Rescue from a Confined Space Standard

This Product is designed for personnel across the energy sector with an existing knowledge and understanding of Confined Spaces* and the necessary skills for confined space entry who are required to gain the knowledge and skills to conduct rescue from a Confined Space.

*Confined Space Definition:

Any space of an enclosed nature where there is a risk of death or serious injury from hazardous substances or dangerous conditions within the space or nearby.

A space that is large enough and so configured that a person can bodily enter and perform assigned work and has limited or restricted means for entry or exit and is not designed for continuous human occupancy.

This Product covers the relevant knowledge and skills to carry out a Rescue from a Confined Space, whilst adhering to relevant legislative guidelines and Safe Systems of Work. Learners will also be instructed and assessed in the use of appropriate PPE and equipment.

The objectives of the Confined Space Rescue are that learners will be able to understand:

(a) Applicable regional legislation and guidelines for emergency arrangements

(b) Hazards associated with confined spaces

(c) Common causes of confined space emergencies

(d) Safe Systems of work for confined spaces (incl. PTW where applicable)

(e) Emergency response communication

(f) Roles and Responsibilities for emergency arrangements

(g) Emergency Rescue Plans

(h) Rescuer safety

(i) Fire safety

(j) Rescue and resuscitation equipment

(k) SCBA equipment and how to don and doff

(l) Confined space rescue techniques

And

Learners will be able to perform:

(m) Creation of a scenario-based rescues plan

(n) Pre use emergency equipment checks

(o) Donning and use of full SCBA set

(p) Execution of a scenario-based rescues plans using appropriate rescue techniques

(q) Communication using appropriate methods

(r) Use of emergency rescue equipment

(s) Use of resuscitation equipment

Learners must hold a valid OPITO Approved Confined Space Entry certificate.

Medical entry requirements

Training and/or assessment activities contained within this Product may include physically demanding and potentially stressful elements. All personnel who participate in such activities must be capable of participating fully.

Therefore, OPITO-approved Centres are required, to ensure that prior to participating in practical exercises the learner undergoes medical screening by completing an appropriate medical screening form provided by the OPITO-approved Centre

The OPITO-approved Centre shall keep a record of the learner’s declaration of fitness in accordance with their document control policy(s) or procedures.

This information, along with summary details of the type of physical activities the learner will be asked to perform, will be given to learners by the OPITO-approved Centre and, if applicable, to their sponsoring company as part of the joining instructions. The responsibility for declaring any current or pre-existing medical conditions that could have adverse effects to the individual’s state of health while undertaking the training and/or assessment activities lies with the learner and/or company sponsoring the learner.

Where doubt exists regarding the fitness of any learner, the OPITO-approved Centre should direct the individual to consult a medical officer familiar with the nature and extent of the training.

Note: Practical exercises should be designed and delivered solely to meet this Product, and must not place on the learners any demands other than those required to meet the Product.

To complete the Rescue from a Confined Space Standard the two mandatory units must be achieved

13 hours

The Rescue from a Confined Space certificate has a three-year validity.

Please note: If the expiry date on the learners previous certificate is within 3 months prior of the course enrolment date then the date of the new certificate should correspond with the expiry date of the existing/previous certificate unless stated otherwise by the Duty Holder or Asset Owner or Operator.