Description

Pre/Co-Requisites

Pre-requisite units:

• PUAFIR207B Operate breathing apparatus

Co-requisite units:

• PUATEA001B Work in a team

Performance Criteria

1. Prepare and plan for monitoring

1.1. Equipment is selected, calibrated and used to take atmospheric readings in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and the organisation’s requirements

2. Take precautions to safeguard health

2.1. Safety information and procedures are accessed and applied throughout the work
2.2. Appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment is selected and used
2.3. Recommendations on actions to be taken are made based on atmospheric readings

3. Take atmospheric readings

3.1. Readings of contaminants are interpreted, recorded and analysed and/or compared with specifications and exposure limits
3.2. Results are communicated in accordance with organisation’s procedures

4. Maintain equipment

4.1. Monitoring equipment inspections and fault finding are carried out in accordance with manufacturers instructions
4.2. Records of tests and results are maintained in accordance with the organisation’s procedures

Key Competencies

Communicating ideas and information

• Communicate ideas and information to reporting procedures (verbal and written) 

Collecting analysing and organising information

• Collect, organise and understand information related to recognising and reporting situations

 Planning and organising activities 

• Plan and organise activities which implement and follow standard procedures 

Working with others and in teams

• Work with others and in a team by assisting and cooperating with team members 

Using mathematical ideas and techniques 

• Use mathematical ideas and techniques to document and report numbers for emergency procedures

Solving problems 

• Establish diagnostic processes which recommend improvements for OH&S issues

Using technology 

• Use workplace technology related to the use of technology to assist with safe work practices

Range Statement

Working environment may be

• hazardous, unpredictable, subject to time pressure, chaotic and expose responders to risk, on land or water, by day or night

Safety information and procedures must include

• relevant legislation, Australian Standards, codes of practice, manufacturer’s instructions and organisational procedures

Procedures may include

• safe working permit entry plan
• entry testing procedures
• appropriate rescue and first aid plans
• risk management
• measurement
• computer plume modelling

Response situations must include

• confined spaces
• enclosed and partially enclosed spaces

and may also include

• storage tanks, silos, pits, pipes, shafts, ducts, transport vehicles and ships
• obstructed entry/exit points
• low visibility or lack of illumination
• unsound or insecure structures
• single and multi agency response

Equipment must include

• breathing apparatus, chemical protective clothing and equipment, portable instruments, radiation detectors, sampling tubes and pumps, oxygen level meter, carbon monoxide detector and combustible gas detectors

Workplace atmospheres may

• include visible and invisible hazards
• include hazardous surfaces
• range from safe to unsafe

Incidents may include

• all fire, Hazmat or rescue incidents

Evidence Guide

Critical Aspects of Evidence

It is essential for this unit that competence be demonstrated in:

• applying personal safety principles
• interpreting atmospheric conditions using atmospheric monitoring equipment
• recommending appropriate action
• maintaining monitoring equipment

Underpinning Knowledge

• use and limitations of protective clothing and equipment risk assessment
• applicable exemptions for emergency services
• purging agents
• common chemical asphyxiants including: hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and hydrogen sulphide
• common irritants and corrosives including: chlorine, ammonia and acid bases
• common flammable gases including: acetylene, petroleum, methane, ethane, propane and butane
• narcotics
• (explosive range, upper and lower explosive limits)
• exposure standards (time weighted average, short term exposure limits, peak limitation values, examination of toxic effect at the level of a range of flammable gases
• conditions under which atmospheres become hazardous
• organisational procedures for entering hazardous atmospheres
• toxic effects on humans exposed to commonly encountered
• combustion gases
• units of measurement used to express concentration of atmospheric contaminants (mg/cubic m. ppm, % v/v)

Underpinning Skills

• Don, operate in, decontaminate and remove personal protective clothing and equipment
• Analyse and communicate results of sampling

Resource implications

• For the demonstration of competence in this unit it will be necessary to provide a real life environment and/or simulations based on possible incidents. This should be done with access to a range of personal protective clothing and equipment, range of detection equipment as well as suitable simulation and/or sites.
• Underpinning knowledge may be assessed through written assignments, and observation at simulated incidents

Consistency in performance

• Evidence should be gathered over a range of variables, all using different types of monitoring equipment

Context of assessment

• A demonstration activity using workplaces/atmospheres with detectable but safe levels of contaminants should be used