Confined Space High-Risk Training

• Legislation and regulations
The legal framework for confined space work, including the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997, duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the requirements of ACoP L101.

• Definition and specified risks
How a confined space is defined under the Regulations, the five specified risks and how to determine whether a space meets the legal definition before entry.

• Duties under the Regulations
What the Regulations require of employers and employees, including the primary duty to avoid entry where reasonably practicable and the steps that must be taken when entry cannot be avoided.

• Risk assessment and hazard identification
How to identify hazards associated with a confined space before entry begins, assess the level of risk and select appropriate control measures, including atmospheric testing and isolation procedures.

• Duties under the Regulations
What the Regulations require of employers and employees, including the primary duty to avoid entry where reasonably practicable and the steps required when entry cannot be avoided.

• Risk assessment and hazard identification
How to identify and assess hazards specific to high-risk confined spaces, select appropriate control measures and document findings before work begins.

• Atmospheric hazards and gases
How hazardous atmospheres develop in high-risk environments, including oxygen deficiency and enrichment, toxic gases and flammable vapours, and why conditions can deteriorate rapidly during entry.

• Gas detection
The principles behind atmospheric monitoring, how to operate gas detectors correctly and how to interpret readings to make safe decisions about entry and continued work.

• Safe systems of work and permits to work
How to implement a safe system of work derived from the risk assessment, when a permit to work is required and how it is managed, issued and cancelled.

• Roles and responsibilities
The duties of everyone involved in a high-risk confined space operation, including entrants, the top man and supervisors, and how responsibilities change as conditions develop.

• Communication procedures
How to maintain reliable communication between entrants and the entry controller, and what steps to take when communication is lost or conditions change.

• Fall protection and entry equipment
How to inspect and use tripods, winches and fall protection equipment for safe entry into and exit from high-risk confined spaces.

• Breathing apparatus
How to inspect and use emergency escape breathing apparatus and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), including donning procedures, function checks and safe use under working conditions.

• Emergency procedures
How to recognise a deteriorating situation, initiate emergency arrangements, support rescue operations and hand over to a rescue team safely.

• Assessment
Observed practical exercises and a short-answer question paper, evaluated by the course instructor over the numerous days

Combines classroom theory with practical exercises in a confined space environment. Delegates apply hazard identification, safe system implementation, breathing apparatus use and emergency procedures through scenario-based exercises assessed by the course instructor.

Operatives, technicians and site workers who enter and work in high-risk confined spaces where specified risks are present during the work and cannot be fully controlled without the use of self-contained breathing apparatus.

Delegates should have experience working in confined spaces and should have completed medium-risk confined space training prior to attending.