Confined Space Training Certificate PPE and Breathing Apparatus 2

Question 1

Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended), employers must ensure that PPE for confined space work is:

Accepted Answer

Properly assessed, compatible with other PPE, maintained, stored correctly, and provided with training on its use

Answer

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:

Accepted Answer

Reduced, which must be considered in the risk assessment and may affect the ability to navigate and identify hazards

Answer

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:

Accepted Answer

Type 1 gas-tight suit with integrated SCBA, fully encapsulating the wearer

Answer

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:

Accepted Answer

Checking cylinder pressure, testing the faceseal, checking the demand valve, verifying the low-pressure warning whistle, and confirming the harness fit

Answer

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:

Accepted Answer

Be trained in its correct use, limitations, and maintenance, and be face-fit tested for tight-fitting facepieces

Answer

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.

Confined Space Practice Test

Confined Space Practice Test

Confined Space Training Certificate PPE and Breathing Apparatus 2