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At Simply Learning, we are specialists in confined space training. This guide explains what it is, who will benefit from it, what the training entails.
We have been providing confined space training for over 20 years. All of our trainers are highly-skilled professionals with practical experience gained in industry.
What is confined space training?
The presence of confined spaces poses unique challenges and potential hazards. Working in confined spaces requires specialised knowledge and skills to ensure workers are equipped with the necessary expertise to navigate these challenging environments safely.
Confined space training supports people to work safely in any environment that is defined as confined space – either low, medium or high risk confined space rescue.
Examples of confined spaces
Confined spaces include rooms without good ventilation (such as the cellar of a bar) as well as places that you would normally think of as a confined space- offshore environments, sewers, gas works, emergency service and rescue scenarios, marine units and water stations.
A confined space can be determined by anywhere where there is risk, for example, a room with the windows shut where noxious substances such as paint or paint stripping materials are being handled, as well as cellars where there are gases and materials that could be harmful to people.
What type of training is right for us?
Confined spaces are defined in terms of risk, low, medium and high.
Our most popular confined space training course is medium risk as this covers the majority of dangers in more depth. The training covers fire or explosion, gas and vapours, flooding, free flowing solids (e.g. grains of sand) and increase in body temperature. If you are working in any of these conditions, then confined space training may apply.
We find that most companies dealing in offshore, fire, police or the armed forces require this type of training.
We help businesses to determine which level is most appropriate to them. Contact us to discuss.
What courses do you offer and how long do they take?
Our courses are categorised into Working in Confined Spaces and Emergency Rescue & Recovery.
We offer the following courses, which are delivered over the time frames below. For more detailed course information, please read on or visit our page.
Working In Confined Spaces
City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Working in Low Risk Confined Spaces
1 day course
City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Entrant & Entry Controller For Confined Spaces (Medium Risk)
2 day course
City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Working in High Risk Confined Spaces
3 day course
City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Working as a Member of a Rescue and Recovery Team in Confined Spaces
3 day course, reduced to 2 days with an already completed high risk course.
City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Working as a Member of a Rescue and Recovery Team in Confined Spaces
Can be reduced to 2 days with an already completed high risk course.
Confined space training course breakdown
City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Working in Low Risk Confined Spaces
1 day course delivered on-site at Simply Learning. This course can also be delivered off-site if conditions are met and the site is approved by a visiting instructor.
Who is it for?
The ideal candidate for this course is someone who works in shallow, well-ventilated areas.
What does the course cover?
The course has 3 elements – theory, practical and an assessment.
The course covers the theoretical side of what a confined space is, how to identify one and how to use equipment such as a tripod and harness.
The practical side of the course includes candidates lowering themselves with the harness and tripod into the tower of our purpose-built unit, completing a task and then exiting through the way they entered. Candidates will never unclip from the tripod and will not use an escape set as no fake smoke will be added to the unit.
The final stage of the course is a written theory test. Candidates are given 2 hours to complete this and will be complete when the test is passed.
City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Entrant & Entry Controller for Confined Spaces (Medium Risk)
2 day course delivered on-site at Simply Learning. This course can also be delivered off-site if conditions are met and the site is approved by a visiting instructor.
Who is it for?
The ideal candidate for this course is someone who works in deeper, partially ventilated areas.
What does the course cover?
The course has all the elements of the low-risk course with some additional elements.
This 2-day course covers the theoretical side of what a confined space is, how to identify one and how to use equipment such as a tripod and harness.
In addition, a risk assessment will be conducted and candidates will go to our purpose-built unit and set control measures such as checking the equipment being used for gas detection and escape sets.
This will give the candidate an understanding of how to establish a safe working environment, fill out correct documentation before entering the unit and completing the assessment.
Candidates will then be expected to enter the confined space unit by climbing down from the tallest tower. After entry, they will need to travel around the unit and crawl back to where they entered. Smoke will be involved in this practical, so they will be instructed to put their escape sets on while in the unit.
The final stage of the course is a written theory test. Candidates are given 2 hours to complete this and will be complete when the test is passed.
City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Working in High Risk Confined Spaces
3 day course delivered on-site at Simply Learning.
Who is it for?
The ideal candidate for this course is someone who works in high-risk, deep or underground areas with limited ventilation and a heightened risk of smoke or flames.
What does the course cover?
The course has all the elements of the medium-risk course and some additional elements, detailed below. The medium risk entry will be practised on day 2, so candidates will have an idea of the unit before their official assessment.
This 3-day course covers the theoretical side of what a confined space is, how to identify one and how to use equipment such as a tripod and harness.
In addition, a risk assessment will be conducted and candidates will go to our purpose-built unit and set control measures such as checking the equipment being used for gas detection and escape sets.
This will give the candidate an understanding of how to establish a safe working environment, fill out correct documentation before entering the unit and completing the assessment.
Candidates will then be expected to enter the confined space unit by climbing down from the tallest tower. After entry, they will need to travel around the unit and crawl back to where they entered. Smoke will be involved in this practical, so they will be instructed to put their escape sets on while in the unit.
Candidates will be asked to enter the unit where there is smoke, whilst using a mask.
The final stage of the course is a written theory test. Candidates are given 2 hours to complete this and will be complete when the test is passed.
Once passed, candidates can move on to the supervisors and rescue training, which can be as an addition to the training.
Emergency Rescue & Recovery
City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Working as a Member of a Rescue and Recovery Team in Confined Spaces
3 day course on-site at Simply Learning, reduced to 2 days with an already completed high risk course.
This course follows on from the high-risk course.
Candidates will be asked to go over rescue equipment and plan a rescue exercise before entering our purpose-built unit. There will also be training on completing a medical overview.
The practical element of the course will include a dummy that is placed in the confined space unit to simulate a rescue mission.
Candidates will have to travel with a spinal board in an environment with higher levels of smoke than the other course practical assessments.
The course concludes with a written assessment and must only be taken once the high-risk course has been completed.
Prerequisites and things to consider
Physical considerations
There is a weight limit of 21 stone for this course. We can however, give a CABWI top man certification to anyone over this restriction.
Please note that taller candidates may be uncomfortable in the unit when crawling around.
As a safety precaution we ask that all candidates are clean shaven as face masks are used for the medium-risk courses and above. Hoods are available for medium risk but are limited, so they must be requested at time of booking.
Choosing a course
If any candidates are working in environments where they are required to unclip their harness or working in deep areas or areas with low ventilation, then they will need to pick a course that tackles medium or high risk environments.
We have welcomed clients from a diverse range of companies including offshore companies, the police, navy, fire service, hospitality, installers, plumbers and electricians, landfill operatives, rail companies, local authorities, water, gas and power stations to name but a few.
Benefits beyond training
Hopefully this will give you an insight into how our courses are structured and what type of training your candidates will benefit from. In addition to keeping your teams safe, confined space training is a fantastic way to enhance safety awareness, increase productivity, reduce risk and prepare for emergency situations- and there are unseen benefits such as team morale and confidence.
Our friendly and experienced team is always on hand to answer any questions you might have or help you decide which course is best for your candidates. Please contact us or visit our page for more information.
We are also available to visit your site and offer advice for on-site specific requirements and closed course delivery. Please contact us to discuss.
