Operate Breathing Apparatus/ Gas Test

  • This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to operate and maintain breathing apparatus and equipment in an irrespirable atmosphere, as defined by the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment.

    This unit of competency applies to operators who are required to wear breathing apparatus because they are working:

    • in a confined space

    • with hazardous gases/vapours

    • in an oxygen deficient atmosphere

    • in other situations requiring the wearing of breathing apparatus.

    Operators may also be required to wear breathing apparatus in emergency situations, however, this is not the prime focus of this unit.

    This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members and the control room operator, as appropriate.

    No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

  • This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to test the working atmosphere, using electronic test apparatus, to find out if it is safe for the proposed work.

    It applies to situations where an individual may be required to carry out gas testing of an atmosphere prior to entering a specific area or workspace. The competency requires the person to interpret readings and take actions based on the interpretation.

    Working environment may be hazardous, unpredictable, subject to time pressure, chaotic and expose responders to risk, on land or water, by day or night. Workplace atmospheres may include visible and invisible hazards and hazardous surfaces.

    The unit is suitable for use in the following situations:

    • confined spaces

    • enclosed and partially enclosed spaces

    • hot work

    • storage tanks, silos, pits, pipes, shafts, ducts, transport vehicles and ships

    • testing as part of issuing a work permit

    • monitoring as part of working under a work permit

    • open areas

    • holding the gas tester by hand

    • lowering the gas tester into a space, e.g. on a line.

    This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members and the control room operator, as appropriate.

  • This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use high pressure water jetting equipment under the supervision of a competent operator. The job may be to clean, prepare, abrade, cut or demolish concrete, steel or other plant, equipment, vessels or infrastructure.

    This work is undertaken using equipment that meets the requirements of a Class B system as defined by AS 4233.1 High pressure water jetting systems – Part 1: Safe operation and maintenance and in compliance with Safe Work Australia Guide for Managing Risks from High Pressure Water Jetting, its state/territory equivalent (where one exists) or the authorised replacement.

    The worksite may be a client’s site or a site belonging to the organisation.

    This unit reflects the skills of an operator working under supervision. For a competent operator who is able to operate autonomously MSMWJ304 Operate a high pressure water jetting system should be used.

  • This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to autonomously operate a high pressure water jetting system to clean, prepare, abrade, cut or demolish concrete, steel or other plant, equipment, vessels or infrastructure.

    This unit applies to operators who use equipment that meets the requirements of a Class B system as defined by AS 4233.1 High pressure water jetting systems – Part 1: Safe operation and maintenance, or its authorised replacement, and in compliance with Safe Work Australia Guide for Managing Risks from High Pressure Water Jetting, its state/territory equivalent (where one exists) or the authorised replacement.

    The worksite may be a client’s site or a site belonging to the organisation.