Posted: Jun 10
OSSA Confined Space Safety Training is an OSSA-approved certification for workers who enter, work near, or monitor Level 1, 2, or 3 confined
spaces in Alberta, including oil sands sites. This training is required under the Alberta Occupational Health & Safety Act and under
OSSA member site policies, so employers need it in place before workers ever step into a restricted area. The course covers hazard
identification, atmospheric testing, emergency response procedures, and the specific duties of a Confined Space Monitor. By the end of the
training, workers understand not just how to recognize a confined space, but how to respond if something goes wrong inside one..
For their safety, workers required to enter confined or restricted areas must also be trained in recognition of the risks associated with
these spaces and should understand the methods of controlling the associated hazards.
The OSSA confined space safety and training program is one of the many courses designed to help employers achieve these goals. The following are three things you need to know about the program:
The OSSA confined space safety and training program is an OSSA-approved course designed for workers who are, will be, or may be required to work in or around confined spaces.
OSSA has a very stringent process for evaluating and auditing the companies they accredit. Therefore, all member companies need to prioritize the OSSA confined space safety and training program, even if you do not work on an OSSA member site.
The main objective of the OSSA confined space safety and training program is to provide participants with an introduction to the hazards associated with entering and working in confined spaces. The other objective is to ensure that students demonstrate a basic understanding of the methods of controlling associated risks. In the spirit of looking out for each other, participants should also demonstrate proficiency in keeping track of other workers in confined spaces.
Additionally, the OSSA confined space safety and training program also covers the duties of a designated Confined Space Monitor as defined by OSSA standards. The training is designed to ensure that this Monitor is able to communicate with those in the confined space, respond to emergencies, and understand the duties and responsibilities of a Monitor. Those who successfully complete the program will be certified to work as Confined Space Monitors for Levels 1, 2, and 3 confined spaces.
The OSSA confined space safety and training program primarily covers the following topics:
Alberta's Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Act and its associated regulations continue to evolve. As of 2024, Alberta OHS
legislation places stronger emphasis on hazard assessment documentation prior to any confined space entry — employers must now ensure that
written confined space entry programs are in place and reviewed regularly, not just at time of incident
OSSA's audit standards have similarly tightened, with increased scrutiny on Monitor certification, emergency response pre-planning, and
atmospheric testing records. For workers on OSSA member sites, this means that simply having completed a confined space course is no longer
sufficient — the training must be current, the certification must be traceable, and the employer must be able to demonstrate that all
workers have been trained to the correct level for the specific confined spaces they encounter on site.
MI Safety's OSSA Confined Space Safety Training program is kept current with these regulatory changes and is delivered by instructors
with active field experience in Alberta's industrial sector. Upon completion, workers receive a certificate recognized across OSSA
member sites and are qualified to act as Confined Space Monitors for Level 1, 2, and 3 spaces. If your team's confined space
certifications are approaching renewal, or if you are onboarding new workers to an OSSA member site, contact MI Safety to schedule training:
780-987-3465 or info@misafety.ca.
