Overview
Confined spaces present some of the highest-risk work environments in Australian industry. This course equips participants with the practical skills, knowledge, and confidence to enter, work in, and monitor confined spaces safely while complying with permit systems and gas testing requirements.
Participants learn how to identify confined space hazards, apply the hierarchy of controls, follow permit-to-work procedures, conduct atmospheric testing, and work effectively as part of a confined space team.
Many serious incidents in confined spaces occur due to:
Poor hazard identification
Failure to follow permit systems
Inadequate atmospheric testing
Lack of team communication
This course focuses on the practical application of safe systems of work to prevent these incidents.
This course is suitable for workers across industries such as:
Mining and resources
Construction and maintenance
Utilities and water services
Oil and gas
Manufacturing and processing
Facilities and asset maintenance
Learning outcomes
The course covers the following:
- Legislative requirements, exposure standards and workplace procedures
- Identify areas that constitute confined spaces
- Access and apply hazard controls
- Ensure correct permits and procedures are in place
- Work in accordance with an issued permit
- Select appropriate tools, equipment and PPE for the task
- Correctly enter and work in a confined space
- Control and observe the permit site
- Prepare and implement rescue/incident response
- Atmosphere testing and monitoring, including preparation and maintenance of equipment
- Common chemical asphyxiates, irritant, corrosives and flammable gases
- Narcotics
- Conditions under which atmospheres become hazardous
- Units of measurement used to express concentration of atmospheric contaminants
- Exiting a confined space and accurately completing the confined space entry permit
- Apply and remove tagging and lockout
Entry Requirements
Participants must:
- Not suffer from claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces)
- Provide photo I.D on entry
- Unless exempt, provide a verifiable USI number
- Be physically fit and healthy with capacity to perform manual tasks
- Be able to read, write, communicate orally, and understand and interpret complex information and situations
- Be able to interact with others and work under pressure
- Dress appropriately i.e., long sleeve, long pants or overalls, safety boots/closed in shoes, safety glasses
Please ensure you read our Student Handbook for further information on our policies, procedures, terms, and program conditions.
SDS is committed to identifying and supporting the language, literacy, numeracy and digital (LLND) needs of all learners. Where required, SDS may conduct an LLND assessment prior to training to determine whether any additional support or reasonable adjustment is needed.
Participants are encouraged to advise the training team at any time if they believe they may require learning support so appropriate arrangements can be made.
Delivery method
This course is delivered over one (1) day, and consists of classroom-based theory learning with practical based activities.
Assessments
Assessment includes written and/or multiple-choice knowledge assessment and practical based skills assessments.
Completion
On successful completion of all assessment requirements participants will receive a Nationally Recognised Statement of Attainment for:
- RIIWHS202E Enter and work in confined spaces
- MSMPER205 Enter confined space
- MSMPER200 Work in accordance with an issued permit
- MSMPER202 Observe permit work
- MSMWHS217 Gas test atmospheres
Skills maintenance
There is no legislated expiry for this unit, industry best practice recommends refresher training every two (2) years to maintain competence and familiarity with current standards and procedures.
