AUTHORISED GAS TESTER

Course Outline:
This course has been designed to equip delegates with the knowledge to conduct gas testing within confined spaces and awareness of associated confined hazards. The authorised gas tester role is critical in testing for and ensuring safe working atmospheres, in particular: permit-controlled confined spaces, and prior to and during hot work.

Our course has been developed in bitesize learning chunks for each topic. At the end of each module, there will be an assessment. Delegates will need to pass each module at 80 percent or above.

The aim of this course is to teach you the requirements associated with gas detection. On successful completion, you will have the basic knowledge necessary to allow you to operate as an Authorised Gas Tester. You will be given two attempts at each module, and you must score 80 percent to pass.

Learning Objectives:

• LO1: Confined space criteria
• LO2: The type of operations being tested for flammable and toxic gases
• LO3: The potential cumulative hazards of operations within an oxygen-enriched, oxygen- deficient, toxic or flammable environment and habitats
• LO4: Carrying out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment before testing activities and confined space entry
• LO5: Understanding responsibilities within safe systems of work
• LO6: Nominating stand by person to raise the alarm and initiate emergency response
• LO7: The implications of statutory requirements with respect to gas testing
• LO8: How to interpret operational requirements
• LO9: How to select, use and care for PPE for different toxic and flammable gases and other contaminants through risk assessment
• LO10: Consideration of appropriate levels of respiratory protective equipment
• LO11: The strengths and weaknesses of the various types of atmospheric flammable and toxic gas detection equipment
• LO12: Determining the extent of the test boundaries
• LO13: Calibrating the instruments used in atmospheric testing
• LO14: Sources of assistance in the event of damaged or defective equipment
• LO15: How to access and interpret the relevant operational instructions
• LO16: The operating principles of atmosphere monitoring and measuring equipment
• LO17: Frequently observed failure modes
• LO18: How to correctly select between aspirating and non-aspirating detectors to obtain a representative sample of the atmosphere being tested
• LO19: Equipment required for testing for hydrocarbons in inert atmospheres
• LO20: Gas detector pre-start checks
• LO21: How to document the results and advise relevant personnel
• LO22: How to interpret the results, to include both normal and abnormal
• LO23: Hot work (any operation involving naked flames or producing heat and/or sparks or any operation that has spark potential)
• LO24: Vapour cloud movement
• LO25: The hazards and properties of flammable gases
• LO26: Carrying out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment before testing activities
• LO27: Understanding responsibilities within safe systems of work
• LO28: Nominating fire watcher(s) to raise the alarm and initiate emergency response
• LO29: The different types of detectors used for the flammable product
• LO30: The range and frequency of tests
• LO31: Monitoring and retesting requirements
• LO32: The principles of hot work gas testing as applied to the work area
• LO33: The acceptable levels of flammable gases
• LO34: The correct amount of oxygen
• LO35: How to set up the relevant detector for each gas testing application and confirm its correct functioning
• LO36: Where to site portable or transportable equipment that will be used to continuously monitor the atmosphere
• LO37: The hazards and properties of flammable and toxic gases
• LO38: The behaviour of different gases
• LO39: The range and frequency of tests and monitoring and retesting after the initial entry
• LO40: Acceptable levels of flammable and toxic gases and the correct amount of oxygen
• LO41: The implications of WEL for toxic gases
• LO42: The implications of LEL for flammable gases LO43: Performing gas tests in sequence
• LO44: How to set up the relevant detector for each gas testing application, its potential failure modes and confirming its correct functioning
• LO45: How to obtain a representative atmosphere sample from a range of confined spaces
• LO46: Taking samples at the top, middle and bottom to locate varying concentrations of gases and vapours
• LO47: Sampling confined spaces at a distance inside the opening because air intrusion near the entrance can give a false sense of adequate oxygen present
• LO48: Testing flammable gases in inert atmospheres
• LO49: Where to site portable or transportable equipment that will be used to continuously monitor the atmosphere
• LO50: Responsibilities of the Fire Watch
• LO51: Responsibilities of the Standby Person
• LO52: Responsibilities of the Gas Monitor role
• LO53: Impact of environmental changes on working conditions
• LO54: Sources of assistance and specialist support
• LO55: The importance of checking that the controls on the equipment are as specified