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FAQ |
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- What is the definition of a Confined Space?
- What about the other phrases mentioned
- What are the mandatory requirements for owners?
- What are the requirements of personnel who work in or on the outside surface or are supervising work?
- What equipment is required for Confined Space work?
- Why is our fully accredited course 4 days long when other training providers offer qualifications in as short a time as 2 days.
What is the definition of a Confined Space?
There is 3 criteria you must find to declare an area a confined space.
- An enclosed or partially space.( this means either personnel or product could held in any way or prevented from escaping)
- Is at atmospheric pressure during occupancy (spaces that aren't at atmospheric pressure either are not accessible as in a boiler or gas tank, or are covered by other legislation e.g. diving or pressure vessels.)
- Is not intended or designed primarily as a place of work (i.e. personnel entering silos, working on pumps in sewers doing brickwork in kilns every day does not change the core function of the space)
What about the other phrases mentioned e.g.
Is liable at any time to -
(i) have an atmosphere which contains potentially harmful levels of contamination;
(ii) have an oxygen deficiency or excess; or
(iii) cause engulfment ; and
(iv) could have (but need not) restricted means for entry and exit
These are not anywhere near as important as the first 3 criteria as they might not be apparent without sophisticated instruments, high levels of training, differing opinion or be present at all times.
What are the mandatory requirements for owners?
Confined Spaces must be signposted and secured against unauthorized entry (this can be signs and locks or induction training of all personnel who may come into contact with the space)
There must be a management plan including a risk assessment for each Confined Space.
What are the requirements of personnel who work in or on the outside surface or are supervising work?
All personnel must be trained ( levels of training and length of training sessions are identified in the document released in 1996 by The National Occupational Health and Safety Commission : Core Training Elements For The National Standard For Safe Working In a Confined Space)
There must be a trained standbye person on the outside in as close proximity as possible to the entrance.
This standbye person must at all times remain in contact with personnel in the space and be able to activate an emergency response in the event of an incident.
All other procedures including entry permits must be set out in the up to date risk assessment.(not older than 5 years)
What equipment is required for Confined Space work?
Safety Harnesses and atmospheric testing instrumentation are really the only pieces of equipment that can't be overlooked.
The remainder depends on the risk assessment.
Why is our fully accredited course 4 days long when other training providers offer qualifications in as short a time as 2 days.
Some training providers are not accredited RTO's (Recognised Training Organisations) which means they are not bound by VETAB to deliver training to any set standard.
Our time frame comes from federal document released by the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission.(Core Training Elements For The National Standard For Safe Working In a Confined Space)
This means these training providers can not issue recognised qualifications.
Other training providers who are RTO's are not issuing the whole 4 of the national competencies: Identify and control entry to confined space PRMWM45A
Enter confined space PMAHYD205A
Conduct operations in confined or restricted spaces PMPOHS03A
Undertake confined space rescue PUASAR005A
This severely limits what tasks personnel would be able to actually carry out in relation to confined spaces.
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