The RIIWHS202E (Enter and Work in Confined Spaces) and MSMWHS217 (Gas Test Atmospheres) course is a nationally accredited, often one-day, training program covering essential safety procedures for high-risk environments. It teaches workers to identify hazards, perform risk assessments, use safety equipment, and conduct atmospheric testing in sectors like mining, construction, and manufacturing.
This course can be delivered/assessed in the facility organised by the training provider.
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
Online with face-to-face assessment Face to Face contact time of at least 4 HoursAn individual undertaking this course will need to demonstrate the following to be eligible for entry:
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 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.
*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).”Individuals undertaking this course will be expected to complete both written and practical assessment tasks.
Performance tasks:
- Perform a horizontal and a vertical entry into a confined space
- Confirm the scope and location of the work to be conducted
- Identify and raise the type of work permit required
- Prepare for permitted work
- Identify hazards and check hazard controls specified on the permit are consistent with the hazard analysis
- Use atmospheric monitoring devices prior to entering the confined space
Interpret readings and take required action
Maintain testing and monitoring equipment
- Monitor work for compliance and respond appropriately to changing conditions and circumstances
- Seek variation to permit/ new permit if job or work environment vary from that specified in the permit
- Formally see and receive authorised extensions to the permit when required
- Identify and act on incidences of non-compliance and report promptly to relevant personnel
- Withdraw/cancel permit if conditions warrant it
- Provide an end-of-day status report
- Check the work conducted against the issued permit to ensure that all nominated work requirements have been satisfied
- Demonstrate concluding operation techniques
Documentation – The student must complete all documentation according to the required standard:
Complete two Job Safety
Environmental Analysis (JSEA)/
Safe Work Methods Statement (SWMS) forms
Apply for and obtain a Confined space entry permit for both scenarios
– horizontal and vertical entry
Record results from testing of atmosphere
Complete work permit documentation
Theory assessment - A written assessment consisting of short-answer and multiple-choice questions. The student must complete all assessment questions.Renewal for RIIWHS202E (Enter and Work in Confined Spaces) and MSMWHS217 (Gas Test Atmospheres) is recommended every 2–3 years to maintain industry compliance.
