Working in Low Risk Confined Spaces (6160-01)
City & Guilds, 6160-01 Training Courses in Northern Ireland
National Occupational Standards
Unit 6160-01 Description
Working in Low Risk 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
- Prepare to work safely in low risk confined spaces
- Enter and exit confined spaces safely
- Use equipment and tools safely and in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications
- Follow procedures and work safely
- Deal with emergencies
- Prepare and check all equipment is in good order and electrical equipment is fully charged before entering the work site
- Obtain authorisation for entry and relevant health & safety information where there are designated personnel for supervising work
- Arrange adequate communications for lone-working situations
- Maintain a safety zone in situations where people need to be kept clear
- Carry out real-time risk assessment before starting work
- Set up and put monitoring equipment in place, and confirm it is working before entering the confined space
- Check atmospheric conditions are safe
- Set up and inspect access equipment to make sure it is safe before using it
- Enter and exit the space in line with procedures for working in a low risk confined space
- Resolve any problems of work or team members with the designated personnel
- Check all equipment and tools are suitable for the job before using them
- Check all personal protective equipment (PPE) is suitable before using them
- Use specified method to introduce equipment and tools into the confined space
- Ensure work equipment and tools are recovered from site when work is finished
- Set up and use communication methods which are suitable for the job
- Inform at least one other person in advance of starting work where it involves lone-working
- Control access of people and vehicles around the entry point
- Resolve any problems connected to the work with the designated personnel
- Follow employers safe working procedures and equipment manufacturer’s instructions
- Act immediately to remedy any unsafe activity, equipment and environmental conditions
- Regularly monitor atmospheric conditions within the confined space
- Control risks adequately which arise during working task
- Use PPE specified for the job
- Respond to information from monitoring equipment
- Close down and make safe when work is finished
- Complete all documentation and reports before filing them in the designated place or passing them to designated personnel
- Start emergency exit procedures immediately a dangerous situation arises
- Exit self safely
- Record and report the emergency incident and its circumstances
You work in a manner which:
Is vigilant to possible risks and hazards
Knowledge and understanding
You must know and understand the following:
GENERAL
- An appreciation of the main principles of health and safety and environmental legislation and regulations
- Guidance relating to identifying a confined space and assessing risk for working safely in confined spaces
- Types of spaces that could become confined due to the presence of a hazard
- Hazards which can produce a confined space
- Awareness of how emergency situations can arise in confined spaces
- Manufacturers instructions relating to use of equipment
- Understanding the roles when working as part of a team
- Roles and responsibilities
- Injuries to personnel and the general public
- Dealing with irregularities and abnormal situations
- Types of emergency situations
LOW RISK WORKING ENVIRONMENT
- Classification schemes and how to identify the confined space classification
- Entry procedures for low risk confined spaces
- Carry out real-time assessment of risks and hazards
- Procedures and methods of working suitable to the confined space classification and local conditions
- Reducing the risk to an acceptable level for the work to be carried out
- Understanding and using local site procedures
- Monitoring of conditions and work activity
- Resolving problems speedily and with the designated personnel where other people or organisations are involved
- Precautions to take when working alone
- Communication methods for keeping in contact with other people
- Preparing and checking equipment
- Ensuring equipment and tools are fit-for-purpose and how to use them safely
- Reporting systems for routine and non-routine work activities and resolving problems
- Procedures for dealing with emergencies
- Communications and reporting systems for emergency situations
