City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Working in High Risk Confined Spaces (Entrant)

This course is a City & Guilds Level 2 qualification focused on enabling workers to safely enter and operate in high-risk confined spaces. It is designed to meet the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for confined space work and ensure that learners can plan, manage, and carry out safe entry into hazardous enclosed environments.

Training covers both water-industry and non-water industry scenarios, including complex confined spaces classified as NC4 – the highest risk category, where special controls (such as use of breathing apparatus and detailed rescue plans) are required. The purpose of the course is to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills to comply with safety regulations and work safely in high-risk confined spaces without incident.

This qualification is ideal for individuals who work in or anticipate working in environments defined as high-risk confined spaces. It is particularly suited for:

• Confined Space Operatives: Personnel who must enter confined spaces with significant hazards (for example, sewers, tanks, utility vaults, or silos where toxic gases, flooding, or low oxygen may be present).
• Industry Workers Needing Certification: Employees in sectors such as water and wastewater utilities, petrochemicals, power generation, manufacturing, construction, and emergency services who are required to be certified competent in high-risk confined space entry.

Anyone responsible for or involved in high-risk confined space entries – from maintenance technicians to contractors – would benefit from this course to ensure they meet industry safety standards and legal requirements for confined space work.

What can I expect from the Level 2 Award in Working in High Risk Confined Spaces Course?

Participants can expect a comprehensive blend of classroom instruction and practical training over the duration of the course.

Key learning objectives and topics include:

• Preparation and Planning: How to prepare for work in a high-risk confined space, including risk assessment, permit-to-work systems, isolation of hazards, and establishing safe zones and communication plans.
• Safe Entry and Exit Procedures: Proper methods to enter and exit confined spaces safely, using appropriate access equipment (e.g. tripods, winches, ladders) and checks before entry (such as atmosphere testing and permit authorisation).
• Use of Equipment and Breathing Apparatus: Correct use of personal protective equipment and specialized safety tools, including gas detectors, ventilation equipment, harness and lifeline systems, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for entry and self-rescue. Trainees will learn pre-use checks, operation, and post-use care for all required gear.
• Working Safely Inside the Confined Space: Maintaining a safe working environment inside the space by following established work procedures and protocols. This involves continuous atmospheric monitoring, effective communication with attendant personnel, hazard awareness, and compliance with entry permits and method statements.
• Emergency Procedures and Rescue Planning: How to handle emergencies from inside a confined space. This covers recognising warning signs, initiating emergency evacuation, using escape breathing apparatus if needed, and assisting with or executing rescue protocols until rescue teams take over. Learners will understand how to put in place and enact rescue plans for high-risk scenarios.

Throughout the course, learners will be taught both the theoretical underpinnings (such as relevant regulations, dangers of confined spaces, and atmospheric science) and hands-on skills (such as donning breathing apparatus and performing entries) in realistic simulated conditions. By the end of the training, participants will be able to confidently follow safe systems of work and respond to any incidents in a high-risk confined space

There are no formal prerequisite qualifications required to enrol in this Level 2 confined space course – candidates do not need to have completed the lower risk (6160-01 or 6160-02) courses beforehand.

However, due to the nature of high-risk confined space work, there are important entry requirements and recommendations:

• Health and Fitness: A good standard of medical fitness is essential. Candidates must be medically fit to undertake confined space work, with no conditions that could pose a risk (such as serious respiratory or heart issues or claustrophobia). Most providers will require candidates to complete a medical questionnaire or self-certification declaring they are fit for confined space entry.
• PPE is Required: such as hard hat, protective gloves, overalls, Hi Vis and safety footwear, together with suitable clothing for climbing through confined spaces during the practical exercises, please ensure you bring this PPE with you and dress accordingly. 
• Delegates using breathing apparatus are required to be clean shaven.

Before the course begins, the training provider may issue joining instructions detailing any other requirements. It’s important that all participants meet the above conditions to ensure safety during the practical elements of the training.

The Level 2 Award in Working in High-Risk Confined Spaces is assessed through a combination of practical demonstration and written examination to verify both skills and knowledge. Specifically, candidates will undergo:

• Practical Assessment: Learners must perform a supervised entry into a simulated high-risk confined space (often an NC4-category scenario) under realistic conditions. During this exercise, instructors assess the candidate’s ability to follow procedures, use equipment correctly (such as gas testers, PPE, and breathing apparatus), and respond to an emergency appropriately.
• Written Test: Learners also sit a written exam, which is typically a short-answer or multiple-choice test covering the theory component. This exam is externally set by City & Guilds and internally marked.

Both parts of the assessment must be passed to successfully complete the qualification. 

Upon successful completion of the course (passing both the practical assessment and written exam), the learner will be awarded the City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Working in High Risk Confined Spaces (6160-03) qualification.