Online Confined Space Training Program
Fundamentals of Confined Spaces and Hazard Awareness
An Introduction to Confined Spaces: Understanding Hazards and Safe Management Practices
Confined spaces present some of the most critical hazardous workplaces, leading to numerous injuries and fatalities each year. To combat these risks, comprehensive training in Fundamentals of Confined Spaces and Hazard Awareness is absolutely essential.
General Information:
A part of many workplaces, confined spaces can be a challenge due the high level of risk when working inside a confined space. From manholes to hydro vaults, tanks and process vessels - if your job requires you to work in a classified confined space as per Regulation 632/05 of the Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA), you benefit from our Fundamentals of Confined Spaces and Hazard Awareness.
What Is a Confined Space?
The definition of a “confined space” in Ontario involves enclosed spaces - partially or fully - that can be found in factories, ship-holds, farms, powerplants, and more. However, not every such space qualifies. Only those that fulfil both of the following conditions are considered to be confined spaces:
- A space that is not designed and constructed for continuous human occupancy
- A space in which atmospheric hazards may occur because of its construction, location, contents or because of work that is done in it.
Confined spaces could take many forms including sewers, hydro vaults, wells, mixing tanks, and storage tanks. That said, employers must use the above preconditions to designate a spot as “confined space” after performing a thorough evaluation.
Not designed and constructed for continuous human occupancy | Atmospheric hazard may be present or form during work | Is it a Confined Space? |
NO | NO | NO |
YES | NO | NO |
NO | YES | NO |
YES | YES | YES |
Why Confined Space Training Is Critical
Commonly found on construction sites and in industrial facilities, confined spaces can pose a serious risk to worker safety. Their poor ventilation and possibly hazardous atmosphere can harm worker health in more ways than one.
Without proper confined space safety training, workers may fail to identify potentially deadly hazards such as engulfment risks, toxic gases and oxygen deficiency. Moreover, OHSA’s Regulation 632/05 Confined Spaces deems it mandatory for employers to provide their workers with confined space awareness training (at a minimum) if their job involves working in such spaces. Our comprehensive Fundamentals of Confined Spaces and Hazard Awareness training is essential for:
- Recognizing hazards
- Planning for safe working conditions
- Worker protection
- Legal compliance
Who Needs Confined Space Training?
Individuals with the following job roles would benefit from training:
- Workers performing tasks inside confined spaces
- Supervisors overseeing work in confined spaces
- Confined space rescue personnel
- Attendants monitoring workers who are inside a confined space
- Workers performing tasks that support the work inside a confined space
- Firewatch attendant assigned to monitor hot work in or on a confined space
- Permit issuers providing documentation and approvals for confined spaces
- Safety coordinators involved in developing confined space programs
- Contractors working on projects with confined spaces
- Maintenance and repair personnel
- Engineers and inspectors involved in evaluating confined spaces
Training assists workers in assuring their personal safety and the safety of others.
View an Online CONFINED SPACE Training demo
Act First Safety’s Fundamentals of Confined Spaces and Hazard Awareness safety training program has been carefully developed in compliance with OHSA’s Regulation 632/05 Confined Spaces to reduce employer liability and ensure worker safety. This course’s content applies to anyone whose job involves working in or around spaces that have not been designed for prolonged human use.
Course Outline
What You’ll Learn
Learning about the potential dangers of working in such restrictive environments as well as the necessary precautions you should take to avoid the associated risks is just part of what our course will teach you. Here’s more:
- The characteristics of confined spaces
- Atmospheric hazard assessment requirements
- Hazard testing requirements
- Hazard control practices
- Roles and responsibilities
- Emergency preparedness requirements
- Relevant personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Entry permits and record keeping
Our confined spaces certification program will equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate your way through challenging work environments.
Rescue Procedures and Emergency Planning
This course introduces participants to the hazards of confined spaces and safe work practices, including the need for rescue planning. It is an unfortunate truth that the majority of fatalities in confined spaces are “would be” rescuers; workers who are not trained or equipped to perform rescue. While the elements of rescue planning are discussed in this training course, we highly recommend that anyone who will be involved in actual rescue operations receive proper confined space rescue training in order to meet Ontario’s regulatory requirements and to ensure the safety of the rescuers and workers.
Course Format & Duration
Conducted as a half-day, interactive, instructor-led program at your location or our facility, this course is designed to raise participant awareness of confined space entry requirements. While it doesn't include a practical component, it covers the essential knowledge needed before workers enter a worksite-specific confined space.
By completing our confined spaces safety training, you are eligible to receive:
- A wallet-sized certificate to prove compliance
- A course booklet to revisit learning
- A valid Record of Training (ROT) – private sessions only
- Three-year validity
Ontario Regulatory Compliance
Under the OHSA, Regulation 632/05 Confined Spaces, employers are required by law to implement a confined space safety program. To learn more about the Occupational Health and Safety Act’s mandates on confined spaces, check out the following:
- Regulation 632/05 Confined Spaces
- MOL Guideline to Working in Confined Spaces
1. How often should confined spaces training be refreshed?
For workplaces that are not a project, workers must undergo an annual review of training. This is also required when circumstances change in the workplace or when the job may affect the safety of the workers on the worksite. If deficiencies in workers’ knowledge on confined spaces are identified, employers must ensure workers are adequately retrained. Frequency of retraining may be determined by the employer. Our training course record of training comes with a validity period of no more than 3 years before retraining is required in order to ensure workers are kept up to date on changes to regulations, technology and equipment.
For workplaces that are a project, there is no requirement for annual review of training content with workers; however, regularly reviewing safe work practices with workers is a proven method to improve retention of information and to identify deficiencies in worker knowledge.
2. Is rescue training for confined spaces a part of this course?
No. This is a course on the fundamentals of confined space work. To meet the requirements of O.Reg 632/05 Confined Spaces, rescue personnel must receive training in:
- First aid and CPR
- On-site rescue procedures
- The use of rescue equipment in accordance with the relevant plan
It is critical that rescue personnel be adequately trained to perform rescue and equipped with the personal protective equipment (PPE) and tools needed to conduct a rescue safely. Lack of emergency preparedness and lack of training in rescue has led to high fatality rates for workers attempting to perform rescue.
3. Can we combine this training with other safety programs?
Yes. Call us or inquire and we will coordinate your training with you. Complementary training programs include:
- WHMIS
- Lockout Tagout
- Respirator Fit Testing
- Hoisting and Rigging
4. Does this course meet the requirements of O.Reg 632/05 Confined Spaces?
Yes. Our course meets the requirement that workers be trained in the recognition of hazards associated with confined spaces and safe work practices for working in confined spaces and for performing related work. O.Reg 632/05 s. 8 and s.9.1 (workplaces that are a project).
5. Is this training available outside of Ontario?
Currently, our classroom Fundamentals of Confined Spaces and Hazard Awareness training is available within Ontario.
A general confined spaces awareness program is available online across Canada.
Why Choose Act First Safety?
We have designed our confined spaces training program to be a comprehensive session that packs in all the essentials in an easy-to-digest format. Choose our compliant training programs to enjoy:
- Over 20 years of expertise in the safety training industry
- Customizable programs conveniently delivered at your location
- Compliant courses that prevent legal liabilities
- Instructors with real-life experience
Book Your Confined Space Training Today
Keep your team safe in the most challenging spaces while maintaining compliance with our expert-led confined space training. Get tailored sessions, flexible scheduling and the option to book group slots!
Call us at 416.283.7233 or check out our Calendar to book now!
