Confined Space Training Certificate PPE and Breathing Apparatus 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended), employers must ensure that PPE for confined space work is:
- Available somewhere on site for workers to find themselves
- Properly assessed, compatible with other PPE, maintained, stored correctly, and provided with training on its use (Correct answer)
- Replaced only when it is visibly damaged
- The cheapest option available that meets minimum standards
Correct answer: Properly assessed, compatible with other PPE, maintained, stored correctly, and provided with training on its use
The PPE Regulations require employers to: assess the suitability of PPE, ensure compatibility when multiple items are worn together, maintain and store PPE properly, replace it when necessary, provide training and information on its use, and ensure it is used correctly. For confined spaces, compatibility is critical — e.g., a harness must work with breathing apparatus.
Question 2: When wearing a full-face SCBA set in a confined space, a wearer's field of vision is typically:
- Completely unaffected
- Reduced, which must be considered in the risk assessment and may affect the ability to navigate and identify hazards (Correct answer)
- Improved by the magnifying effect of the visor
- Only affected if the visor becomes fogged
Correct answer: Reduced, which must be considered in the risk assessment and may affect the ability to navigate and identify hazards
Full-face breathing apparatus significantly reduces peripheral vision. This must be factored into the risk assessment — workers may not see hazards to their side or below, trip hazards become harder to spot, and navigation in unfamiliar spaces is more difficult. Practice and familiarity with the equipment help mitigate this limitation.
Question 3: A gas-tight chemical suit used in a confined space entry classified as IDLH should be:
- Type 6 splash-resistant coverall
- Type 1 gas-tight suit with integrated SCBA, fully encapsulating the wearer (Correct answer)
- Any standard boiler suit with rubber gloves
- A Type 5 dry particulate suit
Correct answer: Type 1 gas-tight suit with integrated SCBA, fully encapsulating the wearer
For IDLH atmospheres, the highest level of protection is required. A Type 1 gas-tight suit (to EN 943-1) provides complete encapsulation with no gaps for gas ingress. The SCBA is worn inside the suit. This ensures the wearer is fully isolated from the hazardous atmosphere. Lower-level suits do not provide adequate protection against gas penetration.
Question 4: Pre-use checks on breathing apparatus before confined space entry should include:
- Only checking the cylinder pressure gauge
- Checking cylinder pressure, testing the faceseal, checking the demand valve, verifying the low-pressure warning whistle, and confirming the harness fit (Correct answer)
- Weighing the cylinder to check it is full
- A visual inspection of the carrying case only
Correct answer: Checking cylinder pressure, testing the faceseal, checking the demand valve, verifying the low-pressure warning whistle, and confirming the harness fit
A thorough pre-use check covers: cylinder contents (pressure gauge reading), facepiece condition and seal (negative pressure test), demand valve operation (first breath test), low-pressure warning alarm function, harness adjustment and comfort, and all connections secure. Any fault means the set must not be used until repaired or replaced.
Question 5: Workers who are required to use respiratory protective equipment (RPE) for confined space work must:
- Simply read the manufacturer's leaflet
- Be trained in its correct use, limitations, and maintenance, and be face-fit tested for tight-fitting facepieces (Correct answer)
- Have at least two years of experience wearing RPE
- Only need training if they have never worn a mask before
Correct answer: Be trained in its correct use, limitations, and maintenance, and be face-fit tested for tight-fitting facepieces
Training must cover: correct donning and doffing procedures, checking for proper fit and seal, understanding the limitations of the equipment, recognising when filters or cylinders need changing, proper storage and maintenance, and emergency procedures if the RPE fails. Face-fit testing is mandatory for all tight-fitting facepieces.
Question 6: Hard hats worn during confined space entry must be selected considering:
- Only the colour preference of the worker
- The specific hazards present such as falling objects, head strikes on low features, and compatibility with other PPE such as breathing apparatus and hearing protection (Correct answer)
- Only whether the space is underground or above ground
- Their cost relative to the project budget
Correct answer: The specific hazards present such as falling objects, head strikes on low features, and compatibility with other PPE such as breathing apparatus and hearing protection
Hard hat selection must consider: risk of falling objects, low headroom causing head strikes, compatibility with breathing apparatus (some helmets interfere with SCBA faceseals), compatibility with hearing protection and communication equipment, chin strap requirement for climbing or working at angles, and whether an integrated lamp bracket is needed.
Confined Space Training Certificate PPE and Breathing Apparatus 2
Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended), employers must ensure that PPE for confined space work is: