Confined spaces in construction medium risk - GET3492

Duration

12 hours

Purpose/ scope

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

Scope:

• examples and definitions of confined spaces
• specialist personal protective equipment (PPE) including practice in the use of masks, harnesses, winches, gas monitors, Escape Breathing Apparatus (EBA)
• paperwork and documentation
• safe systems of work
• monitors, bump test, peak readings, gas hazards and alarm levels
• fall arrest equipment, winches tripod and harness
• duties and responsibilities of personnel (e.g. winchman, top man, bottom man duties)
• theory and practical exercises and assessments
• emergency procedures
• the importance of reporting accidents, ill health and other incidents (RIDDOR)

Learner pre-requisites

Learners need to be in good health and physically fit

Instruction/ supervision

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

• an accredited award in education and training at level 3 or higher (or equivalent, as per requirements for approved training organisations)
• TAQA L3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement (Assessment Only)
• at least 2 years industrial experience relevant to the scope of the standard
• a verifiable CV

Delivery

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

The learning environment, class size and learner/trainer ratio must allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable learners to achieve the learning outcomes, recommended maximum 1:10 for theory and 1:6 for practical.

Delivery may be in an on or off the job environment and will include opportunities to practice using specialist PPE in confined spaces, though it is recommended that this training facility should not be subject to ‘live’ unknown risks, but simulated, mitigating risk of harm.

Live site should only be used as a last resort where specific requirements need to be met, i.e. a bespoke training requirement. This will only happen if the ATO has seen and agreed to the site-specific risk assessment prepared by the site owner.

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 approximately 55/45 theory/practical training

This standard is considered to be set at an entry level

Assessment

Formally Assessed

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

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

• multiple choice questions
• short answer questions
• practical assessment

Practical assessment pass criteria for this standard:

• as outlined in the individual learning outcomes

Where this training is assessed using multiple-choice questions, all learning outcomes must be covered over [15] questions and learners are required to achieve an overall pass mark of at least 75%.

and

Where this training is assessed using short answer questions, all learning outcomes must be covered over [15] questions and learners are required to achieve an overall pass mark of at least 70%

Quality Assurance

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.

Renewal

Renewal every 3 years

Classification 

Mandatory Renewal

Learning outcomes

The learner will be able to:

Define a “confined space” e.g. low, medium and high risk

Delivery guidance:

• to include confined space classifications and examples of low, medium and high risk
• Approved Code of Practice Safe Work in Confined Spaces (ACOP L101) – pages 7-9

Use specialist personal protective equipment (PPE) including masks, harnesses, winches, tripods, gas monitors and escape breathing apparatus

Delivery guidance:

• practice the use of Escape Breathing Apparatus (EBA), harnesses, winches, tripods, gas monitors
• inspection and applications of tripods, winches, fall arrest equipment, EBA, and use of gas monitors
• gas monitors - bump testing, Peak readings, Short Term Exposure Limits (STELs), Time Weighted Average (TWA) / Long Term Exposure Limit 8 hrs (LTEL), for Oxygen (02), Methane (CH4), Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Assessment criteria:

• EBA - hooded and mask set to be shown, EBA parts and pre-use checks to be covered, (assembly/dismantle) disinfect & use

Assessment specification:

• checking of equipment; ‘donning and doffing’ procedures
• types of escape breathing apparatus

Understanding relevant paperwork and documentation

Delivery guidance:

• interpret risk assessments 
• hazard identification: to include the five specified risks as outlined in (L101 Regulation 1 page 7) worked examples of:
  • Risk Assessment (RA),
  • Point Of Work Risk Assessment (POWRA),
  • Safe System of Work (SSW),
  • Permit To Work (PTW),
  • Gas log.

Explain why we have safe systems of work

Delivery guidance:

• ACOP L101, regulation 4 pages 24 and 25 – Work in Confined Spaces
• winchman, topman, bottom - man duties
• explain the roles of barriers, signage, permits to work and access control 
• to include rescue requirements and dealing with emergency situations; manning levels and communications 

Read and interpret gas monitors to identify atmospheric hazards and gas alarm levels

Delivery guidance:

• gas monitors - bump testing, Peak readings, Short - Term Exposure Limits (STELs), Time Weighted Average (TWA) / Long Term Exposure Limit 8 hrs (LTEL), for Oxygen (02), Methane (CH4), Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and gas log

Assessment criteria:

• practical interrogation and use of monitors

Demonstrate how to check and fit a harness and correctly erect fall arrest equipment

Delivery guidance:

• trainer to explain and demonstrate routine checking and fitting of harness
• trainer to explain and demonstrate routine checking and erection of fall arrest, winches and tripods

Assessment criteria:

• trainer to guide leaners in the correct erection of fall arrest equipment
• trainer to guide leaners in the correct fitting of harness

Identify the duties and responsibilities of personnel: winchman, topman, bottom - man

Delivery guidance:

• to include current legislation: The Health and Safety at Work Act; Confined Space Regulations, Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM), Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Workplace Exposure Limits (EH40)

Assessment criteria:

• role play of specific personnel e.g. entry controller, winchman, entrant
• set up, enter and exit a chamber safely, making appropriate recordings (comms checks, gas readings)

Explain appropriate behaviour when working in medium risk confined spaces

Delivery guidance:

• examples of inappropriate behaviour may help to highlight appropriate behaviour, drug, alcohol and attitude

State emergency procedures in accordance with ACOP L101 Regulation 5 – Emergency Arrangements

Delivery guidance:

• identify the onset of danger and respond appropriately 
• how to recover casualty, contact emergency services and after care

State the importance of reporting accidents, ill health and other incidents. Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)

Additional information about this standard

• Approved Code of Practice Safe Work in Confined Spaces (ACOP L101)
• EH40 2005 Workplace Exposure Limits
• Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 L113 (LOLER)
• INDG258 Confined spaces: A brief guide to working safely
• L22 Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) (4th edition)
• L138 Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DESER) (2nd edition)
• L5 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) (6th edition)
• L25 Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1998 (4th edition)
• HSG 53 Respiratory Protective Equipment at work: A practical guide
• L74 First Aid at Work Regulations 1981 (3rd edition)