Posted By STEVE HI EVERYONE WONDERING IF ANYONE HS THE TIME TOGIVE ME SOME INFO. A FEW MTHS AGO I SENT A THREAD IN ASKING IF A 15 MIN VIDEO WAS ENOUGH TO BECOME A TOP/MAN[HOLE WATCHER}. WHILST I MYSELF WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THIS IT WAS STILL DEEMED GOOD ENOUGH ON THE SITE WHERE I WORKED. AS A CONTRACTOR I JOINED THE SAFETY COMMITEE FOR CONTRACTORS WHERE I BROUGHT THS UP,WHILST THINGS HAAVE IMPROVED THE C/S COURSE IS NOW 2HRS WITH A 20 QUESTION PAPER{THE TUTOR HAS NO EXPERENCE OF C/S OTHER THAN BASIC H&S AND WHAT IS PRESENTED ON VIDEO AND PAPER FORMAT} IM STILL CONCERNED THAT RECORDS SHOW THAT NO-ONE HAS FAILED WTH THIS SYSTEM,AM I BEING TO SCEPTIC. I HAVE JUST STARTED MY DIPLOMA PT1 AND HAVE ASKED THE H&S MANAGER IF I CAN COME UP WITH A QUESTIONIARRE TO AUDIT THE DIFFERENT PERSONEL{CONTRACTORS+SITE STAFF} WHO HAVE PASSED THIS COURSE TO SEE IF WEEKS DOWN THE LINE ,WHAT LEVEL OF COMPETENCE IS STILL ENFORCED. I FEEL SURE THAT WITH THIS STILL SMALL AMOUNT OF TRAINING THAT MY FEARS WILL BE CONFIRMED. IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS THAT THEY FEEL THAT A CONFINED SPACE HOLE WATCHER SHOULDKNOW I WOULD BE GRATEFUL OF YOUR SUGGESTIONS SO AS TO PUT THEM ON MY LIST. WHEN I HAVE DONE MY SURVEY AND REPORTED BACK WITH MY FINDINGS I WILL COME BACK TO CHATROOM TO DISCUSS. I KNOW CIARAN, PHIL AND STUART WILL HAVE SOME INPUT ON THIS BECAUSE OF THE WAY THEY FEEL ABOUT C/SPACES BUT OTHERS WHO DO NOT HAVE THE SAME EXPERENCE SHOULD RESPOND ASWELL AS MAYBE THE EXPERIENCED WILL FORGET ABOUT THE BASIC QUESTIONS THEY SHOULD KNOW. I DONT WANT TO MAKE THE QUESTONIRRE TO COMPLECAITED OR TO LONG SO I WILL USE THE BEST. WHEN DONE WLL PRINT THE QUESTIONS ON HERE ND TELL YOU OF THE FINDINGS. NEED QUESTIONS NO LATER THAN 23/3/01 STEVE

Posted By Ciaran McAleenan Steve It is our contention that topmen need to be as competent as the confined space entry workers since topmen often perform the role of entry worker also. If you can be absolutely certain that the topman will never enter the confined space then as a minimum you need him to; * Be able to identify confined spaces, * Be aware of the hazards associated with confined spaces, * Be aware of confined spaces hazard controls, * Be aware of his role and responsibility as topman (including the importance of it), * Be completely aware of his limitations We have an internet training program (with end test) aimed at basic awareness for confined spaces workers. You will find it at the following web address; http://www.confinedspace...W01/CSHEU/CSHEUFrame.htm I hope this helps. Call me if you need any more. Regards Ciaran mailto:ciaran@confinedspaces.com