Confined Space Training

Confined Space Training is required for workers who may work in or on a enclosed or partially enclosed space such as storage tanks, pressure vessels, pipes, boilers and sewers.

A person conducting a business or undertaking must, under part 3.1 (Managing risks to health and safety), manage risks to health and safety associated with a confined space at a workplace.

This includes the risks associated with entering, working in, on or in the vicinity of the confined space. Including a risk of a person inadvertently entering the confined space.

This is one of the courses from our suite of health and safety courses we have on offer being delivered by one of our safety consultants. Training is a key element of the businesses safety management system.

What Is Confined Space Training – Course Overview

Confined Spaces Training is required even though most companies do not intend their worker to enter these places.

There still remains the need to understand the specific legislative requirements for working ‘on or in the vicinity of the confined space‘.

Additionally there is the need to issue a confined space entry permit to enter to complete work on what would be their plant, equipment or facilities.

This confined space training course provides participant’s with the skills and knowledge required to manage the process to safely enter and work in confined spaces.

Confined space training is appropriate for those working in operational roles undertaking minor works in confined spaces.

This course is also used by companies as a confined space refresher for those who have already completed the RIIWHS training, in particular,

• RIIWHS202E – Enter and work in confined spaces (this course supersedes RIIWHS202D)
• MSMPER205 – Confined space entry
• MSMPER200 – Work in accordance with a confined space entry permit
• MSMPER202 – Observe permit work

This training can also be structured as initial training or refresher for confined space rescue and serve as a verification of competency (VOC) assessed by the Safety Consultant to maintain the confined space ticket.

The confined space entry permit is also covered in the refresher. This training is especially helpful to Health and Safety Representatives to better understand the legislation so that they can assist Management to develop strategies to protect workers.

What Is The Definition Of A Confined Space?

According to the Safe Work Australia Code of Practice, a “confined space” means an enclosed or partially enclosed space that:

• is not designed or intended primarily to be occupied by a person; and

• is, or is designed or intended to be, at normal atmospheric pressure while any person is in the space; and

• is or is likely to be a risk to health and safety from:

• an atmosphere that does not have a safe oxygen level, or
• contaminants, including airborne gases, vapours and dusts, that may cause injury from fire or explosion, or
• harmful concentrations of any airborne contaminants, or
• engulfment.

Course Inclusions

The confined space training is conducted by one of our experienced WHS industry practitioner with over 25 years of strong knowledge of the relevant legislation and industry practices.

Practical and theoretical activities to assist participants understand the confined space requirements. Participant notes and access to equipment to plan and execute basic confined space entries.

Each Trainee Must

• Sufficiently ambulant to access work areas simulated to be a confined space.

• Have at least a Year 10 level of numeracy, literacy and communication skills.

• Have the ability to read and write English to be able to read, complete and understand a entry permit.

Work In Accordance With An Issued Permit

The Safety Consultant will discuss the skills and knowledge required to work in accordance with an issued permit.

It aims to ensure that people working under a permit to work understand the system, know the limitations of the permit under which they are working and comply with all the requirements of the permit.

This Confined Space training applies to persons who are required to conduct work activities under the authority of an issued permit to work and within the context and requirements of that permit.

This typically applies to all work done by maintenance staff and contractors and also to any other non-process work performed on the plant.

Confined Space Training Course Outline

• Atmospheric monitoring and gas detection
• Australian Standards and relevant legislation (See SafeWork Australia Model Laws)
• Case studies
• Fall protection equipment
• Identification and control of hazards
• Identifying confined spaces
• Lockout and tag out methods of isolation
• Practical entry into a confined space
• Risk assessments and hierarchy of hazard controls
• Roles and responsibilities of management and workers
• Safety and emergency procedures
• Work according to a confined space permit
• Work site policy and procedures
• Write work plans and risk assessments

This Course Is Recommended For:

• Electrical engineers

• Injury prevention personnel
• Lift operators and installers
• Maintenance personnel
• WHS Officer / OHS officers
• Risk managers
• Safety inspectors
• Safety personnel
• Telecommunications and cable installation personnel
• Transport industry workers
• Workers who will be performing confined space work, but are not required to write a permit, monitor gas levels, wear breathing apparatus.

Who Needs Confined Space Training?

Anyone working in or around an area of the workplace that meets the definition of a confined space, should attend confined space training.

The employer has the duty to ensure that the confined space training is adequate to protect the health and safety of the workers who work in or around the confined space.

Those who actually perform the Hazard Assessment, create the Confined Space Entry program, enter or attend a Confined Space, or supervise and entry will require further confined space training.