Target Groups

The Hazardous Atmosphere and Confined Space Testing (HAACSAT) training course assured by City & Guilds, has been developed for use across all types of industry.

The atmosphere testing role is crucial to the safety of all staff. Whether it be for testing a confined space, testing an area to allow hot work to take place, carrying out fire watch or standby roles, or controlling permits. This Hazardous Atmosphere and Confined Space Testing course have been designed to ensure understanding of the possible hazards and how to overcome them, through the correct use of knowledge and equipment.

The aim of the course is to provide delegates with the underpinning knowledge for:

• How to assess, test, remove and continually monitor atmosphere hazards within confined spaces to ensure safety.
• How to assess, test, remove and continually monitor atmosphere hazards when hot work or breaking containment is to take place.
• The correct procedures when carrying out fire watch or standby duties.
• Documentation, roles & responsibilities, and the correct actions to take.

Delegate Prior Achievement

There are no delegate pre-requisites for attendance on this course.

Physical & Stressful Demands of the Courses

All personnel who participate in gas testing training should be medically fit and capable of participating fully. The responsibility for the individual completing the course, without any adverse effects to their present state of health, lies with the delegate and/or the company sponsoring the delegate.

Performance Validations

Delegates are required to complete an assessment at the end of each module, with a minimum pass mark.

Once the training has taken place and a successful pass mark has been achieved, a suitably qualified assessor must carry out an on-site assessment to verify competence before the delegates are approved to complete the role.

Modules Summary and Training Outcomes

During the initial training programme, delegates will gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a Hazardous Atmosphere Tester.

The HAACSAT course is set out in the following sections, with associated learning outcomes:

Safe Working

Delegates will have an understanding of:

• The principles of legislation
• Risk assessment and safe systems of work
• Use of permission to work systems
• The correct selection and use of PPE and RPE

Atmosphere Hazards

Delegates will have an understanding of:

• Acceptable levels of oxygen
• Gas composition
• Toxic substances and atmospheres
• Flammable substances and their effects
• Acceptable levels of flammable and toxic substances

Confined Space

Delegates will have an understanding of:

• The definition of a confined space
• Safe system of work with confined spaces
• Testing and retesting of confined spaces
• Monitoring of confined spaces
• The responsibilities of standby persons

Hot Work and Breaking Containment

Delegates will have an understanding of:

• The definition of hot work
• Test boundaries
• Safe system of work with hot work
• The responsibilities of a fire watcher
• How the environment can impact the work area

Sensor Technology

Delegates will have an understanding of:

• Sensor design and functionality
• Detection for flammable substances in inert atmospheres
• The correct selection of sensors
• Sensor limitations
• BUMP testing and calibration

Use of Equipment

Delegates will have an understanding of:

• Selection of detection equipment
• Pre-use Checks
• Identification of faulty or defective equipment
• Functionality of detection equipment
• Limitations on detection equipment
• The difference between pumped and natural diffusion

Certificate Validation

On completion of the Hazardous Atmosphere and Confined Space Atmosphere Testing (HAACSAT) training course, a certificate will be issued. The certificate is valid for three years. If delegates return for refresher training within the three-year period, they can attend the one-day refresher course.