Confined space training is necessary for a range of scenarios on a mine site. This is because confined spaces often pose very specific dangers and challenges to mine workers. Getting the appropriate training helps to lower these risks and make sure everyone is able to perform their job easily and effectively. The RIIWHS202E is a great choice when you need a working in confined spaces certificate.
What is a confined space?
According to the Safe Work Australia Code of Practice, a confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed space that is intended primarily not for human occupancy. It has limited entry or exit points, and presents potential risks to health and safety. Examples include storage tanks, sewers, and shipboard spaces.
Atmospheric hazards, particularly oxygen deficiency and toxic gases, are the most prevalent dangers in confined spaces. Continuous monitoring is essential to ensure a safe working environment.
What is the RIIWHS202E Enter and Work in Confined Spaces course?
RIIWHS202E Enter and Work in Confined Spaces training course is a nationally recognised certification, specifically designed to teach people to operate in confined spaces across mining environments. It equips you with essential skills to navigate these challenging spaces safely and effectively.
Mine Training Australia is your trusted partner for mine training based in Perth. Our commitment lies in delivering top-tier, industry-leading, nationally recognised training programs designed to ensure the utmost safety, efficiency, and productivity at your worksite. One of our flagship offerings is the RIIWHS202E Enter and Work in Confined Spaces training course.
Why choose our RIIWHS202E confined space training?
At Mine Training Australia, our RIIWHS202E course is meticulously crafted and delivered by industry experts with extensive practical experience. Our trainers integrate real-world scenarios into the curriculum, ensuring that you gain practical, hands-on knowledge that is directly applicable to your daily work.
The course includes practical training to ensure participants can apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios. Upon successful completion, participants receive a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment for RIIWHS202E Enter and Work in Confined Spaces. This enhances your career opportunities and employability across Australia.
Nationally accredited programs
At Mine Training Australia, we offer nationally accredited training programs for industries associated with high risk, including construction, mining, maintenance, work at heights, and rescue & recovery. In our specially tailored course, participants are trained to enter and effectively operate within confined spaces safely. The course covers confined space operations to ensure safe and compliant work practices. Upon successful completion, you will receive a Nationally Recognised Statement of Attainment for various Confined Space Entry units, which includes a permit for confined space entry.
To enrol in this Confined Space Entry Course in Perth, click the Enrol button. For more details, feel free to get in touch through our contact form or give us a call at 9221 1803.
A variety of confined space training courses in Perth
Mine Training Australia is a certified and recognised training organisation (RTO Code 51586), fully authorised to provide Nationally Recognised Training in accordance with national and jurisdictional legislation across Australia. All of our Confined Space Safety Training Courses are held at our high-risk training centre in Osbourne Park, Perth, the most extensive practical, hands-on training centre in Western Australia. We can also coordinate group training sessions at your site upon request. Our seasoned instructors employ the most recent safety equipment from Mine Training Australia and other prominent manufacturers to illustrate the latest techniques on safely executing confined space entry and assessing situations in high-risk confined space work environments.
Flexible learning options
Understanding the diverse needs of our clients, we offer flexible learning options. These include on-site training, sessions at our state-of-the-art Perth facility, and customised courses tailored to your specific business requirements.
A safety-first approach
Safety is at the core of our training philosophy at Mine Training Australia. We are unwavering in our commitment to ensuring that every participant in our RIIWHS202E course is fully prepared to safely enter and work within confined spaces.
What is covered in Mine Training Australia’s RIIWHS202E confined space training?
Our course covers a range of crucial topics related to working in confined spaces. Every aspect of this training is important and necessary for effective work in confined spaces.
Identifying and managing confined space hazards
This is important to assess the dangers of any given scenario. Once you have thoroughly examined all the danger in the present situation, you will know the best way to proceed.
Safe working practices under permit requirements
Learning the safe working practices according to the requirements of permits helps you decide on the right course of action. The safe working practices are the guideline used to make sure people are safe while working in these situations.
Effective use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment is critical for all types of mine work. Knowing how to utilise PPE to the greatest effect is important for staying safe on the job. Participants will learn to use PPE including including respiratory protection, flame-resistant clothing, gloves, safety harnesses, and steel-capped boots.
Implementation of emergency procedures
Knowing how to implement emergency procedures allows you to calmly deal with these situations when they arise. Every workplace should outline their emergency procedures so that employees know which steps to take.
Conducting gas testing
Conducting gas testing helps you to stay safe from harmful gaseous chemicals in the atmosphere of a confined space. This is important, as inhaling these compounds can often be very damaging to individuals.
A deeper look into confined space training
Our confined space training is a blend of classroom learning and practical exercises. You will begin by understanding how to identify and assess confined spaces, focusing on specific hazards like oxygen deficiency, toxic gases, flammable vapours, and gas test atmospheres. The course includes hands-on practice in safe entry and exit techniques, communication protocols with standby personnel, and emergency procedures. Additionally, the use of breathing apparatus as part of the safety measures is thoroughly covered.
To effectively work in confined spaces, it is crucial to recognise the four primary types of hazards:
- Atmospheric hazards: Confined spaces often contain oxygen-deficient atmospheres, toxic gases, and flammable vapours, making it essential to conduct thorough gas testing before entry. Recognising and controlling these atmospheric hazards is crucial for maintaining a safe environment.
- Physical hazards: Structural dangers, such as unstable surfaces and the risk of entrapment, are common in confined spaces. Our training teaches you how to identify these risks and implement the necessary safety measures to protect yourself and others.
- Biological hazards: Harmful organisms, including bacteria and moulds, can thrive in confined spaces, posing significant health risks. We ensure you understand how to identify these biological threats and how to mitigate their impact through proper safety protocols.
- Mechanical hazards: The presence of machinery and equipment within confined spaces introduces the potential for injury. Our course covers the safe operation of such equipment and the use of protective measures to minimise these risks.
Begin your training journey today!
Embark on a path of professional growth and enhanced safety with Mine Training Australia. Our RIIWHS202E Enter and Work in Confined Spaces training course is your gateway to improved skills and greater employability. Contact us today to discuss your training needs or to enrol and secure your confined spaces ticket.
Frequently asked questions
How do you classify a confined space?
A confined space can be classified using a list of definition criteria. By using these factors, you are able to see if something fits the parameters of a confined space.
- Is the space enclosed or partially enclosed?
- Is the space intended or designed primarily for other than human occupancy?
- Does the space have a restricted means of entry and exit?
- Is the space designed or intended to be at normal atmospheric pressure while any person is in the space?
- Could the atmosphere have oxygen concentration outside of the safe oxygen range?
- Could the atmosphere have a concentration of airborne contaminant that may cause fire or explosion?
- Could the atmosphere have harmful concentrations of any airborne contaminants?
- Could there be a risk of engulfment?
If you have answered Yes to question 1 and at least once for any questions afterwards (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) the area is classified as a confined space. E.g. 1 + 4 = confined space.
It’s also important to note that just because a space is not intended for human occupancy, it doesn’t mean that it is considered a confined space. For example, spaces such as a storage room or a warehouse is not considered a confined space as they are intended for human occupancy. It’s important to conduct a thorough assessment of the space to determine if it is a confined space, as the assessment will identify the potential hazards and will help to implement appropriate measures to protect the employee.
What are examples of confined spaces?
A range of different spaces on a mine site could be considered confined spaces. These include, but are not limited to tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, pits, manholes, tunnels, equipment housings, ductwork, pipelines, etc.
What is entry into a confined space?
Confined spaces are known for having limited or restricted means of entry or exit. They are not designed for continuous occupancy. You are considered to have entered the space when your breathing zone (mouth/nose) is inside of it.
How do you train for a confined space?
Confined space training includes theory and practical sessions covering the relevant material. This includes learning to recognise hazards, implementing control measures, communicating with a sentry or standby person outside the confined space, working safely inside the confined space and what to do in case of an emergency.
What is a confined space qualification?
A confined space qualification is a course designed to prepare mine workers for job tasks that may require them to enter and work in a confined space. These qualifications typically involve doing a one day course that allows someone to learn health and safety procedures for reducing the danger of working in a confined space.
Can you do a confined space course online?
You are not able to do a confined space course online. Confined space training courses are conducted here at our Mine Training Australia premises face to face to give you the best possible training. We give you all the information on the dangers associated with confined spaces and the practical steps that can be taken to eliminate or reduce the risks that they present.
How long does confined space training last?
This is a nationally recognised unit of competency. This unit of competency does not expire, but the industry recommendation is to take a confined space training refresher every 2 years.
The length of time that a confined space certification lasts in Australia varies depending on the employer. Confined space training is typically provided by private training organisations that are approved by the state or territory regulators.
It’s important to note that some employers may require more frequent re-certification. Therefore, it’s important to check with the specific employer to find out how often you need to renew your certification.
It’s also worth noting that even with a valid certification, employers still have the responsibility to evaluate their employees skill and knowledge and ensure that they are operating safely in a confined space.
What steps are to be taken when working in confined spaces?
When working in a confined space, there are important steps you can take to ensure everything progresses safely. These steps are taught throughout the different units in a confined spaces course.
- Identify the space and requirement to enter
- Identify and eliminate all hazards
- Ensure the confined space is safe to enter
- Enter and work in the confined space
- Monitor the confined space for hazards
- Exit the confined space
What control measures are mandatory when entering a confined space?
There are three primary control measures that are necessary when entering a confined space. These are the testing for dead, oxygen analysis and making sure the ventilation equipment is set up properly.
The first control measure you need to implement is making sure that the space is isolated and conducting a test for dead. This helps to ensure that your equipment is working properly.
The next step is to conduct an analysis on the oxygen content within the space. You must make sure that oxygen content is within safe limits and a hazardous atmosphere (toxic gases, flammable atmosphere) is not present.
Finally, you may need to set up ventilation equipment. If this is necessary, having the knowledge about how to operate it is important.
When is a confined space permit required?
A confined space permit is required when an employee is going to enter a confined space. This is determined by the Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations, which are enforced by the state and territory regulators. The permit is a document that outlines the specific procedures and precautions that need to be taken to ensure the safety of the employee entering the confined space.
The permit must be issued by a person who has the knowledge, experience, and qualifications to assess the risks associated with entering the confined space. A permit must include the following information:
- The name and details of the confined space
- The date and duration of entry
- The names of the persons authorised to enter the confined space
- The hazards associated with the confined space
- The precautions and controls that will be implemented to protect the employee
- The emergency procedures that will be in place
- The inspection, testing, and maintenance of the equipment
- The rescue procedures in case of an emergency
It’s important to note that the requirements for confined space permits can vary depending on the state or territory. However, the goal is generally to identify and eliminate or control the potential hazards of confined spaces.
Who is a duly responsible person in regard to signing an entry permit of confined spaces?
A “duly responsible person” is someone who is authorised by the employer to issue a permit for entry into a confined space. This person is responsible for ensuring that the necessary precautions and controls are in place to protect the employee who will enter the confined space.
The “duly responsible person” is typically someone who has the knowledge, experience, and qualifications to assess the risks associated with entering the confined space. They will be able to develop the necessary procedures and controls to ensure the safety of the employee. This person is usually a supervisor or manager who has been trained in confined space entry procedures and has the authority to make decisions regarding the safety of the employees.
It’s important to note that the “duly responsible person” should also ensure that the permit is regularly reviewed, and that any changes to the permit are made promptly and communicated to all affected employees.