Confined Spaces 

Section 2   Roles and Duties 

Reference should also be made to Common Elements and Requirements, which 

supersedes some parts of this Section. 

2.1   

COMMANDING OFFICERS OR HEADS OF ESTABLISHMENT 

Role of the Commanding Officers or Heads of Establishment 

2.1.1  

The Commanding Officer or Head of Establishment is responsible for 

ensuring, as far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of 

their staff and others affected by their organisations/units activities.

Duties of the Commanding Officers or Heads of Establishment

2.1.2  

Ensure that these Safety Rules and Procedures are formally incorporated 

into safety policy for the Establishments for which they are responsible. 

2.5.12 

Ensure that confined spaces are adequately signed and secured according 

to the assessed risk. 

2.5.13 

Ensure that safety and test equipment for which the Authorised Person is 

responsible is examined, records completed, maintained and retained for 

three years. 

2.5.14 

Inform the Co ordinating Authorised Person and Authorising Engineer of 

any accident or dangerous occurrence. 

2.5.15 

Ensure the Work Team and other personnel are fully conversant with the 

Safety Method Statement and are aware of the hazards arising from 

improper operation or departure from the permitted procedures. 

2.5.16 

Co operate with the Establishments Health and Safety organisation in the 

setting up and running of safe systems of work within the Establishment. 

2.5.17 

Ensure that all site personnel, both civilian and military, likely to be 

involved in action in an emergency are fully conversant with the 

emergency procedures. 

2.5.18 

Where the risk assessment identifies the need to give prior warning of the 

work to the emergency services, ensure that any information they are 

likely to require is readily available. 

2.1.3  

Appoint suitably qualified and adequately experienced Authorising  

 Engineers for the Establishments for which they are responsible.

2.1.4  

Review the results of monitoring and audit reports on the implementation 

of these Safety Rules and Procedures and ensure actions are instigated to 

correct any deficiencies identified. 

2.2   

CO ORDINATING AUTHORISING ENGINEERS 

April 2005 

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