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Title / Perform gas tests for an energy and chemical plant
Level / 4 / Credits / 5
Purpose / This unit standard is for people working as boiler operators and energy and chemical process operators in an energy or chemical plant.
People credited with this unit standard are able to: demonstrate knowledge of gas testing and related hazards in the energy and chemical industry; perform gas tests, and interpret and respond to gas test results,in an energy and chemical plant.
Classification / Energy and Chemical Plant > Safety and Legislation for Energy and Chemical Plant
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1Assessment conditions
All assessment must be carried out at an energy or chemical site.
2Definitions
Energy and chemical plant may be in – petrochemical, agri-nutrient, power generation, dairy processing, meat processing, and wood fibre manufacturing, or other plants that operate with a combination of high temperatures, pressures, steam and/or chemicals in gas, liquid or solid form.
Organisational requirements – documented policies and procedures. These may include: equipment manufacturers’ procedures, plant procedures, suppliers’ instructions, site signage, codes of practice, company health and safety plans, on site briefings, and supervisor’s instructions. This includes all regulatory and legislative obligations that apply to the plant.
Plant –the operational unit, equipment and /or workplace at which the person is working.
3Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to – Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, Resource Management Act 1991.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome1
Demonstrate knowledge of gas testing and related hazards in the energy and chemical industry.
Evidence requirements
1.1Reasons for gas testing are explained in terms of atmospheric hazards.
Rangeatmospheric hazards include but are not limited to – toxic, flammable, oxygen level, inert gas.
1.2Reasons for a safe working atmosphere are described in terms of organisational requirements.
Rangereasons include but are not limited to – oxygen levels, hazardous gases.
1.3Terminology used in the industry is explained in terms of gas testing.
Rangeterminology includes but is not limited to – vapour density, flash point, workplace exposure standards.
1.4Site specific hazardous gases are identified and described in terms of their sources and effects.
1.5Site specific gas detection equipment is identified and explained in terms of the fundamental principles of operation.
Rangeequipment includes but is not limited to – tube, chip management system, electrochemical sensor, catalytic sensor, infrared sensor.
1.6Testing is explained in terms of limitations on the accuracy of gas detectors.
Rangetesting includes but is not limited to – oxygen-rich atmosphere, oxygen-reduced atmosphere, liquid, calibration, bump testing, fit for purpose, atmospheric temperature, sample temperature, sample pressure, cross-sensitivity, contaminants.
1.7The units of measurement used by site-specific gas detectors are described in terms of unit name and the meaning of the units.
1.8Alarm set points are identified for site specific gas detectors.
Outcome 2
Perform gas tests in an energy and chemical plant.
Rangeevidence is required of a minimum of three gas tests.
Evidence requirements
2.1Testing equipment is matched to gas type in accordance with organisational requirements.
2.2Gas detector pre-start checks are carried out in accordance with organisational requirements.
2.3Gas test is carried out in accordance with organisational requirements.
2.4Tested environment is monitored and retested in accordance with organisational requirements.
Outcome 3
Interpret and respond to gas test results in an energy and chemical plant.
Evidence requirements
3.1Test results are interpreted in accordance with organisational requirements.
3.2Actions to be taken where atmosphere does not comply with organisational requirements are carried out in accordance with those requirements.
Rangeevidence may be in a real or simulated situation.
3.3Results are documented and reported in accordance with organisational requirements.
Planned review date / 31 December 2019Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 8 November 1995 / 31 December 2014
Revision / 2 / 15 December 1998 / 31 December 2014
Review / 3 / 29 May 2000 / 31 December 2014
Revision / 4 / 24 July 2002 / 31 December 2014
Review / 5 / 27 June 2005 / 31 December 2014
Rollover and Revision / 6 / 25 July 2006 / 31 December 2014
Review / 7 / 22 May 2009 / 31 December 2016
Review / 8 / 24 October 2014 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0079
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR 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 Primary Industry Training Organisation if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Primary Industry Training OrganisationSSB Code 101558 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018