NZQA unit standard / 12501 version 5
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Title / Control and manage emergency incidents in a gas distribution network
Level / 6 / Credits / 12
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: demonstrate knowledge of procedures to control and manage emergency incidents; control and manage gas emergencies; and restore the system to a controlled state under emergency conditions.
Classification / Gas Industry > Gas Network Operations
Available grade / Achieved

Guidance Information

1This unit standard is intended for, but is not limited to, workplace assessment. The range statements relate to enterprise specific equipment, procedures, and processes.

2The current version of the following documents must be complied with:

Gas Act 1992;

Health and Safety at Work Act 2015;

Resource Management Act 1991;

Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations 2010;

ISO 9000;

Company procedures.

3Any new, amended or replacement Acts, regulations, standards, codes of practice, guidelines, or authority requirements or conditions affecting this unit standard will take precedence for assessment purposes, pending review of this unit standard.

4References

International Standards Organisation (ISO) standards may be found at

5Definition

Company procedures means the documented methods for performing work activities and include health and safety, environmental, and quality management requirements. They may refer to manuals, codes of practice, or policy statements.

Outcomes and performance criteria

Outcome 1

Demonstrate knowledge of procedures to control and manage emergency incidents.

Performance criteria

1.1Methods for determining incidents which constitute emergencies are located and interpreted in accordance with company procedures.

1.2Methods for identifying location of emergency incidents are explained in accordance with company procedures.

1.3Means of minimising risk to people and property are identified in accordance with company procedures.

1.4Steps leading to the controlled state of the emergency incident are explained in accordance with company procedures.

1.5Fault identification methods are explained in accordance with company procedures.

1.6Means of preventing and isolating ignition sources are determined in accordance with company safety procedures.

1.7Potential faults impeding return to a controlled state are identified in accordance with company procedures.

1.8Reporting and recording methods are identified in accordance with company procedures and requirements.

1.9Methods of accessing information are used in accordance with emergency incident requirements.

Rangereference documents, regulations, codes of practice, company emergency procedures.

Outcome 2

Control and manage gas emergencies.

Performance criteria

2.1Reported faults constituting potential gas emergencies are responded to in accordance with statutory requirements, company procedures, and codes of practice.

Rangeescapes, supply losses, overpressure, under pressure, fires, odorisation faults, load shedding, gas quality variations.

2.2Emergency information is reported in accordance with company procedures.

2.3Emergency area is located and arrival at the scene is reported to emergency control in accordance with company procedures.

2.4Actions which minimise the risk to people and property and resolve the emergency are planned and implemented in accordance with company procedures.

Rangefire, explosions, asphyxiation, structural, flooding, security.

2.5Location and nature of the fault are identified in accordance with company procedures.

Rangebuildings, underground, regulator stations, pipelines.

2.6Actions required to restore the system to a controlled state are planned and agreed with those involved in accordance with company procedures.

Rangeisolation, ventilation, evacuation.

2.7Information required to resolve the emergency is communicated to those involved in accordance with company procedures.

Rangeemergency control, emergency services, other utilities, statutory bodies, civil defence.

2.8Recording systems are used in accordance with company procedures.

Rangerecording and reporting systems, informal, formal, telecommunications, written.

Outcome 3

Restore the system to a controlled state under emergency conditions.

Performance criteria

3.1Potential sources of ignition are identified and made safe in accordance with company procedures.

Rangeelectrical, flame, internal combustion engines, sparks, heat.

3.2Actions to return the system to a controlled state are carried out in accordance with statutory regulations and approved codes of practice and company emergency procedures.

Rangepermanent repairs, temporary repairs, pressure control, system isolation, purging.

3.3Actions taken and results achieved are recorded in accordance with approved codes of practice and company procedures.

3.4Actions taken where the system cannot be returned to a controlled state with the resources available are recorded and reported in accordance with company procedures.

Planned review date / 31 December 2019

Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions

Process / Version / Date / Last Date for Assessment
Registration / 1 / 25 September 1997 / N/A
Revision / 2 / 3 August 2000 / N/A
Revision / 3 / 10 October 2002 / N/A
Rollover and Revision / 4 / 20 November 2006 / N/A
Revision and Rollover / 5 / 17 August 2017 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0014

This CMR can be accessed at

Comments on this unit standard

Please contact MITO New Zealand Incorporated you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

MITO New Zealand Incorporated
SSB Code 101542 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018