Course Overview

The OPITO Authorised Gas Tester (AGT) Training course is designed to equip personnel with the necessary knowledge and skills to safely conduct gas testing for oxygen levels, flammable gases, and toxic gases in hazardous environments such as confined spaces and hot work locations. The course ensures compliance with industry best practices and regulatory standards, preparing individuals to work effectively as gas testers.
This training is essential for workers involved in gas monitoring, ensuring a safe work environment, and supporting operations that require atmospheric testing.

Target Audience

This course is intended for:

• Workers involved in hot work operations
• Confined space entry personnel
• Gas testers and safety observers
• Permit-to-work issuers
• HSE officers and supervisors
• Fire watch and standby personnel

Course Objectives:

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Understand the hazards associated with flammable, toxic gases, and oxygen deficiency.
Define hot work and confined space operations that require gas testing.
Identify the roles and responsibilities of a gas tester, fire watcher, and standby personnel.
Demonstrate the correct use, calibration, and maintenance of gas detection equipment.
Interpret gas test results and determine safe working conditions.
Apply gas testing procedures in accordance with OPITO standards.
Respond appropriately to abnormal gas readings and implement emergency actions.

Course Structure

The training consists of four mandatory units that learners must complete:

Unit OIS-102: Authorised Gas Tester

Understanding relevant legislative controls

• Confined space criteria and associated hazards
• Risk assessment procedures before testing and confined space entry
• Safe systems of work, including permit-to-work and emergency response plans
• Selection and use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) selection and use
• Safe working practices in hazardous environments

Unit OIS-103: Testing for Flammable Gas in Preparation for Hot Work

• Defining hot work and identifying activities that require gas testing
• Hazards and properties of flammable gases, including vapour cloud movement
• Carrying out gas tests and monitoring during hot work
• Selection of appropriate gas detectors for hot work conditions
• Acceptable levels of flammable gases and oxygen levels
• Placement of gas detectors for continuous monitoring

Unit OIS-104: Confined Space Testing

• Hazards and properties of confined space gases (flammable, toxic, oxygen-deficient, and enriched atmospheres)
• Gas behavior in confined spaces (heavier-than-air, lighter-than-air, and neutral buoyancy)
• Performing gas tests in sequence: Oxygen, Flammable, and Toxic gases
• Sampling confined spaces at different levels to ensure accurate testing
• Correct use and placement of gas detection equipment
• Testing for hydrocarbons in inert atmospheres

Unit OIS-105: Gas Monitoring

• Providing safety watch duties during gas testing operations
• Responsibilities of the Fire Watch and Standby Person
• Monitoring the atmosphere during operations
• Understanding PPE selection and use for toxic and flammable gases
• Regular communication and reporting abnormal conditions
• Completion of gas testing documentation and compliance with regulatory requirements

Course Duration:

16 Hours (Including theoretical instruction, practical exercises, and assessment).

Why Choose This Course?

• Industry-Recognized Certification: OPITO certification is globally recognized in the oil & gas sector.
• Hands-on Training: Participants will use real-world gas detection equipment in simulated environments.
• Expert Trainers: Delivered by experienced industry professionals with OPITO accreditation.
• Regulatory Compliance: The course aligns with industry best practices for gas testing safety.