While one-day confined space training prepares workers to safely enter and work in confined spaces, acting as a standby person requires additional responsibilities and higher-level training. Standby persons’ education must address all criteria specified in Work Health and Safety Regulations (details of which we provide further down this page), with the level of training proportional to the identified risks of the specific confined spaces.
Taking chances isn’t worth it – ensure you provide adequate and obligatory workplace training.
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Confined Space Standby Person Training Options
Sydney Safety Training offers two confined space training courses that will cover your confined space standby person obligations.
Confined Space 2-Day Course – GAS TEST & ISSUE PERMITS
Ideal where your risk assessment indicates you have a low level of risk while working in confined spaces at your workplace.
Units covered:
RIIRIS201B Conduct local risk control
MSAPMPER200C Work in accordance with an issued permit
RIIWHS202D Enter and work in confined spaces
MSAPMOHS217A Gas test atmospheres
MSAPMPER300C Issue work permits
PRMPFES05B Use of portable firefighting equipment
Discover the Confined Space Gas Test Course
Confined Space 3-Day Course – RESCUE/STANDBY
Recommended where the levels of risk are high and rescue may require entry wearing some form of respiratory protection.
Units covered:
RIIRIS201B Conduct local risk control
MSAPMPER200C Work in accordance with an issued permit
RIIWHS202D Enter and work in confined spaces
MSAPMOHS217A Gas test atmospheres
MSAPMPER300C Issue work permits
PRMPFES05B Use of portable firefighting equipment
MSAPMOHS216A Operate breathing apparatus (Work/Rescue)
PUASAR025A Undertake confined space rescue (Rescue)
HLTAID001 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
MSAPMPER202A Observe permit work (Standby)
Discover the 3-Day Confined Space Course
If you are unsure of the level of training your staff require, we suggest selecting the Confined Space 3 Day Course.
Confined Space Standby Person Responsibilities
In all situations, a stand-by person/attendant must be posted outside the confined space when work is underway. They must remain on duty throughout the entry process, unless relieved by another person of equivalent experience and training. This individual should be provided with the same level of protection worn by those within the confined space so that they can look into the standby safety vessel also.
The responsibilities of a standby man also include:
- Maintaining an accurate count of all persons within the confined space.
- Monitoring activities inside and outside the confined space to determine whether it remains safe for the entrants to remain inside the confined space.
- Being competent in gas detection procedures and protocols to ensure the safety of workers in the space if required.
- Enforcing the confined space permit and complying with its control measures including the rescue plan.
- Maintaining effective and continuous contact with ALL the people working inside the space using radio, agreed hand signals, horn lights etc.
- Preventing entry of unauthorised persons into the confined space.
- Ordering evacuation of the confined space if necessary.
- Initiating the rescue plan and notifying emergency services.
- Supervising the rescue without entering the confined space.
- Attempting to remove the entrants from the confined space using tripods, hoists and lifelines. However, they must NEVER enter the confined space. Only properly trained and equipped emergency rescue personnel may enter the confined space to make a rescue. Remember – over 60% of workers who die in confined spaces are would-be rescuers.
General Principles of Confined Space Work
If a safe alternative to working within a confined space cannot be found, the following steps must be taken before entry:
- Conduct a risk assessment.
- Obtain entry and work permits.
- Use lock-out and tag-out systems to isolate all forms of energy.
- Isolate the area and post warning signs.
- Check all Personal Protective Equipment and Respiratory Protective Equipment.
- Ensure safety equipment is onsite, checked and ready for use.
- Purge/ventilate the confined space (purging can be accomplished using steam, water, inert gas or air).
- Test the atmosphere for harmful gases/vapours with a gas detection device where required.
- Ensure stand-by persons are present.
- Ensure an emergency response plan, including planned exit routes confined space standby rescue team and emergency services are in place and rehearsed.
Workplace Health & Safety Regulations for a Standby Person
69 Communication and Safety Monitoring
A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure that a worker does not enter a confined space to carry out work unless the person provides a system of work that includes:
(a) continuous communication with the worker from outside the space; and
(b) monitoring of conditions within the space by a standby person who is in the vicinity of the space and, if practicable, observing the work being carried out.
Maximum penalty:
In the case of an individual—$6 000. In the case of a body corporate—$30,000
74 Emergency Procedures
(1) A person conducting a business or undertaking must:
(a) establish first aid procedures and rescue procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency in a confined space; and
(b) ensure that the procedures are practised as necessary to ensure that they are efficient and effective.
Maximum penalty:
In the case of an individual—$6 000. In the case of a body corporate—$30,000.
(2) The person must ensure that first aid and rescue procedures are initiated from outside the confined space as soon as practicable in an emergency.
Maximum penalty:
In the case of an individual—$6 000. In the case of a body corporate—$30,000.
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What Is a Confined Space Standby Person?
A Confined Space Standby Person is a critical role. Sometimes called an attendant or observer, it refers to a specially trained worker who remains outside a confined space while others are working inside.
What Is the Role of a Standby Person for Confined Spaces?
The Standby Person’s primary responsibility is to monitor workplace conditions, maintain continuous communication with those inside, and initiate emergency procedures if and when required.
Can Someone Be Both an Entrant and a Standby Person During the Same Job?
No, a standby person must never enter the space, and this is explicitly prohibited under Australian Work Health and Safety regulations. The very nature of their role demands that they remain outside the confined space so they can effectively fulfil their role and obligations.
How Frequently Does Standby Person Training Need to Be Refreshed in Australia?
Whilst there is no mandated set time for refreshing Standby Person training in Australia, we recommend doing so every two years. Safe Work Australia recommends regular training to ensure valid and up-to-date competency.
Is an Authorised Entrant and Standby Person the Same Thing?
No, these are two distinctly different roles and sets of responsibilities. An authorised entrant has undergone specialist training to enter a designated risk space. A standby person must remain outside this area of risk so they can communicate with persons within and initiate emergency procedures if required.