Course Overview
The Enter and Work in Confined Spaces course gives learners the practical skills to safely enter, work in and exit confined spaces. It covers how to identify confined space hazards, follow permit and safety procedures, and use confined space equipment correctly to complete tasks safely under appropriate supervision.
Work in confined spaces is a high-risk activity controlled through permit-to-work systems across Australian industry, where enclosed or partially enclosed environments such as tanks, vessels, silos, pits and shafts may present risks from hazardous atmospheres, engulfment or other environmental conditions. The 1-day Enter and Work in Confined Spaces (EWICS) course delivered at ERGT Australia provides learners with the practical knowledge and hands-on experience required to safely enter, work in and exit confined spaces across a range of workplace environments. Designed for both new and experienced workers, this course focuses on identifying confined space hazards, interpreting and following entry permits, applying risk controls, and selecting, inspecting and using confined space equipment in accordance with workplace procedures and legislative requirements.
Through a combination of facilitator-led learning and practical activities in a simulated work environment, learners will build the confidence and capability to safely perform confined space entry and work activities, interpret and follow entry permits, and select, inspect and use confined space equipment in line with industry best practice. Upon successful completion, learners will be job-ready to undertake confined space entry and work activities under the direct supervision of an authorised person or standby person.
Key details
Learning Objectives
- By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Plan and prepare for working in confined space
- Work in confined space
- Exit confined space
- Clean up work area
Prerequisites
There are no pre-requisites from the training standard for this course.
What to expect
Learner Support:
Learner wellbeing for this course is supported through measures that recognise the physical, cognitive, and psychological demands of entering and working in confined spaces within a simulated high-risk environment. As the course involves working in enclosed or restricted environments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and application of confined space entry procedures and atmospheric monitoring, ERGT implements support strategies that prioritise learner safety, confidence and readiness. This ensures learners can safely participate in all practical components without compromising their wellbeing or safety.
Physical Wellbeing Support:
- Trainers continuously monitor learners for signs of fatigue, discomfort, heat stress or restricted movement while working in confined spaces or wearing PPE.
- Learners are encouraged to disclose any physical concerns (e.g. fatigue, minor injury, claustrophobia or discomfort when using PPE or working in enclosed spaces) so adjustments can be made to participation.
Psychological & Emotional Wellbeing Support:
- Trainers provide clear pre-activity briefings to prepare learners for confined space entry, including safety controls, emergency procedures and expected activities.
- Learners experiencing discomfort or anxiety at working in enclosed environments are supported through gradual exposure, additional guidance, or alternative sequencing of activities where appropriate.
- Post-activity debriefs are conducted to reinforce learning, address concerns and build confidence in safe confined space work practices.
Cognitive Support for Safety-Critical Tasks:
- Step-by-step demonstrations of equipment use, including gas detection, permit systems, isolation processes and confined space entry procedures.
- Use of visual aids, diagrams and real equipment to reinforce understanding of confined space hazards and controls.
- Opportunities to practise tasks in controlled environments before performing them in simulated confined spaces.






