How long is SCBA training valid for ?

How Long Is SCBA Training Valid For in Western Australia?

Workers in mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, utilities, maintenance, shutdowns and emergency response are often required to operate self-contained breathing apparatus, commonly referred to as SCBA.

One of the most common questions asked by workers and employers is:

How long is SCBA training valid for in Western Australia?

The nationally recognised unit generally associated with workplace breathing apparatus use is:

MSMWHS216 – Operate breathing apparatus

A Statement of Attainment for MSMWHS216 does not ordinarily have a printed expiry date. However, this does not mean a worker should complete the course once and rely on that training indefinitely.

The practical answer is:

An MSMWHS216 Statement of Attainment does not normally expire, but breathing apparatus refresher training and reassessment should generally be considered at least annually.

The appropriate interval may also depend on the hazards involved, how frequently the worker uses breathing apparatus, the complexity of the equipment and the requirements of the employer or worksite.

Does an SCBA ticket expire in Western Australia?

What workers commonly call an “SCBA ticket” or “breathing apparatus ticket” is usually a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment issued after successful completion of MSMWHS216.

The Statement of Attainment records that the worker was assessed as competent at the time of assessment. It is not the same as a driver’s licence or a high-risk work licence with a legislated expiry date.

MSMWHS216 is not a high-risk work licence class. The national unit also states that no licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply directly to the unit at the time of publication. [1]

Therefore, the original Statement of Attainment does not automatically become invalid after 12 months.

However, a certificate and current workplace competence are not necessarily the same thing.

A worker may still possess a legitimate Statement of Attainment while no longer being sufficiently practised, familiar or competent to operate the equipment safely. An employer or site may also require evidence of training or reassessment completed within the previous 12 months.

How often should SCBA training be refreshed?

AS/NZS 1715:2009, which deals with the selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment, provides guidance concerning training and retraining.

The appropriate frequency depends on factors such as:

• the complexity of the respiratory protection program

• the level of risk associated with the atmosphere

• the type of equipment being used

• how frequently workers use the equipment

• the worker’s ability to retain the required practical skills.

For breathing apparatus users, refresher training and reassessment should be considered at least annually. [2]

This annual period should be treated as a minimum benchmark rather than a guarantee that every worker will remain competent for exactly 12 months.

More frequent instruction, drills or verification may be required where:

• breathing apparatus is used for emergency response

• workers use SCBA infrequently

• the atmosphere may be immediately dangerous to life or health

• equipment or procedures have changed

• the worker has difficulty completing checks or operating the set

• an incident, near miss or equipment failure has occurred.

What does Western Australian law require?

Western Australia’s Work Health and Safety legislation does not state that every MSMWHS216 certificate expires on a particular date.

Instead, the WA Work Health and Safety Regulations require a person conducting a business or undertaking to ensure that information, training and instruction provided to workers is suitable and adequate for:

• the nature of the work

• the risks associated with the work

• the control measures being used.

The training must also be provided in a way that workers can readily understand. [3]

Where personal protective equipment is required, the employer or PCBU must ensure that it is suitable for the work, properly fitted, maintained and used correctly. Workers must also receive information, training and instruction in its proper use, wearing, storage and maintenance. [4]

These duties continue after the worker has completed a nationally recognised course.

An employer cannot rely only on the existence of an old training certificate if there is reason to believe the worker can no longer use the equipment safely.

What is SCBA?

SCBA stands for self-contained breathing apparatus.

An SCBA set carries its own supply of compressed breathing air, normally in a cylinder mounted on the wearer’s back. The equipment commonly includes:

• a compressed-air cylinder

• carrying harness and backplate

• pressure reducer

• pressure gauge or electronic monitoring system

• low-pressure warning device

• demand valve

• full-face mask

• associated hoses, valves and fittings.

Because the wearer carries the breathing-air supply, an SCBA set allows movement without remaining connected to an external airline.

The working duration of a cylinder is not simply the number printed on it. Actual duration is affected by the cylinder pressure and capacity, the wearer’s breathing rate, workload, physical condition, stress, temperature and the need to leave the hazardous area before the low-pressure warning activates.

Workers must continually monitor their remaining air and allow sufficient time to return to a respirable atmosphere.

What does MSMWHS216 cover?

MSMWHS216 covers the skills and knowledge required to operate and maintain breathing apparatus in an irrespirable atmosphere.

The unit applies to workers required to wear breathing apparatus because they are working:

• in a confined space

• around hazardous gases or vapours

• in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere

• in another situation requiring supplied breathing air.

The unit covers open-circuit breathing apparatus, including self-contained breathing apparatus and airline equipment. It does not cover closed-circuit rebreather equipment. [1]

Participants must demonstrate that they can:

• inspect the breathing apparatus before use

• identify and report faults or damage

• perform pre-donning checks and tests

• correctly don and operate the equipment

• identify hazards and apply controls

• maintain communication while wearing the apparatus

• calculate or determine available working time

• monitor their remaining air supply

• respond to entrapment or equipment problems

• return to a respirable atmosphere safely

• remove and close down the equipment

• clean and prepare the apparatus for further operational use.

The national assessment requirements specify that practical performance evidence must be collected using breathing apparatus, suitable equipment and safety gear. Assessment must include preparation, operation, completion and responses to problems. [5]

This is why SCBA training should not be reduced to a brief online course or presentation.

Is MSMWHS216 an emergency response qualification?

MSMWHS216 can apply to workers who may use breathing apparatus during an emergency, but emergency response is not the primary focus of the unit.

The unit concentrates on operating and maintaining breathing apparatus in an irrespirable atmosphere.

A person expected to perform firefighting, hazardous-material response, confined-space rescue or other emergency response duties may require additional units and workplace training.

For example, an emergency response team member may need competencies covering:

• fire response

• rescue procedures

• incident response

• hazardous materials

• first aid

• gas testing

• confined-space entry

• breathing apparatus control procedures.

Holding MSMWHS216 alone does not automatically qualify a person to conduct every type of rescue or emergency response.

Is SCBA training the same as confined-space training?

No.

SCBA training and confined-space entry training address different competencies.

MSMWHS216 – Operate breathing apparatus covers the inspection, donning, operation and maintenance of breathing apparatus in an irrespirable atmosphere.

RIIWHS202E – Enter and work in confined spaces covers planning, permits, hazard controls, communication, entry, work and exit procedures for confined spaces.

A worker required to enter a confined space while wearing SCBA may need both units.

The worker may also require MSMWHS217 – Gas test atmospheres if their duties include conducting atmospheric testing and interpreting gas-detector readings.

The employer must determine the exact competencies required for the worker’s assigned role.

When should SCBA refresher training be completed?

Refresher training or reassessment should be considered in the following circumstances.

Twelve months have passed since the last assessment

Annual refresher training is a sound benchmark for workers expected to operate breathing apparatus.

Many industrial and emergency-response workplaces require evidence of SCBA training completed within the previous 12 months.

The worker rarely uses breathing apparatus

SCBA is a practical skill. Workers can lose familiarity with straps, valves, warning devices, pressure calculations, emergency procedures and communications when the equipment is not used regularly.

A person who has not worn SCBA since their previous course may require retraining before being authorised to use it.

A different SCBA model is introduced

Breathing apparatus models can vary in their:

• harness adjustment

• cylinder connections

• demand valves

• warning systems

• pressure displays

• mask connections

• shutdown procedures.

A person trained on one make or model should receive equipment-specific familiarisation before using a substantially different set.

Workplace procedures have changed

Changes to entry control, tallies, personal lines, radio procedures, team arrangements, air-management rules or emergency procedures may require additional training.

The worker cannot complete the required checks

A certificate should never replace the ability to demonstrate the task.

If a worker cannot correctly conduct pre-use tests, obtain a face seal, calculate working duration or respond to a warning alarm, they should not enter an irrespirable atmosphere until retraining and reassessment have occurred.

An incident or equipment problem has occurred

An equipment malfunction, depleted cylinder, damaged mask, poor face seal, communication failure or unplanned emergency should trigger a review.

The review may identify a need for retraining, equipment maintenance or changes to the respiratory protection program.

Is face-fit testing part of SCBA currency?

Face-fit testing and SCBA competency are related, but they are not the same requirement.

Most workplace SCBA sets use a tight-fitting full-face mask. A correct seal between the mask and the wearer’s face is essential. If the seal is compromised, contaminated air may enter the mask.

WorkSafe WA advises that fit testing is required for tight-fitting respirators. Testing should occur:

• before the respirator is worn for the first time

• when a new make or model is issued

• when facial characteristics change in a way that may affect the seal

• regularly, based on the workplace risk assessment.

Workers should also perform the required positive or negative pressure fit check each time the mask is donned. [6]

Facial hair, including beards or stubble that passes through the sealing surface, can prevent an effective seal.

Completing MSMWHS216 does not permanently confirm that every mask will fit the worker. Fit testing must relate to the particular make, model, style and size of mask being used.

Is SCBA equipment servicing the same as worker refresher training?

No.

Three separate matters must be managed:

1. The worker’s training and competency

2. The worker’s face fit

3. The inspection, testing and servicing of the equipment

A recently trained worker cannot safely use defective, overdue or poorly maintained breathing apparatus.

Likewise, a fully serviced SCBA set does not make an untrained person competent to operate it.

Equipment must be inspected, cleaned, maintained, tested and serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, workplace procedures and applicable standards.

Can an employer reject an older SCBA certificate?

Yes.

An employer, mine operator, principal contractor or industrial site may require evidence of SCBA training completed within a particular period.

An annual requirement is consistent with established respiratory-protection guidance and the high-risk nature of operating in an irrespirable atmosphere.

A site may also require:

• a practical verification of competency

• evidence of current face-fit testing

• equipment-specific familiarisation

• site emergency-response training

• medical or fitness clearance

• participation in regular breathing apparatus drills.

The fact that the original Statement of Attainment has no printed expiry date does not prevent a workplace from imposing reasonable currency requirements.

SCBA training with Safety Heights and Rescue Training

Safety Heights and Rescue Training – RTO 52610 delivers nationally recognised:

MSMWHS216 – Operate breathing apparatus

Training is delivered face to face at our Naval Base facility in Western Australia and can also be arranged at suitable client workplaces.

Participants receive practical training using modern open-circuit SCBA equipment, including SCOTT Contour breathing apparatus, full-face masks and lightweight cylinders.

Training covers:

• respiratory and atmospheric hazards

• breathing apparatus components

• pre-use checks

• cylinder pressure and working duration

• donning and adjusting the apparatus

• face-seal checks

• communications

• air monitoring

• low-pressure warnings

• emergency and entrapment procedures

• equipment removal

• cleaning and after-use inspections.

Students must demonstrate the required practical skills and knowledge before being assessed as competent.

Course information and available dates can be found at:

www.rescue-training.com.au

Frequently asked questions

How long is MSMWHS216 valid for?

The Statement of Attainment does not normally have a fixed expiry date. Refresher training and reassessment should generally be considered at least annually.

Is annual SCBA refresher training legally required?

WA legislation does not state that every MSMWHS216 certificate expires after 12 months. However, AS/NZS 1715 guidance, workplace risk and employer requirements support regular retraining, with annual reassessment commonly used as the minimum benchmark.

Can I use SCBA if my training is more than a year old?

That depends on your employer and site requirements. You must also remain competent, have current equipment familiarisation and meet face-fit requirements.

Does SCBA training include confined-space entry?

No. A worker entering a confined space may also require RIIWHS202E – Enter and work in confined spaces.

Do I need to be clean-shaven?

Hair must not interfere with the mask’s sealing surface or valves. Beards and stubble within the sealing area can prevent a tight-fitting SCBA mask from providing the required protection.

Does completing MSMWHS216 qualify me as a rescue operator?

Not by itself. Additional rescue, emergency-response, first-aid, gas-testing or confined-space competencies may be required depending on the role.

The practical answer

An MSMWHS216 Statement of Attainment does not automatically expire after 12 months.

However, SCBA is a specialised and safety-critical practical skill. Workers must remain competent, properly face fitted, familiar with the equipment and capable of responding to faults, alarms and emergencies.

For most Western Australian workplaces, annual refresher training and reassessment is the appropriate benchmark. More frequent practical drills may be necessary where SCBA is used for emergency response or where workers rarely operate the equipment.

To discuss initial or refresher SCBA training in Western Australia, contact Safety Heights and Rescue Training – RTO 52610 through www.rescue-training.com.au.

This article provides general information only. Workplace risk assessments, equipment-manufacturer instructions, site procedures and the requirements of the employer, mine operator, principal contractor or site owner must also be followed.