RIIWHS202E

Enter and Work in Confined Spaces

Nationally Recognised Certificate
Fast Certificate Turnaround
Experienced and Certified Instructors
Flexible Learning Options
Industry Validated

Course Description

The unit RIIWHS202E – Enter and Work in Confined Spaces – provides students with the skills and knowledge required to safely enter and work in confined spaces across various industries. Confined spaces, such as tanks, silos, pits, and pipelines, pose significant hazards, making this unit essential for individuals in sectors like construction, mining, utilities, and manufacturing, where confined space work is a routine requirement.

Throughout this course, students will learn how to identify confined spaces, assess potential risks, and follow safety procedures to minimise hazards such as restricted airflow, toxic atmospheres, or limited escape routes. The training covers the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), atmospheric testing, and the implementation of emergency response procedures. Students will also be instructed on safe entry and exit techniques, maintaining effective communication, and ensuring compliance with workplace health and safety regulations.

This unit is ideal for workers, supervisors, and safety personnel involved in tasks requiring entry into confined spaces. It provides practical and theoretical training to ensure that workers can safely perform tasks while minimising risks to themselves and others.

Upon completing RIIWHS202E, students will be fully prepared to work confidently and safely in confined spaces, following best practices and regulatory requirements to ensure a secure work environment.

Units Delivered

Cost: $280.00

RIIWHS202E - Enter and work in confined spaces

Additional Information

Course Delivery

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

Entry Requirements

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

An official form of photo identification (e.g., driver’s licence, passport, or student ID),
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. This may involve climbing up, down, through or under structures or confined spaces, being 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.
To successfully complete this course, students will need to demonstrate the following language, literacy, numeracy and digital (LLND) skills during training and assessment:
- Learning: Follow clear instructions, ask questions if I’m unsure, and take steps to keep myself and others safe while working.
- Reading: Read and understand basic workplace procedures, safety rules, and simple work instructions.
- Writing: Write down basic information or fill in simple forms when needed.
- Oral communication: Use different methods (like speaking, radios, or signals) to share clear information and check understanding with others.
- Numeracy: Use numbers to understand things like time, size, or levels.
- Digital Literacy: Able to use a mobile phone or basic device to read messages, follow online instructions, complete online forms or access learning resources

*Safe Work Australia notes “Working in a confined space may impose additional physiological 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)
ability to wear the PPE required to do the work (for example respirators).

Confined spaces can also give rise to psychosocial hazards such as:

high job demands (e.g. high levels of physical, mental or emotional effort are needed to do the job)
low job control (e.g. workers unable to limit where they are required to work in a restrictive space)
poor physical environments (e.g. performing hazardous work, doing demanding work while wearing uncomfortable PPE, conditions that affect concentration or are unpleasant), and
remote or isolated work (e.g. significant delays to entering or exiting the space, or difficulty getting help in an emergency).”

SWA Code of Practice Confined Spaces November 2024

Online learning: Students must have basic digital literacy skills to navigate online platforms, complete assessments, and access course materials. Before enrolment, students should assess their ability to engage in online learning. Support is available where required. The online learning program can be found in the student portal. Students must have access to a computer, smart phone, tablet or other electronic device with access to the internet to complete the online studies and associated assessment tasks.

Delivery mode: Online with face-to-face - The online pre-course learning and theory assessment is expected to take approximately 3-4 hours to complete. These timeframes are estimates. Individuals with prior experience in similar training may complete the online component in less time, while those new to the subject may need more time to complete all the learning content and theory questions.

Assessment Activities

Performance tasks:

Enter and work in confined spaces, including:
- Horizontal entry into a confined space
- Vertical entry into a confined space

Documentation: The student must complete all documentation according to the required standard:

Two (2) Job Safety Environmental Analysis (JSEA)/ Safe Work Methods Statement (SWMS) forms  
Two (2) Confined space entry permits

Theory assessment:

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