Confined Space Operations
Pro Board® Accredited / 24 hours
The Confined Space Operations course is a three-day, participant-centered, instructor-led training program. This program is intended to provide participants with basic information for confined space responses plus hands-on practice using their department’s rescue equipment. Topics include confined space regulations and standards, PPE, monitoring and detection devices, ventilation techniques and retrieval systems.
During this course, participants learn how pre-incident planning can help responders prepare for confined space rescue incidents and how to conduct a pre-plan. Case histories are included to illustrate hazards and hazard control; hands-on demonstrations are included to help teach specific rescue skills using ventilation equipment, rescue equipment, as well as isolation and decontamination techniques.
Course Goal
The course goal is to educate emergency responders about strategies to safeguard health and safety when their work involves entering confined spaces for rescue operations in accordance with:
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146, Permit-Required Confined Spaces
- National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) 1670: Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, Chapter 7: Confined Space Search and Rescue
- NFPA® 1006: Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualification, Chapter 7: Confined Space Rescue
Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to perform the following at confined space rescue incidents:
- Discuss confined space regulations
- Perform pre-incident planning as well as discuss the importance of pre-incident planning
- Monitor hazardous atmospheres
- Discuss the health and safety issues related to the hazards of confined spaces (e.g., toxic, flammable, asphyxiating atmospheres)
- Use ventilation devices, rescue equipment and personal protective equipment
- Perform procedures for basic rescue, communication and decontamination in a confined space rescue
- Use basic retrieval systems including ropes, rescue systems and lowering systems
- Using SCBA’s perform a rescue of a victim under NFPA 1006 standard for Operations
Prerequisites
The Confined Space Operations web-based training course (Confined Space Introduction) is designed as a prerequisite for the Confined Space Operations instructor-led course. This introductory course covers the regulations that govern confined spaces and permit-required confined spaces. It will cover the definition of confined spaces and the inherent hazards, in addition, it will cover in detail Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations Part 1910.146 – Permit-Required Confined Spaces.
To attend the Confined Space Operations instructor-led course you must successfully complete this course with at least a 70% on the post-test.
Performance Measures
Participants must demonstrate mastery of the course objectives by completing the post-test, hands-on skills practice, and one or more simulated practical exercises. The post-test includes 50 multiple choice items.
Certification
Once a participant completes the course, including the performance (skills) evaluation, and scores above 70% on the written exam, they will receive an IAFF certificate with a Pro Board® seal. The IAFF will then submit the participant’s name to the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board® registry) for certification at the Confined Space Awareness and Operations levels. Pro Board® certification holds:
- Recognition for demonstrating proficiency
- A permanent record of the accomplishment
- Transferability/portability of qualifications, as reciprocity means Pro Board® certification will be recognized by fire departments nationwide.