Confined Spaces 

Section 3   Operational Appointments 

3.4.5  

Holiday and absence cover must be provided by an Authorising Engineer 

with a current Confined Spaces Certificate of Competency. 

3.4.6  

Nominations and appointments for Authorising Engineer specialisms are 

to be limited to not more than three specialisms for each prospective 

Authorising Engineer. 

Appointment of Authorising Engineers 

3.4.7  

The DE SAA CS will issue a Certificate of Competency to persons who 

demonstrate that they are suitably qualified, trained and experienced to 

undertake the duties of Authorising Engineer (Confined Spaces) on the 

Defence Estate. 

3.4.8  

Authorising Engineers are to be nominated by the Maintenance 

Management Organisation and the appointment is to be approved by the 

Commanding Officer or Head of Establishment (see CER). 

3.4.9  

Before approving the appointment, the Commanding Officer or Head of 

Establishment is to be satisfied that qualifications, experience and general 

competence and suitability of the nominee is appropriate and adequate for 

the appointment. Normally it is sufficient to check the Certificate of 

Competency and ensure that prospective Authorising Engineers are 

familiar with the Confined Spaces on the Establishment (see CER). 

3.4.10 

A detailed methodology for the appointment procedure is described at 

Annex C to these Safety Rules and Procedures (see CER). 

3.4.11 

The appointment of an Authorising Engineer may be suspended or 

terminated by the Commanding Officer or Head of Establishment (see 

CER), by taking the following actions: 

n 

informing the Authorising Engineer and the Maintenance 

Management Organisation in writing giving the following 

information: 

n 

the reasons for the suspension or termination 

n 

details of any further training or experience considered 

necessary before re appointment 

n 

the expected duration of the suspension. 

n 

arranging a meeting with the Co ordinating Authorising Engineer 

(see CER) and the Maintenance Management Organisation to discuss 

the suspension or termination and any action necessary to maintain 

the availability of an Authorising Engineer. 

April 2005 

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