City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Control Entry and Arrangements for Confined Spaces (High Risk)

This course is a Level 3 Award (City & Guilds 6160-04) focused on the control of entry into high-risk confined spaces. It prepares candidates to act as an Entry Controller (often called the “Top Person”) who supervises and coordinates confined space entry operations without entering the space themselves.

The qualification is aligned with national occupational standards for confined space safety and is part of the Water Industry Standard training scheme. It is formally endorsed by industry bodies (e.g. Energy & Utility Skills) to ensure consistent, nationally accepted training quality.

This course is designed for individuals responsible for controlling or supervising work in confined spaces. It is especially relevant for:

• Supervisors or Managers overseeing teams working in confined spaces, who need to ensure proper entry procedures and safety measures are in place.
• Designated Entry Controllers/Top Persons – personnel assigned to control entry and exit arrangements for confined space jobs (this role manages permits and monitors safety from outside the space)
• Safety Professionals and Experienced Operatives seeking to enhance their knowledge of high-risk confined space entry protocols without actually entering the confined space.

Anyone who will fulfil the “top person” duties during confined space operations would benefit from this qualification. It is often a requirement in industries such as water utilities, sewage, manufacturing, construction, and petrochemicals where confined spaces are encountered.

What can I expect from the City & Guilds Level 3 High Risk Entry Controller course?

Participants can expect a mix of classroom theory and practical training exercises covering all aspects of safe entry control for confined spaces. Key learning objectives and topics include

• Implementing Safe Work Procedures: Learn how to establish and enforce procedures for teams working in confined spaces to meet legal and safety requirements.
• Controlling Entry and Exit: Gain the ability to control safe entry into, and exit from, the confined space, including permit systems and isolation of hazards.
• Monitoring the Work Team: Develop skills to continuously monitor entrants from outside, ensuring they follow safety protocols and using effective communication systems.
• Emergency Management: Learn to initiate and control emergency procedures, including raising alarms and coordinating rescue efforts if an incident occurs.
• Legislation and Standards: Understand relevant health and safety legislation and environmental regulations related to confined space work, and how they inform standard operating protocols.
• Entry Controller Duties: Understand the specific responsibilities of the Entry Controller/Top Person, such as pre-entry checks, maintaining entrant logs, and controlling atmospheric testing results.
• Equipment Checks and Testing: Learn to verify that all necessary safety equipment (e.g. gas detectors, ventilation, harnesses and rescue devices) is in place, tested, and functioning correctly before and during entry operations.

Throughout the course, learners will engage in scenario-based training that simulates high-risk confined space situations. By the end, they should be confident in implementing control measures and responding to any issues that arise during confined space work.

Because of the high-risk nature of this training, there are important entry requirements and recommendations to ensure participants’ safety and ability to complete the course:

• Medical Fitness: Participants must be medically fit and in good health to undertake confined space training. You may be asked to complete a medical questionnaire or self-certify your fitness at the start of the course. Any conditions that could impede safe performance (such as serious heart or respiratory issues) should be disclosed.
• Physical Ability: The role of an Entry Controller can be physically demanding. Candidates should be able to wear the necessary personal protective equipment (such as a harness and possibly breathing apparatus). Being clean shaven may be required if breathing apparatus masks are used, to ensure a proper face seal.
• Language Skills: A good understanding of English is important, as the course instruction, materials, and assessments are conducted in English.

No specific prior certification is mandated to enrol in this Level 3 course. However, it is strongly recommended that learners have some prior experience or training in confined space work (for example, a Level 2 confined space entry qualification or relevant on-site experience), since this course builds on practical knowledge of confined space hazards and procedures.

To achieve the Level 3 Award, learners must successfully complete both practical and theoretical assessments, which typically include:

• Practical Assessment: Each candidate must perform the duties of an Entry Controller during a simulated high-risk confined space entry. This involves setting up entry controls, briefing the entrants, monitoring a team working in a training confined space, and handling an emergency drill. An assessor will directly observe and evaluate the candidate’s ability to implement procedures and maintain control of the situation
• Written Examination: Learners also sit a written exam to test their knowledge of confined space regulations, protocols, and best practices. This test may consist of multiple-choice and/or short-answer questions covering the course topics (such as hazard identification, ventilation requirements, gas monitoring, rescue plans, etc.)

Both parts of the assessment must be passed. 

Upon successful completion of the training and assessments, candidates are awarded the City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Control Entry and Arrangements for Confined Spaces (High Risk) qualification. An official City & Guilds certificate will be issued, recognizing the individual’s competence in this role.