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Confined Spaces (Water)

About the Scheme

The Confined Spaces (Water) scheme records certifications of individuals and provides the water industry and its employers assurance of the level of technical competence achieved by individuals who enter, supervise or manage work in low, medium or high risk confined spaces within the water industry.

A confined space is any space of an enclosed nature which can be dangerous because of the associated hazards and risks such as reduced oxygen levels, flooding or collapse.  Anyone working in confined spaces in the water industry requires the specialist knowledge and skills to be able to carry out tasks both competently and safely.  Regulated qualifications have been developed in collaboration with Water UK (the body representing water companies) to provide consistency in training, skills and equipment so that individuals can easily work across water company boundaries.  These qualifications align to the National Classifications used in the water industry and are based on the appropriate roles and risk levels.

Qualifications

  • City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Working in Low Risk Confined Spaces: Water (6150-01)
  • City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Working in Medium Risk Confined Spaces (Top Man) (Entrant): Water (6150-02)
  • City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Working on Medium Risk Confined Spaces (Top Man) (Non–Entrant): Water (6150-06)
  • City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Working in High Risk Confined Spaces: Water (6150-03)
  • City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Top Man/Person for High Risk Confined Spaces: Water (6150-14)
  • City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Emergency Rescue and Recovery of Casualties from Confined Spaces: Water (6150-05)
  • City & Guilds Level 5 Award Manage Work in Confined Spaces: Water (6150-61)

National Classification

Classification Definition
NC1 Low risk, shallow entry with adequate natural or mechanical ventilation, where access is simple and unobstructed and there is no likely risk of flooding, e.g. meter pits, valve chambers, booster-pumping stations, PRV chambers etc.
NC2 Vertical, direct, unobstructed access with continuous attachment to a man riding hoist or similar mechanical rescue device.
NC3 When it is not possible to have persons permanently attached to a safety line.  Usually it will be a team entry which moves away from the entry point e.g. man entry sewers, utility service subway tunnels, aqueducts and complex wet wells.  Working without an attached rescue line includes working away from the point of entry.
NC4 Non-standard entries involving complex organisations which introduce additional risks and require specific controls and rescue arrangements e.g. mechanical hazards, physical complexity of system introduced hazards, enhanced specific intrinsic hazards.

Registration Categories

The following registration categories are available for Confined Spaces (Water):

  • Working in Low Risk Confined Spaces: Water – (NC1 & NC2)
  • Working in Medium Risk Confined Spaces: Water – (NC3)
  • Non-Entrant for Medium Risk Confined Spaces: Water – (NC3 Non-Entrant)
  • Working in High Risk Confined Spaces: Water – (NC4)
  • Non-Entrant, Top Person for High Risk Confined Spaces: Water – (NC4 Non-Entrant)
  • Emergency Rescue and Recovery of Casualties from Confined Spaces: Water (NC4)
  • Non-Entrant, Managing Work in Confined Spaces: Water – (NC4 Non-Entrant)

The EUSR registration will reflect the appropriate category and NC classification gained.

Registration on EUSR

Registration on EUSR is gained upon the completion of an appropriate regulated qualification and evidence for registration (a copy of the certificate and a photograph) has been submitted and verified.

Registration on EUSR is paper-based*. A Batch Form and Registration Form along with the appropriate evidence and photograph must be submitted to EUSR Support, Friars Gate, 1011 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull, B90 4BN.

IMPORTANT NOTICE* Due to the current circumstances relating to Covid-19, we are unable to process any paper-based registrations at this time. Please email your registration form (and any evidence) to eusr@euskills.co.uk. The EUSR Support team will then be able to process as usual.

Registration is valid for three years, after which re-registration is required.

Re-Registration on EUSR

Registration renewal is required after three years and is evidenced through the re-taking of the original qualification.

Find Out More

If you have any queries relating to EUSR or the evidence requirements for any of our schemes or programmes, please contact the EUSR Support team. We are available Monday – Friday, 8.00am – 5.00pm via email eusr@euskills.co.uk or tel: 0121 745 1310.