A confined space is defined by the Health and Safety Executive as: ‘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’. Around fifteen people are killed in confined spaces in the UK each year. A great number of people are seriously injured entering/exiting or working in confined spaces.  So therefore, employers need to ensure, that the training they provide their workforce keeps them safe from harm.

Confined Space Work is 'safety critical' so this blog may be a little longer, but it sure is worth taking the time to read. I trust it helps you understand the importance of the highest quality training for your employees who are required to work in a 'Confined Space'.

What the law says:

The underpinning legislation including; The Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978 places a legal duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all of his employees. The same legislation places a legal duty on employees to take reasonable care of their own health, safety and welfare. The law specific to Confined Spaces; The Confined Space Regulations (NI) 1999 refers to confined space safety and it places boundaries that employers and employees must stay within to ensure safety from the risks associated with entering, exiting and carrying out activities in confined spaces.  

The law advises us to avoid entering the confined space, and if this is not possible to carry out a risk assessment of the task and to put in place controls to reduce the risk.  The law dictates that the employer must provide initial and refresher training in order to keep workers safe when entering, exiting and working in confined spaces. The training must include having emergency procedures in place to exit the confined space safely, should that be necessary.

Training – ensure it is relevant to your attendees

The content of the training will need to be determined by the type of confined space your workers are required to enter, exit and to carry out work in.  Determining the level of risk will clarify the classification of confined space training you will require. It is not a case of one size fits all, if the level of risk is low, then a much less intensive course is required.  See below examples:

• Low risk - A shallow confined space which has easy entry/exit and natural or mechanical ventilation and no likely risk of flooding e.g., a meter pit or a pressure reducing valve chamber would require the workers completing the one-day NC1 course.  
• High risk - Workers carrying out work in; a man entry sewer or utility service subway, where it is not possible to have the operatives permanently attached to a safety line will require a higher level of training such as the three-day NC3 classification confined space training.

Before booking the training.

Consult with your team – they will be able to tell you what kind of work they carry out in confined spaces, the equipment that will be used, and the nature of the confined space, who supervises the work and who will be carrying out the work there. You need to consult with someone who is totally competent to ensure that you get the right training for your delegates.  If you have a health and safety officer, he/she should be part of the consultation process, but also include, and do not underestimate the knowledge of the person who carries out the work. After consultation, you should have a good understanding of the following:

• The Company Policy on entering and working in a confined space area.
• The types of confined space your employees work in.
• Who requires the training i.e.; operatives, supervisors, contractors?
• How often workers have to enter/exit, work in the confined space.
• Location and level of risk, based on your risk assessment.
• Your permit to work system.
• What equipment or substances will be used within the confined space?
• What tasks are being carried out within confined space; e.g.; welding, painting, soldering…?

Now you have sufficient information to enable you to contact training providers to ensure that they can meet your requirements.  You should feel confident when you speak or correspond with the training provider, that they fully understand your needs.  The training should be delivered by a highly qualified, competent and experienced instructor. Don’t be afraid to ask about the qualifications of the tutor. Don’t waste your training budget on courses that don’t meet your specific requirements. 

Here are a few tips:

• Have three training provider’s details so that you can compare suitability, quality and cost.
• Provide the training provider’s advisor with the findings of your gathered information so that they know exactly what you need in the training course.
• Ask for a written detailed course content as well as the cost. (you can compare the three quotations like for like)
• Review the course content with your team to determine if it meets your requirement to keep operatives and others safe whilst working in or around confined space areas.
• Compare the costs of accredited and non-accredited training – I would advise that the training provider should offer accredited training such as City & Guilds, LANTRA, CABWI or equivalent as this shows they meet specific industry based third party requirements, however, if the confined space is low risk, you can reduce your costs by accepting the Training Provider Certificate (same course, without the cost for certification which will fully meet your legal duty, ask for written confirmation of this).
• With regards to certification; if you are completing the training at the requirements of a client you are carrying out work for, check if accredited certificates are required. (many public sector organisations require this).
• Ensure the training provider will be assessing the competence of each of the delegates and providing feedback should anyone require further training to keep them and others safe.

Remember; this is not a box ticking exercise, you require the training to be totally relevant to your attendees and to have met your legal duty to potentially reduce the risks of injury associated with entering, exiting and working in or near to confined spaces. This is highly specialised training and the instructor will require the relevant qualifications, experience and competence to enable them to deliver a comprehensive course. Finding the right training provider is crucial.  If you need recommendations, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Typical course content 

• Understanding the meaning of ‘confined space’
• Health and Safety legislation 
• Employer and employee responsibilities 
• Understanding hazards associated with confined spaces.
• The risk assessment process
• Applying the hierarchy of risk control
• Safe systems of work
• Permit to work system
• Atmospheric monitoring – including safe use and storage of equipment
• Choosing and using the correct PPE and RPE
• Emergency procedures for evacuation

Upon completion of the training candidates should have sufficient understanding of the risks associated with working in specific confined spaces by being able to; 

• Recognise when they are entering or working in a confined space.
• Identify associated hazards and what controls must be put in place to keep themselves and others safe.
• Fulfil the requirements of the permit to work.
• Understand the importance of using the correct PPE and RPE, how and when to wear it and how maintain its’ integrity when it is not in use.
• Recognise emergency situations and be able to raise an alarm and how to evacuate the confined space safely if necessary.
• Demonstrate their competence by completing a short test and practical assessment.

Your training provider’s quality assurance system will have measured that the training was delivered to the highest quality and they have fully met their remit to teach your candidates how to keep themselves and others safe in and around confined spaces. The assessment process will have tested the competency of the candidates and your requirement to provide the highest quality of training for your employees has been accomplished.

We at NPTNI pride ourselves for being associated with the best health and safety training professionals in Northern Ireland so please feel free to ask for advice.