How to Execute Confined Space Rescue?

Author: Ryan Leopold

"The difference between a hero and a fool is training"- City of Anderson, SC - Fire Department.

Confined space rescue is a section of technical rescue operations involving salvage of victims trapped in space like underground vaults, basement or underground space created by earthquake, storage silos, tanks, and sewers.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) enforces protective workplace safety and health standards.

The Act provides workers with the right to receive information, training about hazards, preventive methods as per the OSHA standards from OSHA or OSHA education center and request OSHA to inspect their workplace.

Confined space rescue training is a part of such occupational hazard and safety training standardized by OSHA.

OSHA delivers such training to private, public sector workers, supervisors, and employers through a national network of OSHA education centers.

The OSHA education centers are carefully selected through criteria like…

  • Experience in safety and health training
  • Location
  • Training facilities
  • Ability to provide training covering a given region

What Makes Confined Space Rescue Training So Important

Confined space rescues are incredibly challenging and need particular expertise because of the following…

1. Narrow, constricted point of entry preventing entry access.

2. Spaces are either unlit or poorly lit; rescuers need to carry lights.

3. Often contain hazardous gas or liquid.

4. Lack of oxygen/air. A person trapped in such a place after 4 minutes is likely to suffer from asphyxia resulting in brain damage, unconsciousness or death.

5. Two-thirds of deaths happen while ill-prepared/untrained people attempt to rescue victims.

3 types of Rescue Processes

1.Non-entry

Rescue is conducted without entering into the confined space with the help of a rope or winch.

2.Entry By Others

When companies do not have employees with confined space rescue training for an emergency rescue, they depend on others for such services, such as the Fire Department. Fire officials have the needed training to encounter the hazards, rescue equipment and also the PPE (personal protection equipment) that would be necessary.

3.Entry By Trained Employees Of The Company

Many companies have employees with Confined space rescue training to conduct rescues.

Emergency Evacuation and Rescue Procedures

a)Preparation Before The Work

Applies to non-entry and entry rescues. The preparatory stage ensures that…

  • The rescue team is familiar with the risks identified by the Pre-Entry Hazard Assessment.

  • 1. The confined space entry permit has been completed with the rescuers being aware of the same.

2. The required rescue equipment is available, has been inspected, found safe for use, and set up correctly.

  • The evacuation and rescue procedures are reviewed, attendants and any rescuers kept on stand-by.

  • The rescue system is appropriately set up, the rescuer is connected to the safety-line before entering the confined space.

b) Vertical or Horizontal Non-Entry Rescue Procedures

  • If communication is possible and the entrapped entrant is injured, enquire about the nature, cause of the injury and take necessary precaution while rescuing.

  • Use rope/winch to bring the trapped entrant out.

c) Vertical or Horizontal Entry Rescue Procedures

  • 1. Make an attempt to communicate (if possible) with the entrapped to understand about any injury, conditions existing there that may impede the rescue efforts.

  • 2. Check if respirators or oxygen supply are required.

  • 3. Ensure before entering that an attendant is in place outside the entry point to assist the rescue team.

  • 4. After entering into the confined space, the rescuer(s) should provide any first aid that may be required to stabilize injured entrant(s).

  • 5. Prepare the victim(s) for rescue. This may require the use of stretchers, etc.

  • 6. Attendant needs to operate the winching system to bring out the entrant(s) from the confined space safely with additional precaution in case of injury.

  • 7. Once out, provide any additional first aid required to stabilize the victim(s) until an ambulance arrives.

  • 8. Secure and seal the area, ensure that no one enters until it has been reassessed and declared safe.