The Water UK National Confined Spaces Competency Standards were introduced to standardise procedures throughout the water industry and to consistently assess competence levels of persons required to work in confined spaces and enable them to attain accreditation by City and Guilds.

The duration of these courses range from 1 to 3 days and are suitable for persons who work in or at a confined space. The training ranges from safe entry only through to the using of compressed air escape, re-breather and self-contained breathing apparatus, including separate courses for top man and supervisors.

Mines Rescue Service Ltd also offer confined space training courses which align with the requirements of the NEW Energy Utility Skills National Occupational Standard. These new standards deal with low, medium and high risk confined spaces across a wide range of industries and take into consideration factors such as the numbers of workers involved, the access and egress to and from the place of work, the type of work being performed and if movement away from the entry point is required. Each added difficulty requiring a higher level of training. There is a specialised course on the rescue and recovery of casualties from confined spaces.

Water Industry Classifications

• CITY AND GUILDS UNIT 821 - water uk classification NC1
• CITY AND GUILDS UNIT 822 - water uk classification NC2, NC3 and NC4 - Compressed air escape breathing apparatus
• CITY AND GUILDS UNIT 823 - Water UK Classification NC2, NC3 and NC4 - Oxygen re-breather escape breathing apparatus
• CITY AND GUILDS UNIT 824 - Water UK Classification NC2, NC3 and NC4 - Self contained breathing apparatus
• CITY AND GUILDS UNIT 825 - Top man safety attendant duties at Water UK Classification NC2, NC3 and NC4 category confined spaces
• CITY AND GUILDS UNIT 826 - Water UK Classification NC4 – Self contained breathing apparatus in hostile atmospheres