Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Course

• Duration – 1 day
• Cost – £210
• Location – Derby, On-Site, Nationwide Locations
• Certification – In house qualifications
• Valid For – 1 year
• Max Numbers – 10
• Equipment – delegates MUST be clean shaven. CLEAN PPE – personal protective equipment / clothing; hard hat (with effective chin strap), coverall and protective footwear, gloves, protective eye wear and knee pads

Delegates will be required to wear, carry, operate and breathe using a designated Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) within a controlled training simulator. This will involve wearing approved breathing apparatus, including a face mask and full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Learning Outcomes and Competencies:
Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of:

• The hazards SCBA is designed to protect against and the potential health effects of exposure to these hazards.
• The necessity of using SCBA for specific tasks and the situations in which it must be deployed.
• The wearer’s responsibilities for the correct use, care, and maintenance of their personal protective equipment (PPE).
• The importance of selecting the appropriate type of SCBA, including the need for face fit testing where applicable.
• The risks to the wearer if SCBA is not properly worn, used or consistently maintained while in contaminated areas.
• How SCBA functions, its capabilities and its limitations.
• Identifying and responding to faults or defects in SCBA equipment.
• Conducting pre-use inspections and operational checks.
• Correct procedures for donning, doffing and checking the fit of the equipment.
• Emergency protocols while wearing SCBA.
• Proper cleaning, disinfection and post-use inspection of SCBA.
• Correct storage procedures to maintain equipment integrity.
• Reporting protocols, including how to report faults, request maintenance and obtain spare parts when necessary.

Training and Refresher Requirements:
Employers are required under Directive 89/656/EEC to ensure that all SCBA users and relevant personnel receive comprehensive information, instruction and training.

• Initial training will cover the safe and effective use of SCBA, tailored to the complexity of the device and the level of risk associated with its use.
• Refresher training should be conducted at least annually to maintain competency and up-to-date knowledge.

Medical Fitness Considerations:
Delegates and employers must disclose any pre-existing medical conditions that may affect SCBA use, such as:

• Claustrophobia
• Respiratory conditions (e.g asthma)
• Heart or circulatory issues

Given the physical demands of using SCBA — including the need to wear heavy equipment — a medical assessment should be conducted. This should include spirometry testing, with individuals displaying the following results being referred to an Occupational Physician:

• Forced Vital Capacity (FVC): more than 1 litre below the expected value
• FEV1/FVC ratio: less than 70%
• History of respiratory diseases (e.g. asthma)