27 Mar Confined Space Entry – Don’t Become a Rescue Victim

Confined Space Entry

Don’t Become a Rescue Victim

Confined spaces can contain hazardous atmospheres and other conditions capable of causing unconsciousness or death with little or no warning. One of the greatest dangers occurs when an untrained or improperly equipped person attempts to rescue a worker who has been overcome inside the space.

Consider this situation: You are the attendant stationed outside a permit-required confined space. Several authorized entrants are working inside. During your routine communication check, they suddenly fail to respond. Looking into the space, you see that one or more workers have collapsed.

Your first instinct may be to enter and help them. Do not enter the space.

Whatever caused the entrants to collapse may overcome you just as quickly. Entering without the required training, equipment, authorization, and rescue procedures can turn one emergency into multiple fatalities.

Responsibilities of the Attendant

The attendant must remain outside the permit space and perform the duties assigned under the confined-space entry procedure. The attendant should:

• Maintain communication with authorized entrants.
• Keep track of personnel inside the space.
• Monitor conditions inside and outside the space for hazards that could affect entrants.
• Order entrants to evacuate when a prohibited condition or other dangerous situation develops.
• Immediately summon the designated rescue service when entrants may need assistance.
• Prevent unauthorized persons from entering the space.
• Remain outside the space until properly relieved by another authorized attendant.
• Perform non-entry rescue when required by the rescue procedure and when it can be performed safely using retrieval equipment.

The attendant must never enter the permit space to perform a rescue unless specifically authorized, trained, and equipped for entry rescue and relieved of attendant duties in accordance with the rescue plan.

Non-Entry Rescue

Whenever feasible, rescue should be performed without another worker entering the confined space.

Depending on the configuration of the space and the hazards involved, retrieval equipment may include:

• Full-body harnesses;
• Retrieval lines;
• Mechanical retrieval devices;
• Tripods, davits, or other approved anchorage systems; and
• Other equipment appropriate for the specific space.

Retrieval equipment must be properly selected, inspected, and set up before entry when required. Do not attempt to manually pull an unconscious worker from a space unless the established rescue procedure allows it and the rescue can be accomplished safely.

Before Anyone Enters

A permit-required confined space must be evaluated and appropriate controls established before entry. Depending on the hazards, precautions may include:

• Completing the required entry permit.
• Identifying actual and potential hazards.
• Isolating the space from hazardous energy and materials.
• Applying lockout/tagout where required.
• Testing the atmosphere with properly calibrated equipment before entry.
• Testing for oxygen content, flammable gases or vapors, and potential toxic contaminants in the appropriate order.
• Continuously or periodically monitoring the atmosphere as required by the hazards and work being performed.
• Providing adequate ventilation when necessary.
• Establishing reliable communication between entrants and the attendant.
• Providing required PPE and respiratory protection.
• Controlling engulfment, electrical, mechanical, thermal, fall, and other physical hazards.
• Providing safe means of entry and exit.
• Establishing appropriate barricades or controls around openings.
• Ensuring required rescue and emergency services are available.

Atmospheric test results and other required information should be documented on the entry permit.

Rescue Must Be Planned Before Entry

A confined-space emergency is not the time to develop a rescue plan.

Before entry begins, workers must know:

• How an emergency will be recognized;
• How entrants will be notified to evacuate;
• How the attendant will summon rescue services;
• What retrieval equipment will be used;
• Who is authorized to perform rescue;
• How rescuers will safely enter when entry rescue is necessary; and
• How emergency medical assistance will be obtained.

Workers assigned rescue responsibilities must receive the required training and have the equipment necessary to perform their assigned duties safely.

Remember

If a worker collapses inside a confined space, do not become the next victim. Never abandon your attendant responsibilities and enter impulsively to attempt a rescue.

Recognize the emergency, summon the designated rescue service, initiate established non-entry retrieval procedures when appropriate, and follow the confined-space rescue plan.

Your job as the attendant is to help ensure everyone who enters the space comes back out safely—including you.