MSMWHS216 — Operate breathing apparatus
Practical breathing apparatus training covering SCBA and airline BA — donning, doffing, cylinder checking, emergency procedures and entry into IDLH atmospheres.
Course Overview
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to operate and maintain breathing apparatus and equipment in an irrespirable atmosphere, as defined by the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment.
This unit of competency applies to operators who are required to wear breathing apparatus because they are working:
View MSMWHS216 on training.gov.au →MSMWHS216 Operate breathing apparatus trains workers to correctly don, use, maintain and doff self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and airline breathing apparatus for entry into atmospheres immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH). This half-day course is a mandatory requirement for emergency response teams, rescue personnel and workers who may be required to enter or work in toxic, oxygen-deficient or flammable atmospheres across resources, processing and chemical industries in the Darling Downs and wider Queensland.
The training is highly practical, with each participant donning and operating SCBA equipment in a controlled training environment. Emphasis is placed on pre-use checks, face seal testing, low-pressure warning recognition and safe exit procedures when cylinder capacity is approaching limits.
What You'll Learn
- Understand the types of breathing apparatus — SCBA (open and closed circuit) and airline/supplied-air BA
- Perform a pre-use inspection of SCBA including cylinder pressure, regulator function, face seal integrity and warning alarm test
- Don and adjust a full-face SCBA correctly, including face seal positive pressure check
- Operate SCBA in a simulated work task and manage air consumption to ensure safe exit time
- Recognise and respond to the low-pressure audible warning alarm before cylinder runs out
- Doff SCBA correctly and perform post-use maintenance and storage
- Conduct buddy checks and assist an incapacitated BA wearer in an emergency
Assessment Method
Assessment is primarily practical — participants must demonstrate correct donning, face seal testing, operation under a simulated task, and doffing of SCBA equipment. A short written or verbal knowledge assessment covers BA types, inspection requirements and emergency procedures.
Prerequisites
None — open to all workers. Participants must be medically fit to use SCBA; a fitness to wear respiratory protective equipment assessment may be required by your employer. Facial hair that breaks the face seal will prevent SCBA use — participants should be clean-shaven for the practical component.
Who Should Attend
- Emergency response team (ERT) members on industrial, processing and mining sites
- Workers operating in chemical plants, refineries and gas processing facilities
- Confined space entrants working in IDLH atmospheres where supplied air is required
- Hazmat response personnel and industrial rescue team members
- Safety officers responsible for BA maintenance programmes and readiness audits