Confined space skill set (one day)

Learn skills for working in and around confined spaces. This course also includes MSMWHS217 Gas test atmospheres.

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A confined space is among the most dangerous environments to work in. This is mainly due to risks associated with reduced access to oxygen but also reduced visibility and limited space for mobility. Examples of confined spaces include drainage pipes, crawl spaces and tanks.

It is critical that employees know how to operate within these spaces with caution and care. Employers are responsible for ensuring that every single employee has sufficient training in this area. Unfortunately, in Australia there have been several recent confined space related fatalities, often due to inadequate worker training.

Our nationally accredited, One Day Confined Space course is designed to educate workers on how to effectively manage the risks associated with working in confined spaces.

This one-day course covers both theory and practical aspects. Successful completion of this course will result in statements of attainment for:

  • RIIWHS202E Enter and work in confined spaces
  • MSMPER200 Work in accordance with an issued permit
  • MSMWHS217 Gas test atmospheres

Hands on learning

We believe that the best way to learn is by doing, not just watching. Theory is important, but ‘death by PowerPoint’ type lectures make for poor learning outcomes. Students need to be active participants in order to retain the information they are being taught.

At Height Safety Engineers, we have invested heavily in ensuring that our training facilities are extremely practical. We have fantastic confined space set ups which include plenty of real life practice scenarios using multiple tunnels and chambers.

All our courses are highly interactive, and our confined space training course is no exception. Our trainers combine engaging theory instruction with work-accurate simulation exercises in our state-of-the-art training centres.

Participant preparing to enter a manhole during confined space training at HSE Melbourne.

About this course

The aim of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how to correctly work in and around confined spaces. Following training; students will be able to identify the hazards associated with working in and around a confined space. Understanding of key legislation, duties of a standby person and understand the various categories of personal confined space entry and rescue equipment including their characteristics and limitations. Working with permits is an integral part of this course. Students will also be required to carry out pre and post user inspections of all equipment.

Duration: 1 day (8 hours)

Student/trainer ratio: 10:1

Course objectives and content

  • Understanding of confined space legislation and standards.
  • Definition of a confined space.
  • How to perform risk assessments and control measures.
  • Confined space permits.
  • Atmospheric monitoring.
  • Confined space entry equipment – tripods, davits, RPD’s, personal winches, retrieval SRL’s, spreader bars and full body harnesses.
  • Demonstrate confined space entry, work positioning and rescue techniques.

Qualifications for successful participants

Statement of attainments in:

RIIWHS202E Enter and work in confined spaces

MSMPER200 Work in accordance with an issued permit

MSMWHS217 Gas test atmospheres

Confined space skill set (one day) FAQs

Most incidents and deaths in confined spaces are due to exposure to gas or poor air quality. Therefore, many employers want workers to have the skills required to carry out gas testing prior to entering a confined space.

At Height Safety Engineers, our nationally accredited, One Day Confined Space course includes the MSMWHS217 gas test atmospheres unit. This allows workers to get trained in all the basics of working safely in confined spaces and also how to use electronic gas testing equipment in the one convenient course.

Many other course providers don’t include the MSMWHS217 gas test atmospheres unit in a comparable confined space course and require the unit to be completed separately or as part of a longer course.

With our course, workers can get trained quickly and efficiently on how to use an electronic gas testing equipment which is an important tool used when working in a confined space.

Additionally, our instructors are among the best in the industry. They bring decades of combined experience in industry to every course they teach. We re-train all our instructors on a regular basis to ensure consistency and that they are continually improving.

According to Safe Work Australia, a confined space is determined by the hazards associated with the specific situation—not just because work is performed in a small space.

A confined space means an enclosed or partially enclosed space that:

  • Is not designed or intended to be occupied by a person.
  • Is at normal atmospheric pressure—or is designed or intended to be at normal atmospheric pressure—while a person is in the space.
  • Is a risk to health and safety from:
    • an atmosphere that doesn’t have a safe oxygen level
    • contaminants like airborne gases, vapours and dusts that may cause injury from fire or explosion.
  • Has harmful concentrations of any airborne contaminants.
  • Is at risk of engulfment.

Confined spaces are commonly found in vats, tanks, pits, pipes, ducts, flues, chimneys, silos, containers, pressure vessels, underground sewers, wet or dry wells, shafts, trenches, tunnels or other similar enclosed or partially enclosed structures, according to model WHS regulations.

A space may become a confined one if work carried out in it could generate harmful concentrations of airborne contaminants.

This course is suitable for anyone who is required to perform any work or task where there is a need to enter and work in a confined space. This includes workers from entry level to senior management.

Some of the most common industries which require workers to complete this course include:

  • Water and sewerage
  • Oil and gas
  • Construction, including electricians, builders and plumbers
  • Mining
  • Transport and storage

Our confined space training course has no designated ‘expiry date’ once a statement of attainment has been received. However, refresher courses are encouraged or sometimes required by individual employers.

Different employers will have different stipulations on how often confined space refresher courses are required. For example, a local council may require employees to complete a refresher course once a year, whereas a construction company may require it every three years.

For workers:

  • Ability to readily identify risks and hazards for working in confined spaces and respond appropriately.
  • Ability to swiftly, and competently, handle emergency situations.
  • Receive skills which are transferable to many other industries and jobs.

For employers:

  • Increase the skill set of your employees, thereby adding value to your business.
  • Peace of mind that you are meeting legal obligations to keep employees safe under workplace health and safety regulations.
  • You’ll save money in the long run by avoiding worse case scenarios.

Additional information about training at HSE

All necessary equipment and learning materials will be provided. Light refreshments will be provided for training completed at our training facilities. Please wear comfortable clothing and enclosed footwear.

A literacy and numeracy quiz will be conducted prior to the start of the course. This assists us in providing adequate course material to all our students. It is recommended that participants have:

  • Numeracy skills to
    • calculate basic sums using addition, substraction, multiplication and division.
    • locate and recognise numbers commonly used in safety signage.
  • Reading skills so
    • identify and interpret information from workplace procedures, documentation and regulations.
    • follow safety instructions that are written in English.
  • Writing skills to
    • produce or complete written documents and forms commonly required in the workplace.
    • maintain records of tests and results.
    • form short sentences and paragraphs in English.
  • Communication skills to
    • use a range of techniques and systems to communicate with others.
    • ask clarifying questions.
    • inform others of hazards and report incidents.
    • communicate required actions.
    • verbally communicate with others in English.
  • Problem solving skills to
    • identify hazards and risks.
    • select and implement risk control measures.
  • Computer skills to
    • follow basic instructions to access specific websites.
    • answer multiple choice questions.
    • save documents.

 

Some courses will have practical components that require participants to physically push, pull, carry or climb. Participants with physical limitations are urged to speak to their trainer prior to completing practical activities to determine if reasonable adjustments can be accommodated. Participants who cannot perform practical components may be issued a certificate of attendance in lieu of the statement of attainment.

Participants must also be eligible to receive nationally recognised training within Australia. They must also provide us with a valid Unique Student Identifier (USI) upon enrolment. If you do not have a USI, one can be created here: CLICK HERE.

Some courses will have prerequisite training that will need to be completed prior to undertaking the selected course. A statement of attainment for the prerequisite course must be presented prior to the start of training. Please refer to the FAQ section, above, for details of any prerequisites your course may have.

Height Safety Engineers does not offer recognition of prior learning and/or credit transfer due to the high-risk nature of our training courses. It is also anticipated that participants will be new entrants or refreshing knowledge and skills in the area of study.

This will depend on the type of visa that you have.

For example restrictions apply to international visitors who hold a Student Visa. Any course undertaken by a Student Visa holder must be conducted by a provider who is registered on CRICOS. As Elbon Consulting Services Pty Ltd is not CRICOS approved we are unable to accept enrolments into any of our courses from any international visitor that holds a Student Visa.

International visitors who hold a Working Holiday Visa may be eligible to enrol into our courses once they arrive in Australia. This is important as some occupations in Australia will have legislative and/or licencing requirements relating to qualifications. International visitors will still be required to provide a valid USI (Unique Student Identifier) prior to enrolling into any Nationally Recognised Training. When registering for your USI number if you select Non-Australian Passport (with Australian Visa) as your form of ID, you will need to enter your Non-Australian passport number when creating your USI. The following details on the passport must match in order to verify in the USI registry system:

  • Family Name
  • Given Name(s)
  • Date of Birth
  • Passport Number
  • Country of Passport

Students from New Zealand will not be able to create a USI using their New Zealand passport until your passport has been registered with the Australian Department of Immigration. This will only happen when the student crosses the border into Australia. Once the passport is registered with the Department of Immigration it can be verified and the student will be able to create a USI using their New Zealand passport.

If you are an International Visitor, you will need to provide a copy of your Visa and/or Passport by emailing training@heightsafety.net. Your Visa details will be verified for eligibility to participate in accredited training within Australia. If you are ineligible, a full refund of fees paid will be provided.

We may be able to provide you with learning support. If you think you may need assistance with reading and/or writing, please contact our office to discuss how we may be able to assist.

Training can be conducted in one of our dedicated state-of-the-art training facilities or be conducted on your site with the use of our mobile training simulators

Ready to book your team into Confined space skill set (one day) training?

Simply click the enquiry button above. If you have any questions, please contact our training team on 1300 884 978. We would be happy to provide you with any more information you might need.