Special equipment/clothing to counter slippery surfaces, protect exposed skin, hearing or sparks
Time limit on exposure necessitating rotation of personnel through confined space in order to complete the task that initiated the entry requirement
Other hazards and factors may include
Contaminants encountered such as in the manufacturing process, stored substances and their by-products and/or biological hazards such as bacteria, viruses, fungi
Excessive noise or other radiation levels when equipment is operated in the confined space environment or from adjacent activities
Falls, trips and slips
Inability to observe safe distance from some operating equipments
Inadequate lighting
Inappropriate manual handling
Restrictions on entry and egress which could also severely limit contingency planning
Restrictions on gas or electrical welding, use of pneumatic equipment
Restrictions on operating equipment in the confined space due to physical restrictions to the normal operation/manoeuvre of the equipment
Appropriate personnel/authority may include
OH&S representative
Supervisor
Confirming the safety of a possible work space includes confirming that the work space is either
Confirmed as not safe for work or
Confirmed as an actual confined space or
Confirmed as a potential confined space and monitored for any change in its status
Organisational instructions may include
Australian or international standards
Exposure standards
Job safety analysis (JSA)
Legislation, including state/territory/commonwealth
OH&S Acts, regulations, codes of practice and guidance material relating to hazards present in the workplace and industry, and associated with entry to confined spaces including legislation specific to confined space work
Manufacturers' specifications
Organisational policies and procedures
Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Task analysis
EVIDENCE GUIDE
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to observe and respond to changing circumstances and unusual situations in the workplace; to review relevant workplace documentation; to conduct a quality assurance check against previous recommendations; and to identify changes in workplace configurations.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated identifying a range of confined spaces that could be expected in the workplace.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access to relevant legislation, codes of practice, guidance material, policies/procedures and relevant equipment (including PPE required to identify a confined space).
Guidance information for assessment
Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to observe and respond to changing circumstances and unusual situations in the workplace; to review relevant workplace documentation; to conduct a quality assurance check against previous recommendations; and to identify changes in workplace configurations.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated identifying a range of confined spaces that could be expected in the workplace.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access to relevant legislation, codes of practice, guidance material, policies/procedures and relevant equipment (including PPE required to identify a confined space).
Guidance information for assessment
Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.
No information