Confined spaces in construction medium risk – refresher

Category

Confined spaces

Duration

Minimum 6 learning hours per day (not including assessment time)

Standard overview

The purpose of this standard is to provide the learner with the knowledge and/or skills to support the following:

Scope:

• confined spaces: definition
• risk assessment and training
• safe systems of work
• marking, fencing and permits to work and access control
• specialist Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including practice in the use of masks, harnesses, hoists, gas detectors, escape breathing apparatus and an overview of working breathing apparatus
• emergency procedures
• practice sessions
• dangers and responses

All practical elements are mandatory in this standard as per HSE

Learner pre-requisites

There are no learner pre-requisites as part of this standard.

Instruction/ supervision

As a minimum, course trainers must be able to demonstrate that, in relation to this standard, they have:

• an award in education and training (or equivalent, as per requirements for approved training organisations)
• at least 2 years industrial experience relevant to the scope of the standard
• a verifiable CV

Delivery Materials

All materials and equipment must be of a suitable quality and quantity for learner to achieve learning outcomes and must comply with relevant legislation.

The learning environment, class size and learner-to-trainer ratio must allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable learners to achieve the learning outcomes.

The following delivery methods may be used in the delivery of this standard:

• Face-To-Face Learning Environment Only (Such As Classroom/Workshop etc.)

This standard is predominantly practical training.

• All practical elements are mandatory in this standard as per HSE

This standard is considered to be set at an intermediate level.

Assessment Pass or Fail Criteria

For the successful completion of training, learners must complete an end of course practical assessment or knowledge test that measures all learning outcomes and has a pass or fail criteria.

Where this training is assessed using multiple-choice questions, all learning outcomes must be covered and learners are required to achieve an overall pass mark of at least 80%.

All practical elements are mandatory in this standard as per HSE

Methods of assessment considered appropriate for training delivered against this standard are:

• Multiple-choice questions
• short answer questions
• practical assessment

Name of proposed Recognised Organisation

Assured

Quality assurance against this standard will require initial approval of the training organisation and their content mapped to the standard.

CITB will also conduct an approval intervention, either desk-based or centre visit, to ensure the training organisation can meet the requirements of the training standard.

Approved training organisations (ATOs) will be required to present information on records of training and assessment upon request to CITB for desk-based analysis. They will also be visited annually by the CITB quality assurance team.

Achievement Lifespan

Renewal

Renewal every 36 months

Buffer/grace period

6 months

Classification

Recommended refresher

Working Group Approval date

Jan 2024

Proof-Read Approval Date

Jan 2024

Review cycle

On request or 5 years from approval date.

Learning outcomes

Including additional guidance to support training delivery and final assessment

The learner will be able to:

Define a “confined space” 

Delivery guidance:

• to include confined space classifications and examples  

Interpret and interrogate a formal risk assessment 

Delivery guidance:

• to include current legislation: the Management of Health and Safety At Work Regulations; Confined Space, Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, other relevant and superseding legislation 
• hazard identification (using examples of air quality/atmospheres, fire, dust, liquids, free flowing solids, weather, restricted access); possible effects or consequences of exposure to hazards; disease and hygiene 

Describe what “safe systems of work” should be implemented in different confined space scenarios. 

Delivery guidance:

• to include rescue requirements and dealing with emergency situations; manning levels and communications 

Explain the roles of marking, fencing, permits to work and access control 

Delivery guidance:

• managing confined spaces, to include documentation; safety zones 

Enter and exit a medium risk confined space 

Delivery guidance:

• practice and practical assessment in order to enter, work and exit safely

Use specialist PPE including masks, harnesses, hoists, gas detectors, escape breathing apparatus 

Delivery guidance:

• to include checking of equipment; ‘donning and doffing’ procedures; face seals and face fit testing advice; types of escape breathing apparatus; ‘top person’ record charts and entrance to base assessments; dangers of ‘working at height’; equipment care, positive and negative pressure systems  

Describe the use of self-contained open circuit (working) breathing apparatus used in high risk confined spaces 

Delivery guidance:

• an overview 

Explain the onset of risks and danger not identified by risk assessment and appropriate response 

Delivery guidance:

• real-time/dynamic assessment of risk and responses; possible scenarios and responses  

Additional information about this standard

• http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg258.pdf 
• http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr302.htm 
• http://www.hse.gov.uk/pUbns/priced/l101.pdf 
• http://www.hse.gov.uk/pUbns/priced/l153.pdf 
• http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/2015/principal-contractors.htm
• http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/2015/designers.htm