Course photo
Enrol now Find a provider

Course Set - RIIWHS202E & MSMWHS216 Confined spaces and Operate breathing apparatus


This course is designed for new and experienced personnel required to work in confined spaces and wear breathing apparatus in the resources and infrastructure industries at an operational level. Many roles require confined space and breathing apparatus training, including safety, injury prevention and maintenance personnel, engineers, risk managers, mine managers, cable installers and transport personnel. The breathing apparatus training covers working in a confined space, with hazardous gases/vapours, or in an oxygen deficient atmosphere and who may work alone or as part of a team as an operator required to wear breathing apparatus in their work role.   

Participants will learn to distinguish what constitutes a confined space; key terminology; as well as understand the regulations and legislative requirements governing entering and working in and around confined spaces. Participants will identify hazards and emergencies as well as implement appropriate control measures; conduct risk assessments and apply for a confined space entry permit. This course set also covers the skills and knowledge required to conduct pre-donning checks and tests on breathing apparatus, operate and maintain breathing apparatus and equipment in an irrespirable atmosphere, and conclude operations as defined by the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment. 

Students will demonstrate how to enter, exit and work safely in a confined space according to an issued permit for two scenarios. Participants will also inspect and select appropriate personal protective gear; operate various confined space safety equipment including atmospheric testing/monitoring devices; and conduct routine servicing of all equipment and gear. Concluding operations will include correctly closing down, removing and cleaning the breathing apparatus and reporting faults and/or damage to breathing apparatus.

Units Delivered

The following units will be included in your certificate:

Course Delivery

This course can be delivered/assessed in the workplace or at facility organised by the training provider.

Course Durations

Course durations can vary for multiple reasons, so the durations below are the minimum possible amount.

Refresher Face to Face contact time of at least 5 Hours
Face-to-Face Face to Face contact time of at least 9 Hours

An individual undertaking this course will need to demonstrate the following to be eligible for entry:

  • Participants must be clean shaven to attend the course. The unit of competency states that participants “Don the apparatus in accordance with workplace procedures and the manufacturer’s specifications.” The manufacturer’s specifications state: “The sealing line between head and facepiece must be free of hair and foreign substances which could cause leakages”. 
  • Psychological* and physical capability to be able to meet the demands of the practical demonstrations for this course, such as the undertaking of the requirements to safely enter, work in and exit a confined space wearing appropriate PPE as well as breathing apparatus and associated equipment in a range of conditions. This may involve climbing up, down, through or under structures or confined spaces, being temporarily suspended, wearing harnesses and other relevant PPE, dragging and lifting in confined and restricted environments in dark, low light or smoke-filled areas.
  • Protective footwear/safety shoes and comfortable/practical clothing must be provided by the student and worn during the practical sessions and assessment
  • Language, literacy and numeracy requirements - students must be able to read and correctly interpret required documentation relevant to the confined space entry, speak clearly and unambiguously in English, explain, describe and verify sometimes complex needs and issues and understand the permit requirements. Writing is required to the level of completing workplace forms and producing any required reports. Numeracy is required to the level of being able to correctly differentiate between high and low pressures and temperatures, voltages or masses and interpret gas test/monitoring results as well as determine the available working time from a breathing apparatus set.


*Safe Work Australia notes “Working in a confined space may impose physiological and psychological demands over and above those encountered in a normal working environment. Consideration should be given to a worker’s:

  • physical ability;
  • ability to work in a restrictive space (for example claustrophobia) and ability to wear the PPE required to do the work (for example respirators).” 

Code of Practice - Confined Spaces, December 2011

Individuals undertaking this course will be expected to complete both written and practical assessment tasks.

The units have the following recommended renewal periods:
Unit Period
RIIWHS202E - Enter and work in confined spaces Not applicable
MSMWHS216 - Operate breathing apparatus Not applicable

Please note that enrolment to this course is made with Allens Training Pty Ltd RTO 90909. Please refer to the student handbook located on the RTO website allenstraining.com.au (https://allenstraining.com.au/students/student-handbook) for all details relating to rights and responsibilities including complaints and appeals.

Performance tasks:

  • Horizontal and vertical entry into confined space
  • Use atmospheric monitoring devices prior to entering the confined space  
  • Demonstrate pre-donning checks, tests procedures and fault reporting
  • Demonstrate concluding operation techniques
  • Label the components of breathing apparatus
  • Demonstrate consistency in performance over time in a range of actual or simulated environments

Documentation:

  • Completion of two site-based Risk Assessment forms and Confined space entry permits
  • Completion of an Equipment Fault log  

Theory assessment – A written assessment consisting of multiple-choice and short answer questions. The student must complete all assessment questions.

This course is delivered and assessed on behalf of Allens Training Pty Ltd RTO 90909