Authorised Gas Tester (AGT)

Course Goal/Description

This course ensures that those personnel working towards the role of Authorised Gas Tester (AGT) have the underpinning knowledge to conduct gas tests for oxygen levels, flammable and toxic gases safely, and conduct gas testing within confined spaces and in preparation for, and during, hot work. The course also provides learners with knowledge on legislative requirements, gas measuring and monitoring equipment, and gas testing documentation requirements.

Learning Objectives

This Authorised Gas Tester course comprises 5 modules:

• Module 1: Legislative Controls and Safe Systems of Work
• Module 2: Gas Testing and Monitoring Equipment
• Module 3: Gas Testing for Hot Work
• Module 4: Gas Testing in Confined Spaces
• Module 5: Gas Monitoring

Learning Outcomes:

Module 1: Legislative Controls and Safe Systems of Work
To successfully complete this module, you must be able to demonstrate your understanding of:

• Confined space criteria
• The type of operations being tested for flammable and toxic gases
• The hazards of operations within an oxygen-enriched, oxygen-deficient, toxic or flammable environment
• Carrying out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment
• Understand the safe systems of work, how to work within the safe system of work and the associated responsibilities
• The implications of statutory and organisational requirements
• Interpreting operational requirements
• How to select, use and care for PPE and RPE
• Accessing and interpreting operational instructions

Module 2: Gas Testing and Monitoring Equipment
To successfully complete this course, you must be able to demonstrate your understanding of:

• The operating principles of atmosphere monitoring and measuring equipment and failure modes
• The strengths and weaknesses of various types of atmospheric flammable and toxic gas detection equipment
• Detectors used for the flammable product
• Correct selection of aspirating or non-aspirating detectors to obtaining representative atmosphere sample
• Equipment required for testing for hydrocarbons in inert atmospheres
• Gas detector pre-start checks
• Determining the extent of the test boundaries
• Calibrating the instruments used in atmospheric testing
• Sources of assistance during the event of damaged or defective equipment
• Interpreting normal and abnormal results
• Documenting the results and advising relevant personnel

Module 3: Gas Testing for Hot Work
To successfully complete this course, you must be able to demonstrate your understanding of:

• Hot work (any operation involving naked flames or producing heat and/or sparks or any operation that has spark potential)
• Type of operations being tested for flammable and toxic gases
• The principles of hot work gas testing
• Acceptable levels of flammable gases and the correct amount of oxygen
• Carrying out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment
• How to set up the relevant detectors for each gas testing application and confirm functioning correctly
• The range and frequency of tests and monitoring and retesting requirements
• Where to site portable or transportable equipment that will be used to continuously monitor the atmosphere

Module 4: Gas Testing in Confined Spaces

To successfully complete this course, you must be able to demonstrate your understanding of:

• The hazards and properties of flammable and toxic gases
• The behaviour of different gases
• The range and frequency of tests and monitoring and retesting requirements after initial entry
• Acceptable levels of flammable gases and the correct amount of oxygen
• The implications of WEL for toxic gases and LEL for flammable gases
• How to set up the relevant detectors for each gas testing application and confirm functioning correctly
• Performing gas tests in sequential order
• How to obtain representative atmosphere samples
• Taking various samples to locate varying concentrations of gases and vapours
• Importance of sampling confined spaces at a distance
• Testing flammable gases in inert atmospheres
• Where to site portable or transportable equipment that will be used to continuously monitor the atmosphere

Module 5: Gas Monitoring

To successfully complete this course, you must be able to demonstrate your understanding of:

• Roles and responsibilities of the Fire Watch
• Roles and responsibilities of the Standby Person
• Responsibilities of the Gas Monitor role
• The potential arrival of flammable gas or vapour clouds at the hot work site
• Impact of environmental changes on working conditions
• Importance of checking controls on the equipment are as specified
• Importance of regular communication
• Sources of assistance and specialist support
• Completion of relevant documentation