Overview of ECITB Global confined space training
ECITB Global offers a suite of specialised courses to help ensure workers and teams operate safely in confined spaces, focusing on areas such as hazard awareness, control and safety measures, permit requirements and precautions.
The confined space courses are developed against ECITB training standards, which are created working with subject matter experts from across engineering construction employers, professional organisations and training providers.
After a successful launch in Qatar in January 2026, four new courses were rolled out to the full network of international licensed training providers to replace the old confined space low and medium-risk courses.
The four confined space courses
- Confined Space Attendant/Hole Watcher (4 hours)
- Confined Space Entrant (4 hours)
- Confined Space Supervisor (6 hours)
- Confined Space Rescue (16-18 hours)
Summary of ECITB Global’s four confined space courses
Confined Space Attendant / Hole Watcher
This four-hour course prepares candidates to work as an attendant stationed outside a confined space, monitoring entrants and conditions throughout the operation.
Delegates learn to recognise atmospheric and physical hazards, spot the signs of exposure, keep accurate entry logs and communicate effectively with the entry team. The course also covers non-entry rescue techniques and tripod use, equipping attendants to raise the alarm and act quickly if an entrant is in danger.
Key topics
- Confined space definitions and permit-required spaces
- Atmospheric hazards and testing procedures
- Signs and symptoms of hazard exposure
- Entry logging and communication
- Roles of attendant, entrant and supervisor
- Non-entry rescue and tripod practical
Confined Space Entrant
This four-hour course equips workers who physically enter confined spaces with the knowledge to identify hazards, understand permit requirements and use protective and monitoring equipment safely.
Delegates gain a clear understanding of the duties of entrants, attendants and supervisors, along with practical skills in gas monitoring and PPE use, so they can work safely and respond appropriately to changing conditions.
Key topics
- Confined space hazards and permit requirements
- Atmospheric hazards, control measures and gas monitoring
- PPE and confined space entry equipment
- Duties and responsibilities of entrant, attendant and supervisor
- Rescue equipment awareness
Confined Space Supervisor
This six-hour course is targeted at foremen, supervisors and health & safety officers responsible for confined space work. It develops the skills needed to plan, authorise and oversee confined space entry.
Delegates learn how to prepare a work site, brief workers, implement the permit-to-work system and manage emergency and rescue arrangements.
The course gives supervisors the confidence to control entry safely from start to finish, including withdrawing personnel and returning the space to service.
Key topics
- Permit-to-work systems for confined space entry
- Hazard identification and control measures
- Atmospheric testing and gas monitoring
- Supervising entry, emergency and rescue arrangements
- Responsibilities of entrant, attendant and supervisor
Confined Space Rescue
This 16–18-hour programme for dedicated rescue teams is a comprehensive, hands-on course for teams responsible for extracting casualties from confined spaces.
Delegates cover relevant legislation, safe systems of work and lockout/tagout, before moving into practical rescue skills including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) use, tripod-based extraction techniques and CPR/first aid.
The course builds the competence and confidence needed to plan and execute a safe, effective rescue under pressure.
Key topics
- Legislation and codes of practice for confined space rescue
- Permit-required spaces, atmospheric and physical hazards
- Risk assessment and emergency planning
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) inspection and use
- Rescue techniques using tripod equipment
- Emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid resuscitation
ECITB Global courses and qualifications
ECITB Global’s range of engineering construction training products and services are based on our highly successful model of developing training standards and qualifications that are licensed to training providers who then deliver quality ECITB products to clients worldwide.
Find out more about ECITB Global courses and qualifications