Water Companies have, for many decades, recognised the special hazards and risks associated with confined space working. The number of fatalities and injuries that occur in the water industry while people are working in confined spaces led to the enactment of specific legislation: The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997. These became law in 1998. A range of reliable and robust Policies Procedures and Arrangements (PPA's) have been developed within the water companies, designed to ensure that confined spaces work is carried out safely, in accordance with the regulations and with proper controls in place. Most work involving entry into confined spaces was previously undertaken by the water company's direct labour. Contractors were expected to abide by the rules specific to each water company leading to a diverse and inconsistent specification of skills, training and equipment being required of contractors before they could work across water company boundaries.

Water UK, the body representing water companies, acknowledged that a solution was required for contractors. As part of this solution an approach was agreed centred on four standardised classifications for confined spaces entries. Energy & Utility Skills (EU Skills) worked closely with Water UK to develop the National Occupational Standards for entry into confined spaces.

Registration on the Confined Spaces Entry scheme, one of a number managed by EU Skills as part of the Energy & Utility Skills Register (EUSR), denotes a level of technical competence and skilled expertise. It is an evidence based skills scheme that provides a record of the level of competence achieved. The scheme covers all industrial staff working on water infrastructure sites and now categorises some aspects in line with recent changes to industry engineering instructions.

Registration can be in one of five categories covering the full range of roles and activities involved in entry into confined spaces:

A confined spaces registration card is valid for three years from date of training.