Who is this training for?
This course is for personnel assigned to monitor confined-space entry during maintenance, shutdowns and industrial work. A standby man, also called an attendant or hole watch, remains outside the space and focuses on the safety of the people inside.
It is different from general confined-space awareness. The emphasis is on carrying out a defined monitoring role, keeping reliable records and communicating with entrants and the entry supervisor.
What will you learn?
Training follows the entry process from the pre-entry briefing through monitoring, relief and emergency escalation.
- Recognise oxygen, toxic-gas, flammability, engulfment and physical hazards, including signs that an entrant may be in difficulty.
- Read the entry plan and permit so the required controls, communication arrangements and emergency actions are understood.
- Maintain an accurate entry/exit log and a continuous count of the people inside; prevent unauthorised entry.
- Use agreed radio or other communication methods, report changing conditions and arrange a clear handover to a qualified replacement.
- Recognise alarms, order evacuation when required and summon the designated rescue or emergency team.
Does a standby man enter the space to rescue someone?
The standby role is performed from outside the space. An emergency calls for raising the alarm, directing evacuation and activating the rescue plan, rather than an improvised entry that creates another casualty.
Training addresses non-entry retrieval arrangements where applicable and the limits of the attendant’s role. Entry rescue requires a separately trained, equipped and authorised rescue team; this course does not replace rescue-team training.
How does the role fit Aramco project requirements?
Confined-space entry is linked to the work permit system, the entry plan and the responsibilities assigned to each member of the team. Relevant project requirements include the applicable Aramco Construction Safety Manual and GI 2.100 work permit arrangements.
Course completion supports preparation for the role. Assignment to a specific site still depends on the contractor’s competency checks, current project requirements and authorisation.
What can assessment involve?
Knowledge questions and workplace scenarios can check permit understanding, entrant accounting, communication, evacuation decisions and emergency escalation. Practical activities depend on the delivery arrangement. Assessment format and certificate requirements are confirmed with the training booking.
How can HSE Promo help arrange training?
Send your city, country and whether you need an individual place or team training. HSE Promo checks suitable arrangements, any practical assessment requirements, the earliest available dates and fees, then gets back to you with options.
Safety references
Reviewed 25 October 2026. Current site procedures and the agreed training programme determine the requirements for a particular assignment.