Craig Sear, Airport Senior Engineering Manager at London’s Heathrow, explains, “We believe that our senior maintenance managers and airport duty engineers should be trained to the same level as the people to whom they issue confined space working permits. This ensures that they not only understand the environment but they also understand the hazards and the complications that can arise. The Team’s work takes them underground and into service subways where they may be looking at ammonia charged refrigeration systems that supply aircraft with chilled water, as well as foul drains and pits and ducts to carry out maintenance or repairs on lighting, etc.”

He adds, “We use Draeger respiratory and gas detection equipment on a regular basis and have been attending Draeger training courses for a number of years, ensuring that we carry out refresher training every two years to meet legislative requirements. Having recently attended a confined space entry course in Draeger’s specially designed training environment, the Team commented that it was one of the best courses they had ever been on. Combining excellent theory with practical exercises, the course covered the hazards and safety procedures that can be found in real life scenarios and featured crawl galleries, sewers and manhole covers along with simulated environmental effects.”

Available throughout the UK, Draeger Training Courses cover everything from the selection, use and maintenance of gas detection equipment, breathing apparatus and airlines through to confined space entry procedures. First aid and emergency response are also featured together with training on the correct use of drug and alcohol testing equipment. Each course can be customised to suit specific hazards or unusual applications.

Further information is available from David Fenton, Draeger Limited, Ullswater Close, Blyth Riverside Business Park, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 4RG.
Tel: 01670 352891. Fax: 01670 356266