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.
Relevant compliance documentation
may include:
legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures
manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
Australian standards
code of practice
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
Self-contained regenerative oxygen breathing apparatus may be defined as:
"an apparatus which is worn by the wearer which contains all the functions to allow breathing in a hostile atmosphere without any connection to normal atmospheric conditions, and where the exhaled atmosphere is cleansed of carbon dioxide and the remaining oxygen can be re-used"
Pre-operational equipment tests may include:
visual inspection
exhalation and inhalation valve operation
positive and negative pressure leak tests
pre-flushing
cylinder contents
pressure relief valve
dosage
high pressure leaks
lung demand valve opening pressure
pressure gauge zero test
Irrespirable Atmosphere is considered an atmosphere which is unsafe for a person to breathe as a result of either oxygen depletion or the presence of:
toxic fumes
gases
contaminants
smoke or suspended particles
heated atmospheres
Hazards may include:
fire
explosion
failure to maintain a face seal
exhaustion of oxygen supply
malfunction of equipment
disorientation in smoke/darkness or confinement
structural hazards and/or hazardous materials
entrapment
Communications may include:
distress signals
portable radio
communications equipment
signal lines
hand signals
telephone
mobile phone
Condition of wearer may include:
economic breathing techniques
oxygen capacity and temperature
wearer stress
Emergency Situations may include:
high pressure oxygen leak
collapsed team member
entrapment
low pressure oxygen leak
high pressure leak
evacuation
Entrapment procedures may include:
ceasing all strenuous activity
activating distress signals
relocating to safest available place
calling for assistance

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

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:
knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for operating in self-contained regenerative oxygen breathing apparatus
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for safe, effective and efficient operating in self-contained regenerative oxygen breathing apparatus
working with others while using self-contained regenerative oxygen breathing apparatus that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely operating in self-contained regenerative oxygen breathing apparatus that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.
Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.
Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.
Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in the work environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to site circumstances.
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:
written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes
consistently achieving the required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others while using self-contained regenerative oxygen breathing apparatus
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.