This unit of competency describes a set of essential safety procedures and knowledge areas for individuals who need to test the atmosphere for gases using electronic gas-detection equipment.

This unit applies to situations where an individual is required to carry out gas testing of an atmosphere prior to entering a specific area or workspace. It involves:

• Conducting atmospheric testing using approved electronic gas detection equipment.
• Interpreting gas concentration readings to assess the safety of the environment.
• Taking appropriate action based on the interpretation of results to ensure a safe working environment.

This competency is critical for ensuring personal and team safety in environments where hazardous gases may be present, including confined spaces, industrial sites, emergency response scenarios, and other potentially dangerous locations.

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.

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

Duration: 4 hours