Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
24/07/2026 7:46 AM AWST

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Plan plant preparation and isolation

Plan plant preparation and isolation

Unit of competency
National Code
PMASUP444
State Code
AXM28
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
02/06/2016
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
05/08/2016
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
05/08/2016
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to plan and prepare for isolation of plant and its return to service. This unit of competency applies after the work scope has been agreed, but before the isolation and preparation commences. Isolation is a process for ensuring no energy or material can enter the isolated area. Typically the isolation will occur so that the plant can be prepared for subsequent work, such as maintenance.This unit of competency applies to senior technicians, operator/maintainers, maintenance planners, authorised permit issuers, and those in similar roles who are required to apply in-depth knowledge of process and plant in order to confirm the work to be done; plan the isolation and de-isolation strategies, preparations and sequencing; obtain authorities; liaise with stakeholders and complete documentation. The technician will have detailed operational and process knowledge but is not required to demonstrate 'hands on' operation of equipment as part of this competency. This competency may form part of their regular work role or could be a full-time role on secondment for a major shutdown.This unit of competency applies to hazardous plant, such as a major hazard facility. However, with appropriate contextualisation it can be applied to the preparation and isolation of lower hazard plants and mobile plant.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Confirm scope of work
  • 1.1 Examine identified work scope (e.g. what, where, who, when, why, duration and frequency)
  • 1.2 Confirm purpose of identified work
  • 1.3 Identify plant and equipment involved
  • 1.4 Negotiate any conflicts/inconsistencies with relevant stakeholders
  • 1.5 Identify possible need for temporary lifting of any isolations
2 Develop isolation philosophy for work
  • 2.1 Apply relevant isolation philosophy/strategy, including type of/hierarchy of isolation and lock out/tag out
  • 2.2 Determine implications of isolation
  • 2.3 Identify physical limits of affected plant and equipment
  • 2.4 Check suitability and effectiveness of existing isolation procedures
  • 2.5 Assess possible boundaries for isolations
  • 2.6 Seek local knowledge for similar isolations and preparations
  • 2.7 Identify available/permissible preparation strategies, including purging fluids and techniques
  • 2.8 Draft strategies for isolation and preparation
  • 2.9 Communicate, as appropriate, with stakeholders
  • 2.10 Negotiate isolation and preparation conflicts
  • 2.11 Prepare isolation philosophy for work
3 Manage hazards
  • 3.1 Identify existing hazards of plant, process and materials
  • 3.2 Identify hazards associated with performing the isolations and preparation
  • 3.3 Identify hazards associated with purging/flushing/venting materials
  • 3.4 Draft strategies for controlling any releases
  • 3.5 Estimate required preparation durations taking into account factors, such as starting conditions, safe rates of change (pressure, temperature), volumes and pressures required
  • 3.6 Make recommendations for improvement in accordance with procedures
  • 3.7 Liaise with technical experts as required
  • 3.8 Specify types of isolations and locations of isolations required
  • 3.9 Specify controls to bring hazards to ‘as low as reasonably practicable’ (ALARP)
4 Plan required isolation and preparation
  • 4.1 Determine required sequencing of all steps
  • 4.2 Develop isolation procedure
  • 4.3 Develop preparation procedure
  • 4.4 Develop decontamination procedures
  • 4.5 Develop required procedures for plant supplementary systems
  • 4.6 Verify procedures against relevant drawings and the plant
  • 4.7 Identify and schedule required pre-work
  • 4.8 Determine competencies required to complete planned isolations and preparation
  • 4.9 Plan required de-isolation and preparation for return to service
  • 4.10 Discuss proposed plans with relevant stakeholders
  • 4.11 Complete required documentation
5 Obtain authority to execute plan
  • 5.1 Obtain approval to implement the isolation and preparation plan
  • 5.2 Obtain approval to implement the de-isolation and preparation for return to service plan
  • 5.3 Acquire hardware and resources for isolation and de-isolation and preparation for work and return to service
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
WC260 PMASUP444A Plan plant preparation and isolation Unit of competency