18037 version 3

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Plan a confined space entry in the electricity supply industry

Level / 4
Credits / 4

PurposePeople credited with this unit standard are,in the electricity supply industry, able to: identify hazards and controls within confined spaces; develop personal emergency procedure plan for a confined space entry; and complete documentation required for confined space entry.

Subfield / Electricity Supply
Domain / Electricity Supply - Core Skills
Status / Registered
Status date / 16 April 2010
Date version published / 16 April 2010
Planned review date / 31 December 2014
Entry information / Open.
Accreditation / Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry.
Standard setting body (SSB) / Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference / 0120

This AMAP can be accessed at

Special notes

1This unit standard is intended for, but not restricted to, workplace assessment.

2Safety of personnel and plant must be a priority throughout the assessment. If the safety requirements are not met the assessment must stop.

3Performance and work practices in relation to the elements and performance criteria must comply with all current legislation, especially the Electricity Act 1992, and any regulations and codes of practice recognised under that statute; the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992; and the Resource Management Act 1991. Electricity supply industry codes of practice and documented industry procedures include the Safety Manual – Electricity Industry (SM-EI)Wellington: Electricity Engineers’ Association. A full list of current legislation and industry codes is available from the Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation, PO Box 1245, Hamilton 3240.

4The phrase in accordance with industry requirements is implicit in all elements and performance criteria in this unit standard.

5Industry requirementsinclude all asset owner requirements; manufacturers’ specifications; and enterprise requirements which cover the documented workplace policies, procedures, specifications, business, and quality management requirements relevant to the workplace in which assessment is carried out.

6Confined spaces is defined as enclosed or partially enclosed space which is at atmospheric pressure during occupancy and is not intended or designed primarily as a place of work. Confined spaces may include but are not limited to spaces that have: restricted means of entry and exit, an atmosphere which contains potentially harmful levels of contaminant, an unsafe oxygen level, and the possibility of engulfment.

Elements and performance criteria

Element 1

Identify hazards and controls within confined spaces in the electricity supply industry.

Performance criteria

1.1Examples of confined spaces are listed.

Rangeexamples of tank-like compartments include but are not limited to – storage tanks, tankers, process vessels, boilers, pressure vessels, silos, dryers;

examples of open top spaces include but are not limited to – pits, pipes, sewers, shafts, ducts;

examples of small hatchway or access pits include but are not limited to – street sewerage access, power trenches, void spaces.

Evidence is required for three examples from each category.

1.2The main hazards of confined spaces are identified.

Rangehazards potentially causing death or severe injury include but are not limited to – oxygen deficiency in the confined space, oxygen excess in the confined space, contaminants on surfaces or in the atmosphere, operation of moving equipment, uncontrolled introduction of steam, water, other gas or liquid, suffocation by solids, electrocution, explosion, fire, chemicals.

1.3Additional factors that may increase the risk of injury from hazards are identified.

Rangefactors include but are not limited to – noise, temperature, radiation within a confined space, manual handling, falls, trips, slips, process activities.

1.4The hierarchy of control measures to eliminate or minimise the risk are identified.

Rangehierarchy includes but is not limited to – elimination, substitution, isolation, engineering controls;

controls include but are not limited to – administrative controls, use of personal protective equipment.

Element 2

Develop personal emergency procedure plan for a confined space entry in the electricity supply industry.

Performance criteria

2.1Plan contains evacuation strategies for work area.

2.2Plan identifies actions that need to be taken when an emergency is first discovered.

Rangeactions include but are not limited to – first aid, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, use of lifting equipment, safety harnesses, breathing apparatus, fire-fighting equipment.

2.3Plan identifies the essential elements of a rescue.

2.4Plan identifies the safety watch duties.

2.5Communication system is described.

Rangesystem includes – person to safety watch, safety watch to other groups.

Element 3

Complete documentation required for confined space entry in the electricity supply industry.

Performance criteria

3.1The required legal documents covering confined space entry are identified.

3.2Documentation is completed.

Rangedocumentation includes but is not limited to – work permit, risk assessment, hazard management processes, isolation and lookout procedures, air quality monitoring.

Please note

Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.

Comments on this unit standard

Please contact the Electricity Supply Industry Training if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018