Confined Space Training

Confined spaces are areas that are usually not intended for human occupancy, have limited access or exit points and are large enough to actually access (thereby being a place where you can also get trapped). You’ll find confined spaces everywhere;  vats, tanks, pits, pipes, ducts, flues, chimneys, silos, pressure vessels, underground sewers, wet or dry wells, shafts, shipboard spaces, void spaces or other similar enclosed or partially enclosed structures. It is possible that if you are working in confined spaces you may not recognise the space as a confined space and risk missing appropriate precautions, making this training all the more valuable.

Risks commonly found in these spaces include toxic atmospheric hazards and contaminants, flammable atmospheric hazards, engulfment and flooding, heat and lack of oxygen, and access restrictions. The biggest risk is that hazards are either not seen or not visible.

The rules for confined space courses can vary by industry and organisation. It is, however, seen as a key element of training for you if working in medium to high-risk industries and, through your work, may access or work within confined space environments.  

The confined space training is important for working safety because accessing environments that are not meant for human occupancy can present real risks. These risks can involve workers losing consciousness, injury or death from contaminants in the air such as oxygen deficiency, a fire or explosion that kills or seriously injures or crushing or suffocation from something like grain, sand, flour or fertiliser if you fall into it. The risks can also impact others on site as workers may enter a space to help rescue someone and not be aware of the risks.

Australian Standards for working in confined spaces indicate that workers and their supervisors must have the skills and knowledge to understand the hazards associated with working in the confined space, the contents of any confined space entry permit, and the control measures implemented for their protection. Our training helps address this safety standard need. We also include working with an issued work permit because confined space entry permit must be issued each time you enter into a confined space. It is one of the reasons we provide you with this permit training. One confined space entry permit provides a formal check to ensure all elements of a safe system of work are in place before you or others are allowed to enter the confined space.

At Harness, we recommend you undertake this confined space training – in full – every two years. The skills and hazards that surround confined spaces for many industries are such that you may also be required to do this training more frequently. The confined space training allows you to keep working safely in confined spaces.

Refresher training should be provided as appropriate for a particular workplace. The frequency of this nationally recognised training should depend on how often workers are required to carry out tasks that require them to safely enter or work in confined spaces. Records of all training provided to workers in relation to confined space work must be kept for two years.

Australian standards Confined Spaces Code of Practice Feb 2016 indicates:

“Re-training or refresher training should be provided as appropriate for a particular workplace. The frequency of this training should depend on how often workers are required to carry out tasks associated with entering or working in confined spaces. Records of all training provided to workers in relation to confined space work must be kept for 2 years” (See Further Information in the downloads section of this page) 

Yes, as part of your confined space training course, we also ensure you complete your gas testing ticket, which allows you to check an environment’s atmosphere for toxic gases while you work in confined spaces. The Gas Test Atmospheres (MSMWHS217) allows you to enter a confined space with the industry knowledge and skills to use gas testing equipment and perform atmospheric monitoring so that you can recognise normal atmospheric pressure.

The Gas Test Atmospheres training course is included as part of the work in confined spaces training to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to safely test and monitor atmospheric conditions in various work environments. This comprehensive course covers everything from the fundamental principles of gas detection to the practical use of gas detection equipment and breathing apparatus equipment. You will learn how to identify potential hazards, interpret gas readings accurately, and implement appropriate control measures to ensure a safe working environment. 

The Confined spaces Code of Practice is an approved code of practice under section 274 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the WHS Act).  It applies to anyone who is a duty holder in this area. It covers an explanation of areas that must be, are required or is mandatory from a legal perspective. It also includes codes which are recommended. You can read the code HERE: https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/72628/confined-spaces-cop-2021.pdf