Our Guide to Confined Space Training
If the correct training and precautions aren’t taken, working in confined spaces can be very dangerous. Sadly numerous people are killed or seriously injured each year in the UK, across a wide range of industries. Those killed include people working in the confined space and those who try to rescue them without proper training and equipment. In this article we will discuss what a confined space is, the regulations and training Skills Training Centre can provide.
What is a Confined Space?
In accordance with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the definition of a confined space is;
“a place which is substantially enclosed (though not always entirely), and where serious injury can occur from hazardous substances or conditions within the space or nearby (e.g. lack of oxygen).”
The key characteristics of a confined space are:
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The space must be substantially enclosed.
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There must be a risk of at least one hazard that can occur within the space. For example; harmful gases, flammable/explosive atmosphere, excess or lack of oxygen or high temperatures.
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The risk of serious injury from the hazard must be created by virtue of the enclosed nature of the space.
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The potential injury must be serious and require emergency action.
What are the Confined Space Regulations?
Prior to entering a confined space, a suitable and sufficient assessment must be carried out in order to determine the risks involved and to decide what safety measures are necessary. Under domestic law, in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers are responsible for ensuring the safety of their employees and others. If significant risks become apparent during the assessment, employees are advised to refer to the Confined Spaces Regulations Act 1997 that states that:
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Avoid entry to confined spaces e.g. by doing the work from the outside without entry.
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If entry to a confined space is unavoidable, follow a safe system of work. This must identify the hazards, the risks and the control measures needed to ensure the work can be controlled and undertaken within an acceptable level of risk.
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Put in place adequate emergency arrangements before the work starts. A procedure for a rescue event must be in place, ensuring the protection of the rescuers and, where necessary, including resuscitation equipment.
What Confined Space Training Does Skills Training Centre Provide?
For those required to enter confined spaces, we provide a range of courses that cover; awareness and risk assessments, working in a high and medium risk environment, escape breathing and safe entry and exit.
At Skills Training Centre we deliver confined space training that provides a hands-on experience of real-life scenarios that could occur within a confined space. This allows delegates to fully understand the risks and associated hazards. We can also deliver onsite courses for groups of staff and bespoke training for specific industries and work arrangements .
We don’t believe in delivering courses that just tick boxes, we provide training that allows our attendees to learn new skills, improve existing skills and retain industry based knowledge.
The courses we provide are designed to be relevant and cost effective and are delivered to high standards. Our instructors are professional and experienced in their respective fields and are highly skilled at taking into account the needs of individuals with different skills, abilities and experience.
If you wish to gain further insight into our range of Confined Space training courses and what Skills Training Centre can provide for you, please get in touch.
