Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:18 PM AWST

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Classify areas where flammable gas or vapour hazards may arise

Classify areas where flammable gas or vapour hazards may arise

Unit of competency
National Code
UEEHA0018
State Code
OEE66
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
24/10/2022
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
10/02/2023
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
10/02/2023
Nominal Hours
54
Description
This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to classify areas where flammable gas or vapour hazards may arise. It includes: applying area classification recommendations from relevant codes and standards to meet objectives; gathering and analysing data relative to potential explosion hazards, including characteristics of the hazardous materials; identifying and characterising sources of release; assessing dispersion and ventilation factors; considering plant process and environmental conditions; and determining the extent of a potential release and documenting findings.Area classification should be carried out by those who understand the relevance and significance of properties of flammable materials (gas & vapours), and those who are familiar with the process and the equipment (refer AS/NZS60079.10.2).It applies to personnel involved in the front-end engineering and design (FEED) scopes for facilities that may contain flammable gas or vapour hazards, as well as those persons involved in the ongoing operations, maintaining and/or modification of these same facilities, during the facility life cycle. It is appropriate for people who need to meet their responsibilities as required by AS/NZS3000:2018.Site-specific work permits may be required to work in a classified hazardous area. In addition, other permits may be required, such as confined space and to operate specific pieces of equipment such as elevated work platforms in various jurisdictions. The classification process assists in the implementation of these safe systems of work.Additional and/or other conditions may apply in some jurisdictions subject to regulations related to electrical work. Practice in the workplace and during training is also subject to work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations.This unit of competency and associated assessment requirements have been adopted from clause 2.15 of AS/NZS 4761.1:2018 Competencies for working with electrical equipment for hazardous areas (EEHA). There may be differences between the content of this unit and AS/NZS 4761.1:2018, so the Standard must be checked to ensure compliance with it. Clause 2.15 of AS/NZS 4761.1:2018 includes the following precondition for assessment:"A candidate seeking assessment in this unit shall have been deemed competent to gather and analyse technical data in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline at AQF 7 or NZQF level 7(BD) or equivalent."
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Determine the type and extent of explosion hazard
  • 1.1 Knowledge of the safety principles and objectives of area classification and methods applied to examining the extent to which an explosive hazard may arise
  • 1.2 Extensive knowledge of gas and vapour characteristics are applied
  • 1.3 Consideration is given to reducing the extent of explosion hazards by the application of a hierarchy of risk controls
  • 1.4 The likelihood of an explosive atmosphere occurring, in accordance with the definitions of zones, is established from process and plant layout drawings and specifications, and by consultation with process-operating personnel
  • 1.5 The parameters of flammable materials and the processes by which they may arise affecting the type and extent of zones are obtained and listed together with the sources from which they came
  • 1.6 Sources and grades of release of flammable gases or vapours that may occur are established from first principles with reference to process, instrumentation and plant layout drawings and specifications and by consultation with process and engineering design personnel
  • 1.7 Characteristics of release are assessed with the factors affecting those characteristics including gas mixtures
  • 1.8 Consideration is given to eliminating or reducing the likelihood of an explosive atmosphere arising in consultation with process, operating and engineering personnel
  • 1.9 Understanding of ventilation and dispersion aspects and the application of artificial ventilation is applied including estimations/calculations of the ventilation rates to reduce an explosive gas atmosphere in consultation with process and engineering design personnel
2 Establish the area classifications
  • 2.1 Acceptable methods for establishing the type and extent zones are applied
  • 2.2 The use of illustrative examples in establishing the type and extent of zones is validated in accordance with the standards and any limitations are documented
  • 2.3 The types and extent of zones are established from the data collected in the analysis of the area and in consultation with process and engineering specialist personnel
3 Document classification process and delineation of zones
  • 3.1 The classification process taken, relevant material properties and justification for the classifications given is documented in accordance with provisions of standards
  • 3.2 Sources of release and zones are shown on plant drawing in accordance with provisions of standards
  • 3.3 All classification documents are filed for future reference and forwarded to the appropriate personnel for inclusion in the verification dossier
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