Aim

Description

The course is designed for persons who are typically employed in a management, supervisory, engineering, training or auditing capacity and are responsible for confined space related tasks.

It is designed for competent participants to attain a level of knowledge and skill to meet the requirements expressed in the AQTF 2007 Essential Standards for Registration to train and assess others for nationally recognised AQF qualifications and Statements of Attainment in vocational education and training relating to safe entry and work in confined spaces.

The course provides participants with the OH&S and legislative requirements relating to confined space management programs to ensure the health and safety of persons required to work in confined spaces.

The program details strategies from the concept and design phase to contingency planning for failures in safe systems of work.

Duration

Unit/s of Competence

• MSAPMOHS200A Work safely - This competency applies to all operators as they carry out their normal day to day activities in a safe manner in compliance with legislative requirements and their duty of care.
• MSAPMOHS217A Gas test atmospheres – This unit relates to persons who are required to carry out gas testing of an atmosphere prior to entering a specific area or workspace, interpret readings taken and take actions based on the interpretation.
• MSAPMPER200B Work in accordance with an issued permit – This competency aims to ensure that people working under a permit to work understand the system, know the limitations of the permit under which they’re working and comply with all the requirements of the permit.
• MSAPMPER205B Enter confined space - This competency applies to persons who are required to enter confined space, for maintenance purposes, for cleaning or simply inspection. It is required by all persons who are required to enter a confined space, as defined by the standard AS2865. It is expected that all standby persons will also be competent to enter confined space. 
• MSAPMOHS110A Follow emergency response procedures - This competency applies to operators who are required to know the signals when an emergency situation takes place as well as the proper procedures to follow in order to save oneself from possible injury and/or death.
• MSAPMOHS205A Control Minor Incidents - This competency applies to operators who may be called upon to control small incidents in the workplace. Generally the person would be part of a team during an incident response. However, he/she may be required to take independent action. At all times they would be liaising and cooperating with other members of the team.
• MSAPMPER300B Issue work permits (hot work/confined space) - This unit addresses the need for personnel who issue work permits to understand the permit system, know the limitations of each permit and the ability to apply decisions regarding the need for and correct use of each permit. This competency unit is specific to the issue of hot work and confined space work permits, however, sufficient knowledge regarding all work permits is required to ensure the correct permit is issued.
• MSAPMPER201A Monitor and control work permits - This unit covers the monitoring of the operational conditions in which a permit to work has been issued, and the required activities and functions associated the raising of the permit.
• MNMMSU411A Supervise work in confined space – This unit applies to the implementation of a confined space management program, and supervision of personnel entering and working in a confined space.

Accreditation

Course Content

• Application of legislation, standards and codes of practice in a confined space context
• Responsibilities of employers, employees, designers, manufacturers, suppliers and installers as they apply to safe work in confined spaces
• Identifying confined spaces
• Strategies for implementing confined space legislation
• Confined space documentation and record keeping
• Consultation and communication
• Hazard identification and risk assessment
• Control measures and the application of the hierarchy of controls
• Confined space work environment and systems of work
  - Task analysis
  - Development of safe operating procedures
• Effects of atmospheric contaminants
• Physiological effects, characteristics of contaminants, and detection of atmospheric hazards
  -  Oxygen risks
  -  Combustible contaminants
  -  Toxic contaminants
• Engulfment and entrapment
• Considerations for physiological conditions, personal health and wellbeing, phobias and physical fitness
• Working safely with Hazardous Substances
• Isolation and Control of Hazardous Energies
• Occupational Personal Protection
  -  Selection, use, training and maintenance of safety and rescue equipment including breathing apparatus
  -  Plant and equipment record keeping
• Environmental considerations
• Safe Access and Vertical Mobility
• Confined Space Entry and Work Practices
• Height safety, safe access and recovery procedures of persons from depths
• Confined space welfare and the role of standby persons
• Training and assessment strategies to ensure that information delivered is commensurate to the position and responsibility
• Supervision responsibilities for safe working in a confined space
• Emergency Response - Basic Life Support
• Emergency Response - Fire Prevention and Extinguishment

Pre-Requisites

There are no formal pre-requisites under the AQF to this course however participants must ensure they are able to: collect and disseminate information; develop and complete documentations; read and correctly interpret complex risk assessments; speak clearly and unambiguously in English; explain, describe and verify sometimes complex needs and issues; work in and lead a team; be able to participate in practical activities; negotiate with employers and employees; transfer skills to other contexts; and deal with unplanned events.

Persons intending to apply the knowledge and skills attained in this course to train and assess others for nationally recognised AQF qualifications and Statements of Attainment in the vocational education and training sector must meet the requirements of the AQTF as expressed in the AQTF 2007 Essential Standards for Registration.

Assessment

Participants must be able to: identify a confined space; prepare for work in confined spaces; identify hazards and risks and detail safe entry and work requirements; demonstrate sound interpersonal and literacy skills; cite relevant legislation and company policy requirements associated with confined space strategies including emergency response procedures; implement appropriate procedures and techniques for efficient and effective supervision of work in a confined space; supervise work in a confined space; comply with site risk control, health, safety, environmental, quality and communication requirements; provide information about working in confined spaces; superve entry and work in a confined space; plan, establish and rehearse confined space emergency and rescue systems; facilitate the recommissioning of confined spaces.

Both written and practical assessments will be conducted.

Ideal Course Size

Max Supervision Ratio

Compliance with Legislation, Standards and Codes

• Relevant Occupational Health and Safety Acts and Regulations
• AS/NZS ISO 31000-2009 Risk Management
• AS 2865-2009 Confined Spaces
• NOHSC – Core Training Elements for the National Standard for Working in a Confined Space
• Other standards and codes of practice and enterprise specific documentation

Course Material