Why Businesses Need Confined Space Training
Working in a confined space is dangerous and must be managed, with employees trained on the risks. Hazards go beyond restricted movement to include access, atmosphere, visibility and contaminants. Training on a confined space safety course is both a legal requirement and something that can save lives. Confined spaces take many forms, including tankers, silos, trenches, engine rooms, sewer systems and crawl spaces.
Who Is Confined Space Training For?
Training is required not only for workers who enter a confined space, but also for those who:
- Undertake hazard or risk assessment
- Implement risk control measures
- Issue entry permits
- Act as standby or communicate with workers in a confined space
- Monitor conditions while work is carried out
- Purchase equipment for working in a confined space
- Design or lay out work areas that include confined spaces
In QLD, 92% of confined space accidents were due to inadequate or no training (Fire and Safety Australia, 2019).
What Defines a Confined Space?
According to the government, a confined space is one that:
- Is not designed or intended primarily to be occupied by a person
- Is, or is intended to be, at normal atmospheric pressure while a person is in it
- Has a limited means of entry and exit
- Is or is likely to be a risk because of its atmosphere, contaminants, engulfment or an unsafe level of oxygen
The specific WHS legislation laid out in 2011 can be found here.
What does “Confined Spaces Training” Teach You?
The course gives students the skills and knowledge to work safely in confined spaces. It covers, but is not limited to:
- Applicable legislation and company confined space procedures
- Definitions and types of confined spaces
- Hazard identification and risk management procedures
- Hazardous atmospheres, including gas monitoring techniques
- Isolation, purging and ventilation
- Roles and responsibilities of the team, including standby
- Rescue equipment and procedures
- Industry case studies
It teaches students to identify a confined space and its risks so appropriate action can be taken.
Benefits of Confined Space Training to Businesses and Employers
Your workers will be competent in:
- Identifying risks and hazards
- Handling an emergency
- Business compliance
- Encouraging leadership
- Peace of mind
The main reason is to save lives, but training is also a legal requirement. It is sometimes seen as an unnecessary expense, yet the cost of an accident or fatality to your business is far higher.
Our courses are delivered in custom facilities across QLD, Tasmania and SA. To find out how these courses can help your business, call (07) 5491 2144.
