Confined
Spaces

About this course

A confined space is an enclosed or partly enclosed area that is not designed for people to occupy, and that can put your health or safety at risk because of its atmosphere, its design or what is going on inside it. Storage tanks, silos, sewers, pipelines, pressure vessels, boilers, tunnels, pits, shafts, utility vaults and processing equipment are all examples. The hazards are often invisible: low or high oxygen, toxic or flammable gas, engulfment, moving machinery, electrical hazards, and an exit that is hard to reach in a hurry.

The course is designed for workers in mining, construction, oil and gas, utilities, manufacturing and industrial environments. It teaches you how confined spaces are identified, how risks are assessed and controlled, how permits work, how the atmosphere is tested and monitored, how to enter and exit safely, and how emergency procedures are activated. Whether you are entering a confined space for the first time or refreshing existing skills, the aim is the same: know the risks, follow the system, get out safely.

Who it is for

• Mining: underground operations, processing plants, maintenance and infrastructure inspections
• Construction: utility pits, tunnels, service ducts and excavations
• Oil and gas: storage tanks, pressure vessels, processing units and refineries
• Manufacturing: equipment maintenance, vessel cleaning and production shutdowns
• Utilities: water treatment, sewers, electrical vaults and telecommunications infrastructure
• Transport and logistics: tankers, shipping containers and fuel storage
• Contractors, supervisors and standby persons who control entry

What it covers

1. Confined spaces and the rules that apply.Definitions, classifications and regulations.
2. Hazard identification.Atmospheric, physical, mechanical, engulfment, electrical and environmental hazards.
3. Risk assessment.Identifying hazards, judging likelihood and consequence, choosing controls and checking they keep working for the whole job.
4. Permit systems.Confined space entry permits, authorisation, what a permit records (location, hazards, isolations, test results, authorised people, entry and exit times) and how a permit is closed.
5. Atmospheric testing.Oxygen, flammable gases, toxic contaminants and vapours; testing before entry and monitoring during the work; calibrated and inspected equipment.
6. Safety equipment.PPE, gas detectors, communication systems, harness systems and rescue equipment; inspecting it and spotting defective gear.
7. Entry and exit procedures.Risk assessment done, permit approved, isolations verified, atmosphere tested, equipment checked, PPE selected, communications checked, emergency plan in place; then worker accountability, equipment removal, inspection, permit closure and documentation on the way out.
8. Emergency response awareness.Emergency procedures, alarm activation, evacuation, incident reporting and rescue planning principles.
9. Workplace compliance.Meeting legal and workplace safety requirements.
10. Practical assessment.Hands-on confined space entry and safety exercises.

What you will be able to do

• Identify a confined space and the hazards in it
• Complete a risk assessment and apply the control measures, from elimination through isolation and engineering controls to PPE
• Follow safe work procedures and understand permit requirements
• Inspect entry equipment and use communication systems
• Monitor conditions while the work is under way
• Understand the emergency response protocols for the space you are in
• Enter and exit a confined space safely and complete the post-work requirements

The hazards, plainly

Atmospheric. Too little oxygen, too much oxygen, toxic gases, flammable gases, vapours and dust. The common gases are hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide, methane, ammonia and chlorine. You cannot see or reliably smell any of them, which is why atmospheric testing comes before entry and continues during the work.

Physical. Moving machinery, falling objects, slippery surfaces, restricted movement, extreme temperatures and noise.

Engulfment. Liquids, sand, grain, sludge and chemicals that can trap a worker.

Electrical. Exposed wiring, faulty equipment and energised systems.

Standby person and rescue

A standby person outside the space monitors the workers, keeps communication going, records entries and exits, watches the conditions and activates the emergency procedure. The course covers those responsibilities. It also makes one point clearly: rescue from a confined space needs specialised training and equipment. Emergency planning covers rescue equipment on hand, communication systems, first aid arrangements, emergency contacts and site-specific rescue procedures, so that if something goes wrong the response is already worked out.

Frequently
asked questions