Confined Spaces (6160)

Last Updated: 26 Jun 2024

These qualifications replaced 6150 in December 2021. They are for those who have to enter, supervise or manage confined spaces. They are short course single unit qualifications and the updated qualification content is based on the National Occupational Standards developed by Energy & Utility Skills for the industry.

They are available to suit various levels of risk and roles in confined 
space entry including managing confined spaces.

Please note: From May 2022 we have introduced a new qualification: 6160-09 Level 2 Award in Entrant and Entry Controller for Confined Spaces (Medium Risk).  The handbook has been updated and assessment materials are now on the website.  Current 6160 centres have been given automatic approval to offer this qualification.  

Level 2 & 3 qualifications are for anyone entering a confined space. This could be to carry out work, work as an entry controller/ top person supporting entry or conducting emergency rescue and recovery.

The level 4 qualification is for 
those who plan and manage work in confined spaces.

6160 Confined Spaces Webinar 

This webinar covers the new 6160 Confined Spaces qualifications and addresses some key questions from centres.

Available to deliver in the following:
  • England
  • Wales – please check QiW website for available funding
  • Northern Ireland
  • International

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?

Depending on which qualification you take, you will cover things like: 

  • preparing to enter and work safely in confined spaces 
  • entering and exiting confined spaces 
  • preparing and using respiratory protective equipment (RPE) for working and escape purposes
  • using equipment and tools safely
  • dealing with emergencies
  • controlling entry and arrangements for confined spaces
  • Planning, managing and reviewing work for confined spaces 
The qualifications are delivered through a combination of practical and theoretical training at a City & Guilds centre. You will look at areas such as: risk assessments, classifications of confined spaces, equipment and procedures. More information can be found in the qualification handbook, available to download from the key documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

Candidates may undertake individual qualifications to progress from low to high risk or they may specialise in emergency rescue and recovery. Depending on their job role some candidates may progress to the level 4 qualification, plan, manage and review legislative and safety compliance for work in confined spaces.

What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?

To deliver these qualifications you will need suitably qualified staff to carry out training and assessment and assessment facilities that meet the specification in the qualification handbook and centre resource document.

The operational 
qualifications are assessed through a practical demonstration and a written test. The level 4 management qualification is assessed through the production of a portfolio and a written test.

Any learners aged 16 and over are eligible to undertake the assessments. In practice, though, learners will already be employed and aged 18 and over.

To find all the requirements for assessment and delivery, download the course handbooks from the centre documents section.

Level 2


What Careers Can This Lead To?


Level 2 Award in Working in Low Risk Confined Spaces (6160-01)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2027 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 2 Award in Working in Low Risk Confined Spaces

  • Accreditation No: 603/7272/2 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Other This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £53.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 2 Award in Working in Medium Risk Confined Spaces (6160-02)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2027 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 2 Award in Working in Medium Risk Confined Spaces

  • Accreditation No: 603/7273/4 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Other This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £53.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 2 Award in Working in High Risk Confined Spaces (6160-03)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2027 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 2 Award in Working in High Risk Confined Spaces

  • Accreditation No: 603/7274/6 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Other This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £53.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 2 Award in Entrant and Entry Controller for Confined Spaces (Medium Risk) (6160-09)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2027 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 2 Award in Entrant and Entry Controller for Confined Spaces (Medium Risk)

  • Accreditation No: 610/0731/6 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: VRQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £53.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3

Level 3 Award in Control Entry and Arrangements for Confined Spaces (High Risk) (6160-04)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2027 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 3 Award in Control Entry and Arrangements for Confined Spaces (High Risk)

  • Accreditation No: 603/7275/8 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Other This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2030 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £53.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 3 Award in Supervising Teams Undertaking Work in Confined Spaces (6160-05)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2027 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 3 Award in Supervising teams undertaking work in confined spaces

  • Accreditation No: 603/7276/X This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Other This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2030 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £53.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 3 Award in Direct Emergency Rescue and Recovery of Casualties from Confined Spaces (6160-07)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2027 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 3 Award in Direct Emergency Rescue and Recovery of Casualties from Confined Spaces

  • Accreditation No: 603/7278/3 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Other This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2030 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £53.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 3 Award in Working as a Member of a Rescue and Recovery Team in Confined Spaces (6160-08)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2027 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 3 Award in Working as a Member of a Rescue and Recovery Team in Confined Spaces

  • Accreditation No: 603/7279/5 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Other This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2030 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £53.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 4

Level 4 Award in Plan, Manage and Review Legislative and Safety Compliance for Work in Confined Spaces (6160-06)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2027 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 4 Award in Plan manage and review legislative and safety compliance for work in confined spaces

  • Accreditation No: 603/7277/1 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Other This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £53.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Additional information for centres

Learning Assistant

LEARNING ASSISTANT IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS QUALIFICATION

Learning Assistant is an innovative and cost effective e-portfolio solution that allows colleges and training providers to dramatically improve the delivery of their vocational qualifications.

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Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form