MSMWHS216 – Operate breathing apparatus
This unit teaches the skills and knowledge needed to safely operate and maintain breathing apparatus in irrespirable or hazardous atmospheres. Training covers pre-donning checks, correct donning/doffing, monitoring air use, fault management, and concluding operations in line with procedures and standards.
Introduction:
In many industrial, mining, or emergency settings, there are environments where the ambient air is unsafe, such as confined spaces, areas with hazardous gas, or oxygen-deficient zones.
The MSMWHS216 – Operate Breathing Apparatus course addresses exactly that scenario. Participants will become competent in the correct and confident use of breathing apparatus, understanding its limitations, safety checks, and maintenance, while aligning with Australian standards (e.g. AS/NZS 1715).
This capability is critical for operations where breathing protection is non-negotiable. Ensuring operators can don, operate, monitor, and conclude usage of breathing apparatus safely enhances workforce safety, regulatory compliance, and emergency response readiness.
Target Audience:
This course is designed for:
- Personnel required to wear breathing apparatus as part of their role (e.g. in confined spaces or atmospheres with gas exposure).
- Workers in mining, chemical, industrial, infrastructure, and emergency response sectors.
- Operators, safety officers, or maintenance staff who may need to access hazardous environments under respiratory protection.
- Individuals upgrading their qualifications to meet site safety requirements.
Learning Outcomes:
- Conduct pre-donning tests and checks on breathing apparatus.
- Correctly don, operate, and monitor breathing apparatus in an irrespirable atmosphere.
- Interpret equipment gauges / indicators to manage available working time.
- Identify and manage faults, alarms, or changes in atmosphere, and take appropriate corrective action.
- Maintain communication (where required) while wearing apparatus.
- Safely conclude operations, remove apparatus, clean, inspect, and report faults or damage.
Learning Methods:
- Theory Instruction: Classroom or blended, covering principles, standards, safety, and procedures.
- Demonstration & Explanation: Trainer shows apparatus operation, checks, corrective actions.
- Practical Exercises: Donning/doffing, operating apparatus under simulated atmospheric conditions, responding to faults.
- Scenario Simulations: Emergency response, fault handling, communication under apparatus.
- Assessment: Written / verbal knowledge tests plus practical demonstration of breathing apparatus use.
Program Benefits:
- Delivers a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment in MSMWHS216.
- Prepares workers to safely operate breathing apparatus in hazardous atmospheres (e.g. gas, vapours, oxygen deficiency).
- Increases safety and reduces respiratory risk in high-hazard tasks or confined spaces.
- Enhances site capability, operators can respond to emergent conditions involving airborne hazards.
- Strengthens compliance with WHS regulatory frameworks and respiratory protection standards (AS/NZS 1715, etc.).
Content:
- WHS / workplace requirements, relevant standards (e.g. AS/NZS 1715)
- Equipment components, system function, limitations
- Pre-donning checks, tests, and setup procedures
- Donning, doffing, seal checks, air monitoring
- Communication strategies and protocols while under apparatus
- Fault detection, alarms, emergency procedures
- Concluding usage: shutdown, removal, cleaning, inspection, maintenance
- Documentation, reporting of faults, record keeping
Upcoming Workshops
| Name | Date | Time | Location | Available Spaces | Cost | |
| Operate breathing apparatus | 5 March 2026 | 09:00 am – 04:30 pm | Gardner Court Training Room | 8 | $250.00 | |
| Operate breathing apparatus | 19 March 2026 | 09:00 am – 04:30 pm | Gardner Court Training Room | 8 | $250.00 | |
| Operate breathing apparatus | 2 April 2026 | 09:00 am – 04:30 pm | Gardner Court Training Room | 8 | $250.00 | |
| Operate breathing apparatus | 16 April 2026 | 09:00 am – 04:30 pm | Gardner Court Training Room | 8 | $250.00 | |
| Operate breathing apparatus | 30 April 2026 | 09:00 am – 04:30 pm | Gardner Court Training Room | 8 | $250.00 | |
| Operate breathing apparatus | 28 May 2026 | 09:00 am – 04:30 pm | Gardner Court Training Room | 8 | $250.00 | |
| Operate breathing apparatus | 11 June 2026 | 09:00 am – 04:30 pm | Gardner Court Training Room | 8 | $250.00 | |
| Operate breathing apparatus | 25 June 2026 | 09:00 am – 04:30 pm | Gardner Court Training Room | 8 | $250.00 |