Confined Space Rescue Plan

Confined space rescue plan

Overview:

This lesson discusses procedures for confined space rescue operations and emphasizes the need for safe operating procedures . Practice and proficiency using mechanical- all will advantage systems, anchors, and rescue equipment is critical to the safety of all response personnel involved.

Objectives:

  1. List the five priorities for emergency rescue operations.
  2. Explain the three types of confined space rescue.
  3. Identify specific rescue situations requiring special consideration.
  4. Explain anchor and rigging systems.
  5. Describe basic hand signals used during confined space rescue operations.
  6. Described basic rescue safety rules

Confined spaces can be deadly.

Many people are killed or seriously injured while working in confined spaces each year . According to the Workplace Safety and Health Council , 10 per cent of workplace fatalities were due to work-related accidents in confined spaces.

These fatal accidents happened across a wide range of industries: from complex plants to simple storage vessels. Those killed were not only people who worked in confined spaces but also others who tried to rescue them. Therefore good safety practices should be implemented to ensure a safe working environment for everyone.

Contributing factors to fatalities from confined space accidents:

  • Absence of risk assessment prior to work commencement,
  • Inadequate safe work procedures and emergency response plans;
  • Absence of atmospheric testing prior to entry;
  • Inadequate or absence of mechanical ventilation;
  • Lack of proper supervision;
  • Inadequate training;
  • Lack of control of contractors and sub-contractors;
  • Co-workers performing rescue without proper personal protective equipment and emergency
  • response measures.

REMEMBER: An unplanned rescue will probably be your LAST.

It is “A MUST” to have a written and established rescue operation plan on-site that includes equipment, such as retrieval devices, breathing and resuscitating apparatus, ready for emergency use immediately. The severity of accidents can be reduced with timely alerts from attendants outside the confined space. A well-trained and fully equipped rescue team can ensure a speedy response in an emergency.

Emergency Rescue – The change in perspective:

Emergency rescue from a confined space is a matter of life and/or death.  To this point we have concentrated upon routine entry and exit procedures. It may have appeared that we have not been making life and death decisions in these routine processes, but in fact, we have. When we routinely evaluate the space and perform the entry in accordance with the permit,weare making decisions that may mean the difference between a problem-freeentryand a body recovery. Many of these same thought processes that are required in the emergency rescue are also used in the routin entry. If that is the case,why is it so much more difficult to perform in an emergency setting? Lack of time is the critical factor. A sense of urgency is some times used as an excuse for making decisions or performing actions that place others at undue risk. Following are a few emergency rescue operation priorities.

The first priority is to keep all rescuers alive.  It may seem callous, but you did not create  this  situation.   It  is  your  job  to  do  everything  that  you  and  your  fellow rescuers can SAFELY do to help the victim.  However, there will be situations that you will not be able to help. It is critical that the person in charge of the rescue effort  recognize  when  the  risk  to  the  rescuers  sur passes  the  gain  to  the  victim.  When  the  risk  is  evaluated  to  be  too  great,  it  is imperative  that  the  person  in charge have sufficient character to delay or suspend the rescue effort even when that decision is unpopular.

Do not substitute emotion for intellect.  In many cases, the people involved in the emergency will be under a great deal of emotional distress. This is especially true if the victim is a co-worker.  Heightened emotion and a sense of urgency can also be a problem for the person in charge of the rescue.  Bystanders and co-workers of the victim may exert great pressure to act on the person in charge.  If the person in charge is not prepared for this, he/she may well get caught up in a flood of well- meaning but tactically incorrect thinking.

Don’t take shortcuts. As stated before, time is the enemy in rescue operations.  Don’t allow rescuers to take    shortcuts in appropriate procedures for the sake of saving time.  This is especially true in space evaluation.  If an emergency occurs in a  space,  a  permit-like  evaluation  procedure  needs  to  be  performed  unless  the cause for the emergency can be unequivocally identified.  Most of the time, short- cuts  don’t  save  all  that  much  time  anyway.  (Ever  get  lost  taking  a  “shortcut“?)  Rather  than  relying  on  shortcuts  to  shave  time  off  of  the  response,  practice, training, and preparation can maximize efficiency and enhance safety.

The  person  in  charge  may  chose  to  isolate  themselves. By being in a remote location, the person in charge can insulate himself/herself from the emotion of the rescue. Further more,  this  individual  can  choose  with  whom  they  will  interact.  There are no screaming bystanders or irate supervisors to deal with. Isolation may also improve access to communication  facilities,  technical  information,  or  other resources that may   prove  helpful in the effort. Isolation  is a matter of personal choice.  If the person in charge chooses to be at the     site of the rescue however, they  should  already   have  the  mental  mechanisms  in   place  to  deal  with   the distractions.

Preplanning and training:

The more your rescue team  knows  before  the  emergency,  the  safer and more efficient the rescue will be.  Especially if  you  are  an  on-site  rescue  team,  you  should know the hazards that you will be faced  with ahead of time. Equipment and   personnel requirements should also have been determined in advance. Preplanning will help to identify the needed equipment and personnel.  Training will turn equipment and personnel into a functional unit. While  it  is  impossible  to  anticipate  every situation, trained personnel with a well-rounded background in rescue principles will be able to address the emergency in as efficient a manner as possible.

Every person who is involved in  a  confinedspace  rescue   must  not   only  have   a  mental image of the technical aspects of the rescue, but should  also  anticipate  the  entire  range  of  emotional  reactions  that  one  would expect to encounter.  Most people who deal in the emergency arena daily indicate that the keys to being a successful emergency worker are the ability to concentrate under  pressure and the control of personal emotion. Once  these  hurdles  arecrossed, one can think clearly and allow their training and experience to dictate their tactical objectives.

Confined Space Rescue:

Confined space emergencies are  one of the  leading causes of multiple deaths in the workplace.   In most cases the emergency began with very few people in the space. Then  untrained  and/or  unprotected “rescuers”  added  to  the  problem  by entering the space and becoming victims them selves. As stated before, about 60 percent  of   victims  are  would-be   rescuers. Additionally a majority of these individuals are supervisors and/or senior personnel who should know  better. Oddly enough, there  are  many  cases  where  the  initial  entrants  survive  and  the would-be rescuers die.

The  regulation  mandates  that  an   employer  ensures  the  availability  of  rescue services prior to space entry. The rescue team may be from within the plant or may be from an outside agency.  Either way, a specific mechanism needs to be in place prior to entry that guarantees that rescue resources are available if needed.  Personnel assigned to an in-plant rescue team are to be provided with, and trained in the proper use of,the personal protective equipment necessary for  making rescues from the employer’s permit spaces.

If the employer decides to use an in-plant team, the employer shall ensure that the in-plant rescue team is trained to perform the assigned rescue functions and has received  the  training  required  for  authorized  entrants. Rescue  teams  should practice making permit space rescues at least once every 12 months by means of simulated rescue  operations.  In these simulated rescue operations, they remove dummies, mannequins or personnel through representative openings and portals.

The   size,  configuration,   and   accessibility  of   these  openings   should   closely approximate those of the permit spaces from which rescues may be required. 

Each  member   of  the  rescue   service  shall  be   trained  in  basic   first  aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.  At least one member of the rescue service holding current certification in basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) shall be  available  during  rescue  activities.  If  the  employer  chooses  to  use  outside rescue services, the employer shall inform the designated rescuers of the hazards they may confront when called to perform rescues the employer’s facility.  While no  specific  permit  is  required  for  rescue,  those  involved  in  the  rescue should review the entry permit and apprise themselves of the hazards they may encounter prior  to  entry.   This  is  especially  true  for  any  outside  services  that  may  not  be familiar with the particular space.

OSHA is aware that, from the viewpoint of elapsed time, in-plant rescue services are optimal.   They also realize that not all employers have the equipment and/or the personnel for such a team.  If an outside rescue service is used, their response time, their continuous  availability  during  the  entry,  and their rescue capabilities need to be established prior to entry.

A  specific  mechanism  for  summoning  the  rescue  service  is  required. In  most cases specific phone numbers, radio frequencies, or other type of communication medium  is  listed  on   the  entry  permit. The  attendant   is  responsible  for  that communication and should perform communications check prior to entry.

The employer shall provide access to all permit spaces from which rescue may be necessary  so  that the rescue service can develop rescue plans  and  practice operations. The employer shall also evaluate the response cabilities and training of the off-site response team.

Rescue Arrangements:

The risk assessment will determine what rescue arrangements are necessary. The arrangements will depend on the nature of the confined space, the risks identified and the types of emergency situations which are foreseeable. It is important to note the possible emergencies in the confined space, and any other foreseeable accident for a rescue operation. For example, the incapacitation of a person, wholly or partially, following a fall inside a confined space.

Possible confined space rescue strategies include the following:

  • Self-rescue when the circumstances, the nature of the hazards and the control measures available allow;
  • Rescue by team members (trained rescue personnel) using non-entry methods if feasible;
  • Rescue by team members (trained rescue personnel) using a safe entry technique; and
  • Rescue using a safe entry technique by the local public emergency services subject to adequate time being available (this depends on the nature of the hazards and the response time of the emergency services).

The risk assessment shall determine the combination of confined space rescue strategies appropriate for the particular situation.

It is important for suitable and sufficient emergency arrangements to take account of:

  • Rescue considerations;
  • Rescue logistics;
  • Training of rescue personnel;
  • Provision of rescue equipment; and
  • Provision of safety data sheet.

Types of Rescue:

There are three types of rescue that may be employed in the confined space setting:

1.   Self-rescue

2.   Non-entry rescue – external

3.   Entry rescue – internal

Self-rescue is when an entrant is capable of recognizing a hazard and is able to exit from the space with no assistance. Many times self-rescue involves the evacuation of a space when the entrant feels ill. In this situation the assumption is that a hazard within the space is causing the problem and that space evacuation is necessary until the problem is identified.

Obviously self-rescue has many advantages over the other two forms of rescue.  With  self-rescue,  emergency rescue personnel do not have to enter the space. Risky extrication and/or removal techniques are not required if self-rescue can be employed. Also, by virtue of the fact that the  individual is still conscious, the chances that the entrant will recover from the emergency  are  good. Hazard recognition can prevent serious exposure and injury.

The use of retrieval systems can be very effective in assisting in the rescue of an unconscious employee from a confined space. These systems allow rescue from outside  the  space. Here  a  problem  may arise in that in order to provide the greatest degree of safety, the  final  rule  requires  the use of retrieval systems or methods whenever an authorized  entrant  enters a permit space  except in situations in which retrieval equipment would increase the overall risk of entry or would not contribute to the rescue.

OSHA will use the following guidelines to make the determination for enforcement of this provision when inspecting permit spaces regarding retrieval systems:

1. A permit space with obstructions or turns that prevent pull on the retrieval line from being  transmitted to the entrant does not require the use of a retrieval system.

2. A permit space from which an employee being rescued with the retrieval system would be injured because of forceful contact with projections in the space does not require the use of a retrieval system.

A  permit space that was entered by an entrant using an air-supplied respirator does not require the use of a retrieval system if the retrieval line could not be controlled so as to prevent entanglement hazards with the air line.

However, exceptions from the  use of a retrieval system from    this standpoint may not necessarily exempt use of retrieval systems as described in 29 CFR 1910.134 (e)(3)(iii):

Persons   using   air   line   respirators   in   atmospheres   immediately dangerous  to  life  or  health  shall  be  equipped  with  safety  harnesses  and  safety lines  for  lifting  or  removing  persons  from  hazardous  atmospheres,  or  other  and equivalent provisions for the rescue of persons from hazardous atmospheres shall be used.  A standby person or persons with suitable SCBAs shall be at the nearest fresh air base for emergency rescue.

Non-entry  rescue, as the name implies, is rescue performed from outside the space. Prior to entry, retrieval systems and body harnesses should be in place in the event  that conditions  change. In  most cases non-entry rescue involves removal using these lines. It’s important to plan and conduct the entry with this form of rescue in mind. Pulley systems, tripods, and space entryways should be arranged so that there is minimal chance for line entanglement. Non-entry rescue cannot be used for an individual who is entangled, trapped, or bound-up within the space; it can be used for engulfment situations as long as the amount of engulfing material is small enough to allow the victim to be unearthed using line tension. In some cases non-entry rescue is another name for body recovery. Individuals who are trapped in “no entry spaces,” or are  in  locations  where  the  risk  of  entry  far outweighs the gain, may have to be removed

Entry rescue is clearly the form of rescue that presents the greatest risk to the rescuer. It entails  actually placing an individual into the hazardous space. Entry rescues should be avoided  whenever  possible. If entry rescue cannot be avoided, then SCBA, lifelines, harnesses, retrieval systems, and appropriate levels of protective clothing are required.

Planning and communication are vital in entry rescue. Since an entry is being made, all safety check protocols must be performed and an attendant will be required. If a change in the space is thought to have caused the emergency, appropriate  testing  and  monitoring  should  be  repeated. While  a

Characteristics When Deciding the Appropriate Rescue Plan:

It is important to consider the following characteristics when deciding the appropriate rescue plan for a confined space entry work:

Internal Configuration:

i. Open — there are no obstacles, barriers, or obstructions within the space. One example is a water tank.

ii. Obstruction — the space contains some type of obstruction that a rescuer would need to manoeuvre. For example, a baffle or mixing blade. Large equipment, such as a ladder or scaffold, brought into the space for work purposes would be considered an obstruction if the positioning or size of the equipment would make rescue more difficult.

Elevation:

i. Elevated — a permit space where the entrance or opening is above ground by 4 feet or more.
This type of space usually requires knowledge of high angle rescue procedures because of the difficulty in packaging and transporting a victim to the ground from the space.

ii. Non-elevated — a permit space with the entrance located less than 4 feet above ground. This type of space will allow the rescue team to transport an injured worker normally.

Portal Size:

i. Restricted — A portal of 24 inches or less in the smallest dimension. Portals of this size are too small to allow a rescuer to simply enter the space while using SCBA. The portal size is also too small to allow normal spinal immobilisation of an injured worker.

ii. Unrestricted — A portal of greater than 24 inches in the smallest dimension. These portals allow relatively free movement into and out of the permit space.

Space Access:

i. Horizontal — The portal is located on the side of the permit space. Use of retrieval lines could be difficult.

ii. Vertical — The portal is located on the top or bottom of the permit space. Rescuers must climb down or up the permit space respectively to enter it. Vertical portals may require knowledge of rope techniques, or special patient packaging to safely retrieve a downed entrant.

For confined space entry, it is important for the authorised manager to designate a standby worker; one or more workers who are trained in industrial first aid, and also trained in confined space emergency and rescue procedures. It is necessary that the designated standby worker be present and remain at the entrance to the confined space at all times while his co-worker is in the confined space.

The authorised manager shall ensure that openings for entry and exit to a confined space are of adequate size to permit rescue of all persons who may enter a confined space. The openings are not obstructed by fittings or equipment which could impede rescue. It is important that rescuers be trained in and follow established emergency procedures and use appropriate equipment and techniques (such as lifelines, respiratory protection, and standby person).

Conducting of Drills:

It is important that all parties involved in a potential rescue operation understand and agree on the emergency and evacuation procedures. It is necessary to include all steps for safe rescue in the confined space entry procedures. It is also critical for a rescue to be well planned and evidence to be made available that indicates drills have been frequently conducted on emergency procedures. A rescue drill in a confined space shall be held at least once in every 12 months. The record of such a drill should be kept and should include the time, date of drill, personnel involved, a short description of the drill and the evaluation of the drill.

It is also important to note that workers who are not trained in proper rescue procedures should not undertake or be permitted to undertake rescue operations.

Specific Rescue Problems:

There are many confined spaces that   would pose significant problems for rescue entry. Some  of  these rescues may be very complicated, thus pre-planning the rescue of each confined space on the premises will make the rescue procedure go smoothly, efficiently, and safely.

Vertical entry into tanks and vessels is relatively uncomplicated as long as a point of  attachment  can  be  made for a lifting  device. Attachment to roof members, booms, or tripods on the tank make lifting easy.Tripods,however, are designed to lift  from  the  center. A  problem will be  encountered if  the  patient  needs to be lowered  down  the  outside of the tank since the center of mass would  now be outside the tripod. Another point of attachment or manual  lowering will  be necessary.

Dikes or vertical walls present a problem in that there is usually no point of attachment for a lifting device. A point of attachment can be made by raising an extension  ladder above the wall, or by  using a boom truck, forklift, or  other elevated platform. If the extension ladder is used, make sure that the ladder is braced against lateral (side-to-side) movement.

Manholes are challenging because of  their limited entrance areas. SCBA backpacks may have to be removed and passed  though the hole to allow entrance. This is a very dangerous maneuver and should be attempted only by individuals specifically trained in this procedure. Finding a point of attachment for a lifting device may be a problem if a tripod is unavailable. This may be solved by placing two trucks side-by-side with the manhole in between.  A ladder could then be  placed  across the trucks to span the space above the manhole. If  this procedure is used, make sure the trucks are turned off and the vehicles isolated so that they do not move and their exhausts do not enter the space.

Atmospheres that contain corrosive chemicals are a threat to the nylon harness and rope material. In other atmospheres where skin exposure poses a threat to the  rescuers, chemical  protective  clothing must be donned prior to entry. The application of a body harness and lifeline to someone in a fully-encapsulated suit has its challenges. The bulky nature of the suit will also impede and  restrict movement in the space and in the space opening.

It is really important to determine the objectives of the rescue before making entry.  It is imperative for the leader of the rescue group, as well as each rescue team member, to evaluate all potential   hazards. The atmospheric conditions, entanglement and engulfment hazards, the circumstances of the accident, the time involved, and the probable victim outcome should all be given consideration prior to entry. Do not put the rescue team at undue risk to try to rescue a victim who may have already died.

Anchor and Rigging Systems:

Anchor“ means to secure ropes and equipmentof  the  rescue  system  to  something  that  is  solid and  will   not  fail   under  the   stress  of  loading. Rigging   is  the   system   of   rescue   ropes  and hardware attached to the anchor system. Anchors  must  be  the  strongest  link  within  your system. “Bombproof”  is  a   term  for   anchors strong enough to withstand any force the system may deliver to the anchor.

“Bombproof” Anchor Rigging:

A suspect anchor, or an anchor that may not be bomb proof, should be backed upwith  a  secondary  anchor. However, the use of several weak anchor points is undesirable and should be avoided. If one anchor fails, the shock loading will lead to failure of all points. If a secondary anchor is needed, it should be as strong or stronger than the primary anchor.

Good structural anchors include structural steel, davit arms, beams, stairwells, and heavy  hand  rails. Bulk concrete anchors are found in supports, columns, and corner  walls. Cast or insulated  small diameter pipes, corroded metal, small diameter hand rails, old brickwork,light metal supports, and vents are not bomb- proof anchors and should be avoided. A tensionless tie-off utilizes the friction generated by coils of rope wrapped around the anchor as a means of anchoring a rope. A 4:1 tensionless anchor requires a minimum of three (3) wraps of rope around an anchor that is at least four (4) times the diameter of the rope. All other rigging must have a backup rig.  If an anchor point has sharp edges, rigging should be padded.

Rigging Cautions:

  • Do not run nylon over nylon rigging.
  • Pad sharp edges as any bend under 4:1 weakens the rope (Spectra kevlar requires 8:1)
  • Avoid hard linking, that is, three (3) or more carabiners linked together.
  • Double check by sight and touch.
  • Keep it simple.
  • A pulley in rigging systems should always be backed up.
  • Angles greater than 120° cause extra load on anchors.

Team Members and Their Duties:

A haul or lower team requires two to four people depending upon the mechanical advantage of the system.  4:1 systems require up to    4 people.  Where as 5:1, or greater, systems require only two people.  Within this team someone needs to be designated for the following duties:

  • Person-in-charge or Incident Commander
  • Belayer and Safety Line
  • Hole watch/Attendant
  • Cam-person
  • Rescuer

Individuals may be required to cover more than one duty, such as, the Person-in- charge may also need to be the attendant or on the haul team.  This is dependent upon  the  number  of  personnel  available  and  the  type  of  rescue/rigging  system used.

As  in  any  efficient  operation,  communication  is  important.  Knowing  what  each individual  is   doing  and   their  responsibilities   is   vital.     Raising  and   lowering operations  have  specific  verbal  terms  used  and  are  said  by  specific  personnel. 

Rescue Safety Rules:

  • Don’t proceed without proper PPE, equipment, personnel, and training.
  • Make sure the confined space has been isolated.
  • Use SCBA/SAR if not certain the atmosphere is safe.
  • Do not use power equipment for human loads.
  • Attendant never enters the space unless first relieved by another attendant.
  • Have back-up rescue personnel available.
  • Don’t risk a life for a body recovery.  Weigh risk vs. benefit.
  • Entry rescue team personnel requireme0n is about seven people.

Roles and Responsibilities of Supervisors, Entrants and Confined Space Attendants:

The main role of the supervisor is to provide direct and close supervision of the entry operations performed by the entrants and confined space attendants.

Supervisors are responsible for:

a. ensuring that entrants and confined space attendants are briefed on the safety and health precautions to take prior to confined space entry and work;

b. authorising entry into confined spaces;

c. ensuring that entrants and confined space attendants adhere to entry procedures;

d. rescue equipment and appointed rescue personnel are available when confined space work is to be carried out;

e. implementing control and preventive measures to manage all identified hazards are implemented;

f. applying the entry permit and have it endorsed by the Authorised Manager before commencement of confined space work;

g. terminating the entry permit after completion of work.

Entrants are responsible for:

a. following entry and work procedures when carrying out work in confined spaces;

b. carrying a portable gas/vapour measuring instrument for continuous monitoring of the atmosphere in the confined space for the full duration of their work;

c. inform the confined space attendant of any unsafe atmospheric conditions / when any emergency situation arise; and

d. inform co-workers to evacuate from the confined space should the portable gas/vapour instruments’ alarm be activated due to unsafe atmospheric conditions.

Confined space attendant is to:

a. monitor entrants entering and working in a confined space;

b. maintain regular visual and or verbal contact with the entrants in the confined space;

c. inform entrants to evacuate the space should the need arise; and

d. alert the rescue personnel to activate the rescue operation in the event of an emergency.

Rescue Logistics:

It is important to give careful consideration on the means of raising the alarm and carrying out a rescue. This emergency plan needs to be suitable and sufficient for all anticipated accidents.

It is necessary to put in place measures that enable those in the confined space to communicate to others outside the space who can initiate rescue procedures or summon help in an emergency.
The emergency can be communicated in a number of ways, for example, by the tug of a rope, by radio or by means of a “lone worker” alarm. Whatever the system, it should be reliable and tested frequently. Depending on the risk assessment, it may be necessary to have one or more standby persons located outside the confined space whose function is to keep those inside in constant direct contact including visual where feasible, in case of an emergency.

It is also important to give careful consideration on the selection of an appropriate confined space rescue strategy. Retrieval using non-entry methods is preferable to rescue by entry and should be used where practicable.

Where entry is necessary, it is important to ensure the rescuers are protected from the risk of injury and to address any emergency situation.

Training of Rescue Personnel:

It is important for any person appointed to carry out any emergency arrangements to receive appropriate instruction and training to enable him to perform that role effectively. Such training includes first aid, CPR, the proper use of PPE and other equipment necessary for carrying out the rescue operation and as an authorised entrant. The level of training will vary according to the complexity and skill content of the role. It is necessary to conduct refresher training as often as possible to maintain an acceptable level of competence.

Familiarity with procedures and equipment is essential. It can be developed and fine-tuned by frequent drills and realistic simulation.

All rescue personnel need to understand the likely causes of an emergency. They will need to be familiar with the rescue plan and procedures developed for each type of confined space that they may encounter. They need to be able to rapidly size-up an emergency situation and evaluate their ability to conduct a safe rescue. These factors need to be given consideration in the development of a training programme. It is important to design the training in such a way that rescuers are capable to perform rescues in a safe and timely manner.

Rescuers need to be fully familiar with the equipment for use in rescue, communications or medical purposes and operation. They would need to check that the equipment is functioning well before use. It is important for potential users of breathing apparatus to receive appropriate formal training. It is critical for trained persons to carry out the resuscitation procedures efficiently. Designated first-aiders need appropriate current certification.

Provision of Rescue Equipment:

Suitable and sufficient rescue equipment is needed to respond to an emergency in a timely and safe manner. It is important to list the appropriate equipment for the likely type of emergencies in the risk assessment. It is crucial to maintain the rescue equipment properly and make them readily available whenever and wherever confined space work is undertaken.

For example, rescue equipment may include:

  • Full body harness with retrieval line attached;
  • Hand-cranked mechanical winch and tripod (required when entrant is five feet or more below the entrance);
  • Ladder;
  • Explosion-proof lighting;
  • Breathing apparatus;
  • Stretcher;
  • Approved head protection; and
  • Resuscitating apparatus.

Rescue equipment will often include SCBA. Its duration in use is governed by the size and number of cylinders and its type (open- or close-circuit).

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

It is essential to conduct a proper assessment of conditions and identify work processes that require additional protective equipment for the task to be undertaken. For example, the possibility of personal exposure to toxic substances and traumatic injury requires the consideration of full body protection.

It is necessary to provide appropriate first aid equipment and make available for emergencies. It is important to have first-aiders trained to deal with the foreseeable injuries.

It is essential to maintain and inspect all equipment provided for an emergency. Inspection also includes periodic examinations and tests according to the manufacturer’s instructions or the appropriate requirements of health and safety legislation.

The examination of ropes, harnesses, lifelines, protective clothing, and other special equipment will normally consist of a thorough visual examination of all their parts for deterioration or damage, in particular, on those parts that are load-bearing. It is necessary for the examinations to be carried out regularly and a record kept of them.

Click the below link to download the PPT and safety check sheet

confined_space_rescue

confined-space-rescue-plan

Confined space rescue drill

Confined space rescue

Confined Space

Confined space

What is confined space:

Generally speaking, a confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed space that:

  • is not primarily designed or intended for human occupancy
  • has a restricted entrance or exit by way of location, size or means
  • Can represent a risk for the for the health and safety of anyone who enters, due to one or more of the following factors:
    • its design, construction, location or atmosphere
    • the materials or substances in it
    • work activities being carried out in it, or the
    • mechanical, process and safety hazards present

Confined spaces can be below or above ground. Confined spaces can be found in almost any workplace. A confined space, despite its name, is not necessarily small. Examples of confined spaces include silos, vats, hoppers, utility vaults, tanks, sewers, pipes, access shafts, truck or rail tank cars, aircraft wings, boilers, manholes, manure pits and storage bins. Ditches and trenches may also be a confined space when access or egress is limited.

TunnelsWellsManholesCold StorageShip HoldsSubcellarsOpen DitchTanksCulvertsSilosVaults

hazards in a confined space?

All hazards found in a regular work space can also be found in a confined space. However, they can be even more hazardous in a confined space than in a regular work site.

Hazards in confined spaces can include:

  • Poor air quality: There may be an insufficient amount of oxygen for the worker to breathe. The atmosphere might contain a poisonous substance that could make the worker ill or even cause the worker to lose consciousness. Natural ventilation alone will often not be sufficient to maintain breathable quality air.
  • Chemical exposures due to skin contact or ingestion as well as inhalation of ‘bad’ air.
  • Fire Hazard: There may be an explosive/flammable atmosphere due to flammable liquids and gases and combustible dusts which if ignited would lead to fire or explosion.
  • Process-related hazards such as residual chemicals, release of contents of a supply line.
  • Noise.
  • Safety hazards such as moving parts of equipment, structural hazards, entanglement, slips, falls.
  • Radiation.
  • Temperature extremes including atmospheric and surface.
  • Shifting or collapse of bulk material.
  • Barrier failure resulting in a flood or release of free-flowing solid.
  • Uncontrolled energy including electrical shock.
  • Visibility.
  • Biological hazards.

Confined space more hazardous than working in other work spaces:

Many factors need to be evaluated when looking for hazards in a confined space. There is smaller margin for error. An error in identifying or evaluating potential hazards can have more serious consequences. In some cases, the conditions in a confined space are always extremely hazardous. In other cases, conditions are life threatening under an unusual combination of circumstances. This variability and unpredictability is why the hazard assessment is extremely important and must be taken very seriously each and every time one is done.

Some examples include:

  • The entrance/exit of the confined space might not allow the worker to get out in time should there be a flood or collapse of free-flowing solid.
  • Self-rescue by the worker is more difficult.
  • Rescue of the victim is more difficult. The interior configuration of the confined space often does not allow easy movement of people or equipment within it.
  • Natural ventilation alone will often not be sufficient to maintain breathable quality air. The interior configuration of the confined space does not allow easy movement of air within it.
  • Conditions can change very quickly.
  • The space outside the confined space can impact on the conditions inside the confined space and vice versa.
  • Work activities may introduce hazards not present initially.

Confined Space Hazard Assessment and Control Program:

To manage the risks associated with working in confined spaces, a Confined Space Hazard Assessment and Control Program should be developed and implemented. A Confined Space Hazard Assessment and Control Program, specific for the work being conducted, should be written for work in each and every confined space.

A Confined Space Hazard Assessment and Control Program should include the following:

  • Description of roles and responsibilities of each person or party (e.g., employer, supervisor, workers, attendant, and emergency response team).
  • Advice on how to identify confined spaces.
  • The identification and assessment of all potential hazards that may exist at the beginning of the work as well as those that may develop because of the work activities.
  • A plan to eliminate or control all identified hazards.
  • Training program for all the workers that will enter into the confined spaces.
  • The establishment of an entry permit system for each entry into a confined space.
  • Development of an emergency plan complete with training and equipment in case an unforeseen situation occurs.
  • An emergency response system.
  • Program review whenever there is a change in circumstances or at least annually, to identify program weaknesses and make any necessary changes to the program.
  • Record and documentation control.

Entry Permit System:

An Entry Permit is an administrative tool used to document the completion of a hazard assessment for each confined space entry. Someone fully trained and experienced in confined space work should complete the Entry Permit.

Before entering a confined space, an entry permit should be written. It should contain at least the following information:

  • The length of time the permit is valid for.
  • The name(s) of the worker(s) that are authorized to enter the confined space.
  • The name(s) of the attendant(s) (safety watch) and/or supervisor.
  • The location and description of the confined space.
  • The work that is to be done in the confined space.
  • Possible hazards that may be encountered inside and outside the space.
  • Possible hazards that may develop during the work activity.
  • The date and time of entry into the confined space and the anticipated time of exit.
  • The details of any atmospheric testing done of the confined space – when, where, results, date monitoring equipment was last calibrated. Ideally, calibration would be done just before each use. If this is not possible, follow the equipment manufacturers guidelines for frequency of calibration.
  • Hazard control measures, including the use of mechanical ventilation and other protective equipment needed and any other precautions that will be followed by every worker who is going to enter the confined space.
  • Means of communication between the persons working in the confined space and the attendant.
  • Emergency plan, and the protective equipment and emergency equipment to be used by any person who takes part in a rescue or responds to other emergency situations in the confined space.
  • A signature of a worker who did the confined space air testing. The signature on the permit would indicate that adequate precautions are being taken to control the anticipated hazards.
  • Authorization signature by the supervisor certifying that the space has been properly evaluated, prepared, and it is safe for entry and work.

The entry permit should be posted at the confined space and remain so until the work is completed. The employer should keep a copy of the completed permit on file.

What should happen when work is being done in a confined space?

There should be warning signs to prevent unauthorized entry to the confined space.

Anyone working in a confined space must be constantly alert for any changing conditions within the confined space. In the event of an alarm from monitoring equipment or any other indication of danger, workers should immediately leave the confined space.

Another worker, the attendant (also known as the Safety Watch or Standby), is posted outside the confined space and continuously monitors the workers inside the confined space. The Safety Watch has the following duties:

  • Understands the nature of the hazards that may be found inside the particular confined space and can recognize signs, symptoms and behavioral effects that workers in the confined space could experience.
  • Monitors the confined space and surrounding area and is on the look out for dangerous conditions.
  • Remains outside the confined space and does no other work which may interfere with their primary duty of monitoring the workers inside the confined space.
  • Maintains constant two-way communication with the workers in the confined space.
  • Orders the immediate evacuation if a potential hazard, not already controlled for, is detected.
  • Calls for emergency assistance immediately if an emergency develops.
  • Is immediately available to provide non-entry emergency assistance when needed.
  • Can provide entry rescue only after the most stringent precautions are taken and another Safety Watch is immediately available.

Should a worker leave a confined space for a short time (for example, coffee break, getting additional material for their work.), the confined space should be re-tested before the worker re-enters. If the confined space has been continuously monitored by equipment that can show the details of the atmosphere during the time absent from the confined space and this information can be seen from outside the confined space, it can be re-entered without retesting. If there is not continuous air monitoring then the hazard assessment needs to be repeated.

No confined space should be closed off until it has been verified that no person is inside it.

After exiting the confined space, the time of exit should be noted on the entry permit.

Emergency response precautions:

If a situation arises where there is a hazardous condition and the worker does not leave or is unable to leave the confined space, rescue procedures should be begin immediately.

The Safety Watch is qualified in confined spaces rescue procedures and will be available immediately outside the confined space to provide emergency assistance if needed. The Safety Watch should be familiar with the structural design of the confined space. The Safety Watch is in constant communication with the worker inside the confined space and will:

  • Have an alarm for calling for help.
  • Have all required rescue equipment (for example, safety harnesses, lifting equipment, a lifeline) immediately available and be trained in its use.
  • Hold a basic first aid certificate.
  • Can do Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

The detailed plan for emergency response to an injury or other emergency within the confined space should be described in detail in the Confined Space Hazard Assessment and Control Program.

Rescue the victims from outside of the confined space, if possible. No other worker should enter a confined space to attempt a rescue unless that worker is fully trained in the rescue procedures and is wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment. More than 60% of deaths in confined spaces are would-be rescuers, who are not fully trained and adequately equipped.

Another worker qualified in confined spaces rescue procedures must be present outside the confined space before the first rescuer enters the confined space. Do not use the same air as the confined space workers you are rescuing. Wear SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) or supplied air respirator with an escape bottle.

Training important for workers:

Yes, appropriate training is extremely important to working safely in confined spaces. Hands-on training should be an essential part of the confined space training.

Every worker that enters a confined space must be fully trained on the following:

  • Recognition and identification of potential hazards associated with the confined spaces that will be entered.
  • Evaluation and control procedures for the identified or potential hazards.
  • Set-up, use and limitations of all equipment such as emergency equipment, ventilation equipment (blowers), hazardous energy control, isolation and lockout equipment, and air quality monitors (e.g., Oxygen/combustible meters) that will be used while in the confined space.
  • Set-up, use and limitations of all personal protective equipment (e.g., full-body harness, respirators) that the worker will be using while in the confined space.
  • All safe work procedures for entering the confined space as outlined in the employer’s Confined Space Hazard Assessment Program.
  • Procedures to follow in the event of a situation developing that could present additional risk to the worker or an emergency.
  • The specific work to be done while in the confined space.
  • To work in a manner that will not endanger lives.

Workers with emergency rescue responsibilities will need additional specialized training. All confined space training should include some hands-on training with the safety equipment including the PPE and safety harnesses. Rescue procedures should be practiced frequently so there is a high level of proficiency. Employers should keep records of all confined spaces training including refresher courses.

Dos and Don ts-Confined space:

  1. In a confined space emergency, the first thing you should do is report the situation immediately to the entry supervisor, who will notify the emergency rescue team.
  2. If the entrants can perform a self-rescue safely, keep in contact with them throughout the entire procedure, and assist them in any way possible without actually entering the space.
  3. If a non-entry rescue is required and you are trained, equipped, and authorized to perform a non-entry rescue, proceed with this procedure, keeping in constant contact with entrants.
  4. If the space must be entered to rescue entrants, keep in contact with entrants, if possible, let them know that help is on the way, and wait for the rescue team to arrive.

  • Do not leave your post at the entry point to the confined space until the rescue team arrives.
  • Do not allow anyone except the designated rescue team to enter a confined space in an emergency.
Signage : Confined space

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Click the below link to know different confined space work permits formats

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Confined Space Industrial Accidents and its investigation videos

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Click below link for Investigation report

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Click below link for Investigation report

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