We are proud to be rated 5 stars from 1584 reviews on Google

x

Confined Space Training and Consultancy

Plan, prepare and train to work safely in confined spaces

120+ Years Experience Over 120 years' experience
People trained (25,000) - 25,000 trained in last 12 months 25,000 trained in last 12 months
Employed Trainers (100+) - Over 100 employed trainers Over 100 employed trainers
Nationwide (UK Wide Coverage) UK Wide Coverage

For over 100 years, we’ve provided confined space rescue services – making us not only one of the most experienced confined space training companies, but also one of the most accredited.

We provide a wide range of City & Guilds and CITB approved confined space training courses, all of which are suitable for many industries. Our courses are highly practical – and are taught in state-of-the-art facilities which include conditions that replicate what a person may encounter when working in real confined spaces such as tunnels, pits, sewers or tanks. In these facilities our trainers can simulate what it’s like to enter, exit and work in spaces which are considered a high, medium or low risk confined space. And also, how to escape and if necessary, carry out a rescue in a safe manner.

Which confined space training course should I choose?

Our courses comply with all current regulations and the requirements of the National Occupational Standards. Those who complete assessments successfully can choose to receive City & Guilds 6160 certification where available, or our MRS certificate if preferred which is in alignment with this.

Not sure if you have a Confined space?  Take the test.

Do you provide on-site and bespoke confined space training?

Yes - we can provide on-site and bespoke confined space training throughout the UK and internationally.

Mobile training unit

We have a fleet of purpose built, state-of-the-art City & Guilds approved MOBILE TRAINING UNITS, which feature all the facilities we need to deliver and assess our range of accredited courses. We can also develop bespoke courses for specific industries, sites and work requirements.

All our mobile training units contain:

  • 6 tunnel labyrinths
  • Top entry hatch
  • Side entry hatch
  • A guarded rail deck
  • Ladder access with a handrail
  • 3.1m vertical entry
  • All equipment required for low, medium, high and rescue training
  • The ability to simulate a smoke-filled environment

Frequently asked questions

Our confined space courses are accredited and certified by a range of external bodies including; EU Skills, CITB, and City & Guilds. We work closely with City & Guilds to create the qualifications for confined spaces – including the standards for confined space entry and rescue.

These accreditations mean we are subject to annual audits by awarding bodies, for each accredited course we offer.

No. 

We own and maintain all the equipment used by delegates on our courses – and only use the equipment we trust and would use ourselves. Those who attend our confined space training courses will get to use a wide range of equipment – dependent on the course attended, this may include; man riding hoists, escape breathing apparatus and auxiliary ventilation to name just a few.

We also sell the equipment we use as part of training – to find out more, contact us.

According to the regulations, a specified risk can be:

  • Injury caused by fire or explosion
  • Loss of consciousness caused by an increase in body temperature
  • Loss of consciousness or asphyxiation caused by gas, fume, vapour or lack of oxygen
  • Drowning
  • Asphyxiation cased by a free flowing solid or the inability to reach safety due to entrapment by a free flowing solid

It should be noted that the specified risk may not always be there – it may be introduced by the nature of the work, i.e. cutting, welding, spray painting.

According to the Confined Spaces Regulation 1997, a confined space is defined as a ‘space in which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a reasonably foreseeable specified risk’.
Common confined spaces include:

  • Sewers
  • Tanks
  • Vats
  • Silos
  • Tunnels
  • Wells

A confined space is not necessarily an area you have to ‘squeeze’ into – or a space in which you must crawl around on your hands and knees. Some confined spaces may be harder to identify, as they are not enclosed on all sides or may be very large, like a ship’s hold. If you’re trying to determine if a space is a confined space or not – consider the work to take place in that area, and whether the work increases the risk of serious personal injury from hazardous substances or conditions within the space or nearby.

When work must be carried out in a confined space, a safe system of work which identifies the hazards, the risks and the control measures must be created. The purpose of this is to ensure the work can be controlled and undertaken with an acceptable level of risk.

Furthermore, if you require employees to enter a confined space, you must prepare suitable and sufficient arrangements for their rescue. Very importantly, this is required even if the emergency is not brought about by a specified risk. Your rescue arrangements need to ensure you are protecting the rescuers and, where necessary, include resuscitation equipment.

Working in a confined space will always have an element of risk, but these risks can be controlled to make the risks acceptable. The risks and controls need to be understood by all who work in confined spaces.

If you are unsure and would like a site visit so our confined space experts can assess your spaces and advise on how to ensure the safety of your workforce, get in touch.

If you need support in identifying confined spaces – or understanding what training your employees need to be compliant, we can help. Our consultancy team are specialists and provide a full range of services – which are all compliance guaranteed.

The services we can provide include; confined space surveys and audits, training consultancy, expert accident and incident analysis, managing confined spaces support and emergency rescue and response services.

Working in confined spaces has resulted in fatalities and injuries, across a variety of industries. To try and reduce this, the Confined Space Regulations 1997 were introduced.

There is a requirement under both the Health & Safety at Work Act and the Confined Space Regulations, to ensure people are trained and competent to carry out the planned work activities. The objective of any training is to reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities.

This is my second training course provided by MRS Training and Rescue. The first at the Mansfield location and the second at an external venue and just like the first course the requirements and objectives were made clear from the start and the course was delivered in a professional manner by an experienced trainer. The course was informative and I have full confidence that I will be able to apply my learnings in the working environment.

Lea Curtis, Severn Trent Water

MRS Staff very friendly and course was very well presented with plenty of time taken to answer and explain any questions. The practical areas are perfect with extremely interesting items within them. 5 star experience. Thank you

Paul Smyth, Magnetic Analysis

Just finished my High Risk Confined Space training at MRS . Professional trainer, good knowledge. Training facility very well prepared for candidates to do confine space training.Big positive .

Artur Serzysko, LM Wind Power

Great tutors, very knowledgable and easy to get along with. surpassed all expectations and very happy with the outcome of my confined space course.

Euan Boyce, FCC Environment

We originally turned to MRS for Confined Space Entry training following our dissatisfaction with the consistency of delivery of our previous training providers. Ensuring the safety of our 100 strong team is our passion. Utlising MRS for the delivery of the relevant City and Guilds courses gives us the peace of mind they have received the training that is both suitable and sufficient for the industrial maintenance Rema Tip Top Industry undertake in high risk environments.

, Rema Tip Top
Next testimonialPrevious testimonial

Call us or book online...

CAN'T FIND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR? ENQUIRE HERE

WE CAN TAILOR OR DELIVER THIS COURSE ON-SITE FOR BOOKINGS FOR 8 OR MORE - CLICK HERE

Our Heritage

MRS Heritage


For over 120 years, MRS has provided its specialist skills, experience and knowledge to effect the rescue and escape of mine workers from underground. Read more about our historic heritage, and how it has impacted on our present and future, by clicking here

The Benefits

  • We are a leading authority in confined space and at height technical rescue and we never rest in our goal to keep people safe.

  • We practice what we preach – our trainers are also operational rescue team members – so have real life stories to make the theory come alive.

  • We deliver best-in-class training so that anyone attending courses leaves capable of applying the knowledge to real-life situations.

  • Most of our courses are highly practical and feedback from delegates is excellent.

  • Nationwide service from our eight Training and Rescue Centres across the UK.

  • Are employed by us and trained to our own exacting standards.

  • Have real-life experience of working in high-risk environments and often share these with candidates.

  • Understand recognised learning styles and quickly adapt their delivery based on the needs of those being trained.

  • Ensure delegates are engaged by punctuating training with tests, quizzes and practical sessions.

  • Where possible, include information specific to delegates’ working practices so they leave ready to apply the learning in their day-to day roles.

What our customers say...

5 stars, 1584 reviews

Read Our Reviews

Experts you can trust

With real life stories to make the theory come alive