Authorised Gas Tester

Course Information

This course is accredited to the OPITO Authorised Gas Tester standard and 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. When you pass the course, you will be issued with a certificate which is valid for 3 years.

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

1. Confined space criteria
2. The type of operations being tested for flammable and toxic gases
3. The potential cumulative hazards of operations within an oxygen-enriched, oxygen- deficient, toxic or flammable environment and habitats
4. Carrying out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment before testing activities and confined space entry
5. Understanding responsibilities within safe systems of work
6. Nominating stand by person to raise the alarm and initiate emergency response
7. The implications of statutory requirements with respect to gas testing
8. How to interpret operational requirements
9. How to select, use and care for PPE for different toxic and flammable gases and other contaminants through risk assessment
10. Consideration of appropriate levels of respiratory protective equipment
11. The strengths and weaknesses of the various types of atmospheric flammable and toxic gas detection equipment
12. Determining the extent of the test boundaries
13. Calibrating the instruments used in atmospheric testing
14. Sources of assistance in the event of damaged or defective equipment
15. How to access and interpret the relevant operational instructions
16. The operating principles of atmosphere monitoring and measuring equipment
17. Frequently observed failure modes
18. How to correctly select between aspirating and non-aspirating detectors to obtain a representative sample of the atmosphere being tested
19. Equipment required for testing for hydrocarbons in inert atmospheres
20. Gas detector pre-start checks
21. How to document the results and advise relevant personnel
22. How to interpret the results, to include both normal and abnormal
23. Hot work (any operation involving naked flames or producing heat and/or sparks or any operation that has spark potential)
24. Vapour cloud movement
25. The hazards and properties of flammable gases
26. Carrying out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment before testing activities
27. Understanding responsibilities within safe systems of work
28. Nominating fire watcher(s) to raise the alarm and initiate emergency response
29. The different types of detectors used for the flammable product
30. The range and frequency of tests
31. Monitoring and retesting requirements
32. The principles of hot work gas testing as applied to the work area
33. The acceptable levels of flammable gases
34. The correct amount of oxygen
35. How to set up the relevant detector for each gas testing application and confirm its correct functioning
36. Where to site portable or transportable equipment that will be used to continuously monitor the atmosphere
37. The hazards and properties of flammable and toxic gases
38. The behaviour of different gases
39. The range and frequency of tests and monitoring and retesting after the initial entry
40. Acceptable levels of flammable and toxic gases and the correct amount of oxygen
41. The implications of WEL for toxic gases
42. The implications of LEL for flammable gases
43. Performing gas tests in sequence
44. How to set up the relevant detector for each gas testing application, its potential failure modes and confirming its correct functioning
45. How to obtain a representative atmosphere sample from a range of confined spaces
46. Taking samples at the top, middle and bottom to locate varying concentrations of gases and vapours
47. Sampling confined spaces at a distance inside the opening because air intrusion near the entrance can give a false sense of adequate oxygen present
48. Testing flammable gases in inert atmospheres
49. Where to site portable or transportable equipment that will be used to continuously monitor the atmosphere
50. Responsibilities of the Fire Watch
51. Responsibilities of the Standby Person
52. Responsibilities of the Gas Monitor role
53. Impact of environmental changes on working conditions
54. Sources of assistance and specialist support
55. The importance of checking that the controls on the equipment are as specified