Confined Spaces

Area of competence

This unit is about working in an environment with low risk entry with adequate natural or mechanical ventilation. Access appears simple and unobstructed and there is no likely risk of flooding (for example meter pits, valve chambers; stairwells).

Skills and competencies which demonstrate effective performance

Area of competence

This unit is about working in environments where there is a medium risk that a specified hazard may be present. It will require the use of escape breathing apparatus. It will involve the presence of one or more people – positioned outside the confined space – who have designated responsibilities for controlling the entry and dealing with emergencies (see national occupational standards units for overseeing work in confined spaces or emergency rescue and recovery of casualties from confined spaces).

Entry to the confined space may involve:

• Vertical entry normally using a ladder or man-riding winch, both requiring fall protection and means of assisted rescue such as a rescue winch.
• Horizontal entry such as walking or climbing into the confined space or working away from the bottom of a vertical entry, with limited use of a rescue line. Such types of entry may involve more than one person entering the confined space.

Skills and competencies which demonstrate effective performance

Area of competence

This unit is about working in confined spaces which have non-standard entries and which, in consequence, makes rescue difficult. It is likely that a hazard will be present at some time during the entry. Entry may involve complex entry procedures and there will be work-specific controls and rescue arrangements. It will entail the use of self-contained compressed air (open circuit) breathing apparatus, specialist detection equipment and resuscitation equipment. It will require the presence of personnel who have designated responsibilities for dealing with emergencies (see national occupational standards units for overseeing work in confined spaces or emergency rescue and recovery of casualties from confined spaces).

Skills and competencies which demonstrate effective performance

Area of competence

This unit is about the duties of a safety attendant (top-man/woman) which does not require entries into confined spaces. It is about controlling the pre-entry procedures and entry into and out of the confined space, maintaining communications, and initiating and controlling emergency procedures.

Skills and competencies which demonstrate effective performance

Area of competence

This unit is about being present as a member of a team for rescue and recovery of casualties should emergency arise. It is a dedicated team and may be an in-house team, specialist contractors or the emergency services by prior arrangement. The role is to be available and carry out rescue from within the confined space should an emergency arise. This will also require competence in the unit “Working in High Risk Confined Spaces” (6150-03).

Skills and competencies which demonstrate effective performance

Ain of unit

This aim of this unit is to assess learners against the National Standard in a realistic medium risk environment preparing to work safely; overseeing entry and exit of confined spaces; using equipment and tools safely; following procedures and dealing with emergencies.

There is also a behavioural emphasis on the candidate undertaking the assessment in an efficient and safe manner.

The unit also requires the learner to demonstrate sufficient general and water-specific knowledge through a mix of practical observation and written assessment.

Skills and competencies which demonstrate effective performance