Confined Space Training FAQs
 

What is a Confined Space?
Legal definitions have various wordings, but essentially a confined space is:

Do I need a Confined Space Awareness Course?
If you have a confined space on-site, all workers should be trained in the hazards of confined spaces.

General training (such as this course) will cover the legislation, recognizing a confined space, recognizing the hazards and how they are assessed and the contents of an Entry Plan.

Additionally, all confined space training should include some hands-on training with the safety equipment including the personal protective equipment and safety harnesses. Workers with emergency rescue responsibilities will need training related to the rescue.
 

Who is responsible for ensuring that my employees are adequately trained?
Regardless of the source of training or how it is provided to workers, the employer has the duty to ensure it is adequate to protect the health and safety of the workers who work in or around the confined space.

It is up to the employer, in consultation with the Joint Health and Safety Committee or health and safety representative, if any, to determine the level and type of training provided, and to ensure it is adequate for the type of entry being conducted.
 

How often do I need a Confined Space Awareness Course?
General training must be given before anyone works with a confined space.  The training must be reviewed if there are any changes in the circumstances that may affect the safety of a worker or when provincial regulations require it. Ontario, for example, requires an annual review of a company's confined spaces training program.

Consult with your industry’s provincial safety association or Worker's Compensation Board for details on when re-certification is required.

Click here to see a list of all the provincial Confined Space Regulations.
 

How can we comply with the Regulations?
You need a written Confined Space Program that:

The written Hazard Assessment and Entry Plan, records of the training, and all Entry permits must be available for inspection by any interested party.
 

Who is responsible for confined space training?
The onus is on the employer to ensure that his or her staff is adequately trained. The responsibility to ensure workers are trained and the manner in which training is conducted rests with the employer.  YOW Canada’s Confined Space Awareness Course is one method of training.  Additional ‘hands-on’ training on the equipment and procedures to be used is also required for workers doing the entry.

What if we contract out the confined space work?
If your employees are not entering the space, the contractor is responsible for the training required, but you are still responsible for ensuring the regulations are being met. You must produce an Entry Plan, and ensure the work is being performed safely according to the Entry Plan. You must have a Co-ordination Document signed with the contractor that details everyone’s responsibilities.
 

What if more than one company is involved in the entry?
If employees of more than one company are entering the confined space, then the ‘lead employer’ (the employer contracting for the services of other employers or independent contractors) must prepare a co-ordination document that details the duties and responsibilities of each worker under the Entry Plan.
 

What needs to be included in a confined space training program?
Both general and site-specific training are required.

YOW’s Confined Space Awareness Online Course is general training that covers the legislation, how to recognize confined spaces, potential hazards and how they are assessed, the contents of an Entry Plan etc.

Practical Entry Plan specific training is also required to cover the particular equipment used to enter the confined space safely and the response procedures for any emergency in the confined space.
 

How is compliance with the Confined Space Regulations monitored?
Compliance activities relating to confined spaces are conducted by the provincial, territorial and federal agencies responsible for occupational health and safety (OHS). These OHS agencies conduct compliance programs for confined space training requirements established under their respective legislations.


What does the "YOW" in YOW Canada stand for?
YOW Canada’s offices are located in Ottawa, Ontario and Y-O-W are the international call letters for the Ottawa Airport. Plus, we think it’s a catchy name that’s easy to remember.
 

Can I take YOW's Confined Space Awareness course and then train my own workers in Confined Space Awareness?
YOW Canada’s Confined Space Awareness course is not intended or designed for trainers and we do not recommend that it be used to train a trainer. In order to reap the full benefits of the course, we recommend that each trainee complete a Confined Space Awareness course themselves. This also ensures that each employee receives a Confined Space Awareness certificate of completion.

What is the difference between the various levels of confined space training (ie: level 1,2,3 and 4)?
YOW Canada’s Confined Space Awareness course is considered a level 1 course. That means it's an awareness course that teaches employees the hazards of confined spaces and basic information on working safely with and around confined spaces. Most employees will require additional training that teaches them more about their specific role in the confined space.

Level 2 training is typically for entrants and attendants. This type of training would include using the equipment, reviewing the personal protective equipment required such as Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), Supplied Air Respirators (SAR) and Cartridge Respirators. Employees should also learn about problems that could arise while wearing respiratory protection and the actions necessary for safe usage.

It would also include learning non-entry rescue tactics. Employees should learn methods to rig overhead anchors, using tripods and safety lines, retractable lifelines and winch systems, operating rope-based mechanical hauling systems and using remote casualty connection techniques.

Level 3 training is typically for the competent worker or supervisor. This would be for persons required to do atmospheric testing in a confined space before the entrant enters. Employees should learn about air monitoring regulations regarding oxygen levels, lower explosive limits (LEL) and other permissible exposure limits of toxic fumes, vapours or gases and ventilation standards. They should learn about instrument operation, maintenance and proper interpretation of readings and documentation.

Level 4 training is typically for the rescuers. This training can be very extensive depending on the type of rescue that a worker may encounter. Entry rescues require extrication training and first responder training. Specialized rescue equipment and techniques may also be necessary.


How do I PURCHASE a Confined Space Awareness course?
Purchases can be done online, by phone at 1-866-688-2845 or by fax. You may pre-purchase courses to be used at a later date. There are no expiry dates for pre-purchased courses.
 

What other courses does YOW Canada offer?
Please visit our product menu for all of our course offerings.
 

How does the online course work?
YOW Canada’s Confined Space Awareness online course works in a 3 step process:

Step 1: Register - All trainees must be registered for the course.  Registration can be done online, by phone at 1-866-688-2845 or by fax.  Once registered, login and password information is emailed to the supervisor.

Step 2: Take the Course - Trainees can log in at any time to start their training and can log in and out as many times as necessary to complete their Confined Space Awareness training. The course is about 2 hours in length. It includes audio, video, animation and interactive exercises. It makes training fun and educational!

Step 3: Print your Confined Space Awareness Certificate of Completion - Once completed, wallet and wall-mount certificates are emailed to the supervisor.  The certificates are printable and accompanied by a Performance Record that displays how the trainee performed throughout the course (scores for each chapter etc.). 
 

Is the course available in French?
Not yet, but it will be soon.  Please keep checking our website for the latest update.
 

How long does it take to complete the online course?
The average trainee can complete this Confined Space Awareness online course in 2 hours. If you have a dial-up internet connection, it will take longer to download the course.
 

What will I receive when I have completed my training?
Once you complete the course, a pdf document will be available for you to download and print. This document is also emailed to the Account Supervisor.  This document will include your Performance Record and certificate of completion.  The certificate includes your name, your employer's name and the date you certified.
 

How will I receive my Confined Space Awareness certificate of completion?
The certificate will be automatically available for printing once you complete the course. It will also be emailed to the Account Supervisor. If you are self-employed, the certificate is sent to your email address directly.
 

How long is my certificate valid for?
YOW Canada recommends that you complete Confined Space Awareness training on an annual basis. The certificate will have a "Next Recommended Training Date" of one year after your certification date.

Consult with your industry’s provincial safety association or Worker's Compensation Board for details on when re-certification is required.

Click here to see a list of all the provincial Confined Space Regulations.
 

Can I take this course as a refresher?
Yes, this course was designed to suit the needs of both first time trainees and refresher training.  Please note, however, that this is a Confined Space Awareness course. Additional hands-on training on the equipment to be used is also required for some workers.
 

Can I log into the course more than once?
Yes, you can log in and out of the course as many times as necessary in order to complete your training.  When you log back into the course, you will be brought back to the last page you visited. You have up to 1 year to complete your course.
 

I am the supervisor. How can I monitor my employee's progress?
As a supervisor, you have access to a Course Administration site where you can monitor and track each employee's progress. You can see quiz scores, view certificates, activate accounts and more. You can also re-register any employee's who's certificates have expired. You also receive a copy of all training certificates by email as soon as the employee has completed the course.
 

I have dial-up internet. Can I still take the course?
Yes. The course is available for dial-up users.  Please be aware, however, that it may take more time to download.  If you'd like to see a demo to test the speed, please click here to view a demo of this course.
 

Why should I choose online training versus classroom training?
Online training with YOW Canada is fast, easy and effective. Some of the benefits of online training include:

	Available 24/7, on any computer with an internet connection.
	Complete tracking capabilities through Course Administration to ensure employees have certified and to monitor their progress.
	No need to remove multiple employees from their work to train simultaneously.
	Employers can rest assured that each employee has received the same subject matter.
	Save on traveling costs.
	Certificates are emailed immediately following successful completion of the course.

YOW Canada’s online training is dynamic and includes audio, video, animation and interactive exercises. It makes training fun and educational!
 

What are the technical requirements for taking this Confined Space Awareness online course?

	Windows 98 OS or newer / MAC OS 7 or newer
	Internet Explorer 5, Firefox (PC or MAC), Netscape 6.0 or newer, Safari (MAC)
	256 MB RAM
	Pentium 500 MHZ processor
	800 x 600 dpi screen resolution
	56k internet connection or higher (high-speed recommended)
	Macromedia Flash Player version 6.0 or higher