This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to maintain equipment associated with hazardous areas. It includes determining required remedial maintenance from inspection reports; carrying out remedial and breakdown maintenance in compliance with regulations and safe working methods, standards and manufacturer’s instructions; and completing the necessary maintenance documentation.

For the purpose of applying this unit, ‘hazardous areas’ are defined as areas in which an explosive atmosphere may be present.

Site-specific work permits may be required to work in the hazardous environment. In addition, other permits may be required, such as confined space and to operate specific pieces of equipment such as elevated work platforms (EWPs) in various jurisdictions.

Additional and/or other conditions may apply in some jurisdictions subject to regulations related to electrical work. Practice in the workplace and during training is also subject to work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations.

This unit of competency and associated assessment requirements is adopted from clause 2.6 of AS/NZS 4761.1:2018 Competencies for working with electrical equipment for hazardous areas (EEHA). There may be differences between the content of this unit and AS/NZS 4761.1:2018, so the Standard must be checked to ensure compliance with it. Clause 2.6 of AS/NZS 4761.1:2018 includes the following precondition for assessment:

• “A candidate seeking assessment in this unit shall have been deemed competent to maintain electrical equipment in a non-hazardous area at AQF level 3 or NZQF level 4.