MPQC Level 3 Award in Supervision of Isolation and Lock Out Activities

VQ Level 3

Summary

Safety Coaching have been carrying out work-based training in isolation and lock-out activities for a number of years.

Recently we have received a number of requests from our client base to develop a vocational qualification which can assess a person’s knowledge and skills against the industry 9 step process for safe isolation of equipment. In addition to this, personnel can be assessed against the application of your own company standards and local procedures for isolation. 

On completion of the qualification successful candidates will be awarded an MP Awards Certificate. This qualification is regulated by Ofqual under qualification reference number 610/2811/3.

Key point for clients

Bearing this in mind, it is essential that a good range of typical equipment is allowed to be stopped and safely isolated during the day of the assessment.

Sufficient time to allow the assessment to be carried out must be made by the site where the candidate is based.

The assessment will not be able to take place if suitable equipment is not made available at the agreed times for the assessment.

Who is it for?
The qualification is intended for anyone who supervises the safe isolation, lock-out and try out of machinery in the workplace.

The person being considered for the qualification could be from a number of different roles from such as managers, supervisors, team leaders, operatives and contractors.

The qualification is not recommended for any personnel with no or limited experience in isolation and lock-off.
Duration
Approximately 4 - 5 hours for simple isolation
Up to 8 hours for complex isolation
Group size
One-to-one
Course delivery
  • Face to face
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How is this course assessed?

This qualification is assessed using two types of evidence collection:

Professional discussion

Our assessor will ask the candidate a series of knowledge-based questions to evaluate their understanding of the process and the risks associated.

Performance evidence

Direct observation of the candidate by the assessor performing all the activities using the 9-step process, asking questions related to what they are doing. This process will involve video/photographic evidence collection.

 

Pathway choice

There are options which can be chosen according to the duties of the person who is being assessed. It is the clients decision on which pathway maybe taken, Safety Coaching will be more than happy to advise on the best pathway for each candidate.

Unit 1 – Simple Isolation – mandatory unit for all persons

This will involve the candidate demonstrating safe isolation of a simple type of isolation (normally up to 4 isolation points). As part of the assessment we review how they carry out the 9 step process and how they comply with your local procedures.

This will normally involve a minimum of observed two isolations, ideally including a range of different hazardous energy sources.

The assessment for a simple isolation candidate should normally take approx. 3 to 4 hours, including evidence gathering and professional discussions.

Unit 2 – Complex isolation – optional unit

This optional unit will involve the candidate demonstrating safe isolation of a more complex isolation of multiple isolation points (normally over 4 isolation points). This will include the record keeping elements of procedure and how they comply with your company requirements.

This will normally involve the observation of a minimum of two complex isolations in addition to the simple isolations observed, ideally including a range of different hazardous energy sources.

This assessment should normally take approx. 6-7 hours, including evidence gathering and professional discussions

Step 1 – Preparing for the task Mandatory

How the candidate prepares themselves and others for the isolation activity.

Examples of knowledge elements covered:

  • What tasks require isolation and lock-out
  • Consequences of failing to follow procedures
  • How breaches of the isolation procedures should be dealt with
  • Different hazardous energies which may be found in machinery

Example of performance elements covered through assessor observations:

  • Thorough review of risk assessments for tasks (making sure it covers all the relevant hazardous energies and control measures)
  • Working to local safe procedures to follow your own internal process, such as procedures or permits to work etc.

Optional elements - complex isolation only

Examples of knowledge elements covered:

  • Range of tasks which may require complex isolation

Example of performance elements covered through assessor observations:

  • Perform a thorough review of documentation for tasks such as RAM’s, procedures, isolation documentation

Step 2 – Notification to all affected individuals Mandatory

How the candidate informs others the task is taking place.

Examples of knowledge elements covered:

  • The importance of communication from the person supervising the isolation and the people receiving the notifications

Example of performance elements covered through assessor observations:

  • Communications with others, such as managers, other supervisors and plant operators
  • Advising others to stay clear of machinery

Optional elements - complex isolation only

Examples of knowledge elements covered:

  • Fundamental differences between simple and complex isolations, in particular:
    • How the supervision of the task differs
    • How communication processes may differ
    • How record keeping may be different

Example of performance elements covered through assessor observations:

  • Perform a thorough review of documentation for tasks such as RAM’s, procedures, isolation documentation

Step 3 – Turning off equipment Mandatory

How the candidate informs others the task is taking place.

Examples of knowledge elements covered:

  • Reasons why obervation in normal running state is important before turning off
  • Actions to take if equipment cannot be observed running before turning off
  • Why equipment should be emptied and shutdown in an orderly sequence

Example of performance elements covered through assessor observations:

  • Running off machinery
  • Requesting turn off
  • Safely shutdown and turn off

Optional elements - complex isolation only

Example of performance elements covered through assessor observations:

  • Safely turn-off, shutdown and de-energise all equipment in accordance with local procedures

Step 4 – Carrying out isolation of hazardous energy sources Mandatory

How the equipment is safely isolated, ideally using a range of hazardous energy sources.

Examples of knowledge elements covered:

  • Reasons why emergency devices must not be used as part of isolation and lock out activities

Example of performance elements covered through assessor observations:

  • How to identify equipment to be isolated
  • Safely isolating required hazardous energy sources

Optional elements - complex isolation only

Example of performance elements covered through assessor observations:

  • Demonstrate how isolation points are identified for complex isolations using local procedures
  • Demonstrate safe isolation of all hazardous energy sources identified

Step 5 – Carry out application of locks and devices Mandatory

How the equipment involved in the safe lock-out are inspected and used

Examples of knowledge elements covered:

  • Purpose of multi-hasps
  • Padlock identification for individuals
  • Importance of personal key control
  • Spare keys
  • How others are supervised applying their locks and controlling keys

Example of performance elements covered through assessor observations:

  • How isolation padlocks, hasps and devices used for isolation are inspected prior to use
  • How multi-hasps and locks are applied to isolation points
  • How personal padlock keys are controlled on their person
  • Checking security of devices, once applied
  • Checking isolators cannot be re-energised

Optional elements - complex isolation only

Example of knowledge elements covered:

  • Errors which may occur during the application of multiple locks for a number of isolation points
  • Explain process of multiple key control
  • Explain the benefits of a second person to check all isolations against the safe working procedure

Example of performance elements covered through assessor observations:

  • Demonstrate how multiple isolation keys are controlled and secured by the supervising person’s padlock

Step 6 – Carry out a zero-energy state review Mandatory

How the candidate evaluates if equipment is energy free, including stored energy. Actions to take if zero energy state cannot be achieved.

Examples of knowledge elements covered:

  • Explanation of meaning of zero energy state
  • How stored/residual energy could remain in machinery
  • Hazards of stored energy and how it should be assessed within risk assessments and local procedures
  • Actions to be taken if zero energy state cannot be achieved
  • Potential control measures to be used

Step 7 –Try out hazardous energy sources Mandatory

How the equipment involved is tried to ensure it will not start during the task

Examples of knowledge elements covered:

  • Purpose of try-out
  • Consequence if try-out is not completed effectively
  • What actions are required if machinery starts
  • How different equipment operating modes (such as automatic mode) may affect the try-out step
  • Two-way communication with others

Example of performance elements covered through assessor observations:

  • Try-out in accordance with local procedures
  • Effective communication with others, with feedback from the other person
  • Confirmation to others that the equipment will not operate

Optional elements - complex isolation only

Example of knowledge elements covered:

  • Errors which may take place during the try out step and how errors can be managed
  • Explain the communication process with others and the importance of two-way feedback
  • How isolation records will be maintained to ensure all isolations are tried out and none are missed

Example of performance elements covered through assessor observations:

  • Demonstrate the try-out process for multiple isolation points
  • Show how isolation records are completed
  • Confirmation to others the task is safe to commence

Step 8 –Know how to perform the task and manage changes Mandatory

Now the task can safely commence the candidate will be asked a series of questions of how the task could change and the actions to take.

Examples of knowledge elements covered:

  • What changes can occur which may affect the safe isolation
  • How to communicate with others regards steps which have been taken to isolate, lock-out and try-out
  • Explaining, in depth, the potential handover process to another person

Optional elements - complex isolation only

Example of knowledge elements covered:

  • Use examples to explain changes that could take place during complex isolation
  • Communication with persons joining the task on steps which have been taken on isolation and try-out for complex isolations
  • Process of complex isolation handover to another person supervising the isolation

Example of performance elements covered through assessor observations:

  • Demonstrate the try-out process for multiple isolation points
  • Show how isolation records are completed
  • Confirmation to others the task is safe to commence

Step 9 –Inspecting equipment and restoring power Mandatory

How the equipment is tried to ensure it will not start during the task

Examples of knowledge elements covered:

  • Purpose of thorough inspection of equipment prior to removing locks
  • Who should be notified prior to lock removal
  • Explanation of local forced lock removal process
  • How the equipment ‘test run’ process works

Example of performance elements covered through assessor observations:

  • Inspection of the task prior to lock removal, including question and answer
  • Notification to others prior to lock removal
  • Advising others to stay clear. whilst equipment is started
  • Demonstrate lock and hasp removal from isolation points
  • How power is safely restored
  • How checks are made that equipment is returned to normal operating condition
  • How task is closed out in accordance with local procedures

Optional elements - complex isolation only

Example of performance elements covered through assessor observations:

  • Notifying others that multiple locks will be removed
  • Demonstrate lock removal from multiple isolation points
  • Demonstrate restoration of power
  • Check all equipment is returned to normal operating condition following complex isolation
  • Demonstrate how task is closed out, including record keeping

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