CCOHS Takes Two-Pronged Approach With e-Courses to Help People Work Safely in Confined Spaces

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has developed two e-courses to advise people how to work safely in confined spaces, as well as establish and manage a confined space program.

When someone must enter a shaft, tank or pipe to work, he or she is entering a potentially dangerous environment. Confined spaces can be risky places to work. Conditions are unpredictable and can change very quickly. Confined spaces can be awkward to move around in, may be hard to see in, and can have hazardous atmospheres. Each year, many Canadian workers are injured or killed while working in confined spaces.

The first course, Confined Spaces: The Basics has three modules that provide key information on the identification and control of hazards, and steps to working safely. The course is intended for workers (including outside contractors) who perform work in confined spaces, their supervisors, managers and health and safety committee members.

“Confined Spaces: The Basics” is equivalent to the information provided by a classroom course, however it does not provide the hands on, workplace-specific training that allows workers to put the theory learned into actual practice. Employers must ensure that this additional workplace-specific training is provided for confined space workers.

Building on the information introduced in The Basics”, the second course, Confined Space Management, was designed to provide guidance to managers, supervisors, or those with control over confined space work. Anyone with responsibility for establishing or managing a confined space program in the workplace would also find the course helpful. It outlines legal duties and responsibilities and describes what is required to establish and manage a confined space program in the workplace, as well as important considerations for emergency preparedness.

Courses from CCOHS are reviewed by expert representatives from labour, employers and government to ensure the content and approach are unbiased and credible. Course participants are able to contact CCOHS subject specialists to ask specific questions that may arise. There are quizzes throughout and a certificate of completion is issued upon passing the exam.

Pricing and registration information is available on the CCOHS website: http://www.ccohs.ca/products/courses/confined_spaces_basics/

More about the benefits of e-learning. http://www.ccohs.ca/products/courses/e-benefits.html

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Eleanor Irwin, Manager – Communications
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
905/572-2981, Ext. 4408 E-mail: eleanori@ccohs.ca