Confined Space Rescue Operations | Steps | Equipment List | Checklist

1. PURPOSE

1.1       This procedure outlines mandatory requirements for confined space rescue operations.

2. Confined Space Rescue Operations | Steps | Equipment List | Checklist

2.1        This procedure applies to all Company, contractor and other third party personnel working on or within an Company’ facility. When working on 3rd party sites, Company personnel will follow the more stringent of the 3rd party policy or this Company procedure.

3. DEFINITIONS

3.1        Breathing Apparatus – For the purpose of this procedure, “breathing apparatus” will mean a positive pressure system with either breathing air supplied from a cylinder mounted on a harness worn by the user, complete with full face mask and gauge to show contents of the cylinder, or, systems comprising of helmets or full face masks worn by the user and connected to fixed air lines, commonly used by staff working in a potentially dangerous atmosphere, e.g., Emergency Response Teams, confined space work, etc.

3.2        Entry Rescue: Entry into a confined space is considered the breaking of the plane of an opening into the space by any part of the body. An entry rescue is any time you would anticipate that a rescuer would have to break the plane of the space with any part of the rescuer’s body in order to assist the entrant in leaving the space or facilitating a rescue operation.

3.3       On Site: For the purposes of having a Rescue Team “on site”, on site means

1. “within the plant fenceline” and available to initiate a rescue when notified; OR
2. where the facility is located inside an industrial complex that has, as part of its “mutual aid” arrangements, a designated team of individuals that are trained to perform confined space rescues, and their function is to perform confined space rescues at our facility.

3.3.1     For both situations, the designated rescue team must be available to initiate a rescue when notified and be properly included in the entry planning and site orientations as described in our procedures.

3.3.2     Actual time required to initiate rescue operations is specific to each entry and should be considered as part of the rescue plan. On-site is the minimum standard. If on-site is still too long because the site is too large, then the rescue planning should provide more stringent requirements.

3.4        Retrieval system: The equipment (including a retrieval line, body harness, wristlets, if appropriate, and a lifting device or anchor) used for non-entry rescue of persons from permit spaces.

4. SUMMARY

4.1        The Confined Space Rescue Plan (See Attachment 1) addresses rescue requirements for permit- required confined spaces. The rescue provider must be included in the development of the rescue plan.

4.2        On-site and outside service rescuers who enter permit-required confined spaces to perform rescue services must conform to requirements and be trained in functions that pertain to confined space rescue. Rescuers must be equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment and rescue equipment appropriate for the specific confined space being entered.

4.3       Non-entry rescue from a permit required confined space using retrieval system is preferred.

4.4        Mechanical lifting devices are required to retrieve entrants from vertical confined spaces more than 1.25 m (4 ft) deep and must be appropriate for rescue service.

4.5        Company personnel involved in entry-rescue operations must meet the training requirements outlined in 25-020534, as well as the requirements contained in this procedure.

5. PROCEDURE

5.1       Confined Space Rescue Plan

5.1.1    All confined space work must be carried out in accordance with 25-010533.

5.1.2     A risk assessment must be conducted to determine the appropriate rescue method (Entry versus Non-Entry Rescue). Non-entry rescue is generally preferred as it exposes the least number of entrants to any dangerous conditions which may have developed within the space. However, Non-Entry Rescue methods have limitations which must be considered when developing a plan. Non-entry rescue methods are generally limited to “line of sight” rescues and straight vertical or horizontal pulls. More complicated rescue scenarios may require an Entry Rescue method. See the decision tree in Appendix B for guidelines to assist in determining a rescue method.

5.1.3     The Confined Space Rescue Plan must be documented and address rescue for Permit Required Confined Spaces. Site management is responsible for the development of the rescue plan, and it must be reviewed during the pre-entry meeting.

5.1.4     All rescuers must be provided access (when possible) to confined spaces (or similar spaces) from which rescue may be necessary prior to the entry to facilitate the development of rescue plans and practice operations.

5.1.5     An entry rescue team (of at least two rescuers per shift) must be available on the site if entry is anticipated into a permit-required confined space in order to rescue entrants (Entry Rescue). Conversely, a formally trained rescue team is not required for confined space rescue entry operations in which rescue can be conducted without entry (Non-Entry Rescue).

5.1.6     Each site must evaluate the rescue capabilities (of the On-site Rescue Team and any Outside Services Rescue Team) and determine that it can reach the victim(s) within a timeframe that is appropriate for the confined space hazards and is properly equipped for and proficient in performing the required rescue. See Appendix A for guidelines on evaluating Rescue Teams.

5.2       Pre-Entry Drills

5.2.1     Each planned, permit required confined space entry operation shall include a practice rescue or drill prior to commencement of entry operations (whether entry or non-entry rescue). This drill is not required to be repeated for every shift where a drill has already been conducted involving the same rescue team members, equipment and rescue technique into the same confined space under the same permit. If rescue team members are replaced (i.e., shift change) another drill must be conducted to test the plan and execution of the new members.

5.2.2     Practice rescues should, to the full extent feasible, be as realistic as possible and include simulated rescue operations in which rescuers remove dummies or mannequins from the actual permit spaces or from representative spaces.

5.2.2.1 The purpose of conducting a pre-entry rescue drill is to ensure that rescuers have drilled in the necessary skills to perform the rescue safely and successfully. The drill will also serve as a function check of systems, equipment and notification methods prior to entry.

5.3       On-Site Entry Rescuers

5.3.1     On-site rescuers who enter confined spaces to perform rescue must be trained specifically in confined space rescue. Rescuers must be equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment and rescue equipment appropriate for the specified confined space being entered.

5.3.1.1 On-site rescuers who enter confined spaces to perform rescue services must be properly trained in Company confined space procedures and have current confined space entry training.

5.3.1.2 All personnel participating in Emergency Response and Confined Space entry-rescue must undergo health surveillance and fitness checks at frequencies determined by the Occupational Health practitioner/appointed Company doctor/Corporate Medical. A certificate of fitness shall be issued to the facility manager. Refer to EH&S procedures on Medical and Health Surveillance for details.

5.3.1.3 Entry rescuers must follow Permit Required Confined Space Entry Procedures in order to execute a rescue operation. To the extent that Company’ maintains control in an emergency, rescuers will sign in and out of a space and be subject to the control of the Attendant and Entry Supervisor (unless that command structure has been replaced by an outside, authority (i.e., Fire Department Incident Command).

5.3.2    Training for On-Site Entry Rescuers

5.3.2.1 All training must be provided by a competent person.

5.3.2.2 On-site rescuers must receive annual training and demonstrate competency in:

• Use of breathing air apparatus.
• Use of the personal protective equipment required for confined spaces.
• Use of the rescue equipment required for confined spaces.
• Performance of assigned rescue duties.
• Performance of entry procedures.
• Methods of extricating and rescuing victims.
• Hands-on practice of simulated rescue operations.

5.3.3    Basic First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

5.3.3.1 At least one entry rescue team member must hold current certification in first aid and CPR.

5.3.3.2 Basic First Aid and CPR training and certification must be from an approved course.

5.3.3.3 All rescuers must have current Bloodborne Pathogens training (annually in the U.S)

5.4       Outside Services Rescuers

5.4.1     When outside services rescuers are used to perform/assist rescues from confined spaces, they must be informed of the hazards they may confront prior to entry.

5.4.2     Rescue services may be provided by Company employees, contractors, or other rescue services (such as fire departments, public rescue teams, industry mutual aids). However rescuers must be on-site during the entry operations.

5.4.3     Contracted services are required to supply their own technical rescue equipment (such as rope, rescue hardware, respiratory equipment).

5.4.4    Training of Outside Services Rescuers

5.4.4.1 Training for rescue services must meet the same requirements or better than those specified for Company rescuers.

5.4.4.2 Access must be provided for the rescue services to all confined spaces from which rescue may be necessary so that appropriate rescue plans can be developed and to practice rescue operations. This can be achieved prior to a confined space outage.

5.5       Non-Entry Rescue

5.5.1    Non-entry rescue from a permit required confined space using retrieval systems is preferred.

5.5.2     The workplace risk assessment must address the suitability and safe use of certain retrieval devices for the specific case. Difficult access may prohibit easy use of retrieval lines, which could get caught around equipment or other persons.

5.5.3     Personnel expected to perform non-entry rescue must be trained and qualified to operate rescue equipment they are expected to operate in order to perform a rescue. Non-entry rescuers do not require the same level of training as entry rescuers. They must also be physically capable of performing the rescue duties expected of them. During non-entry rescue, personnel must be available on-site that hold current certification in first aid and CPR.

5.5.3.1 Non-entry rescue is acceptable in the following situations:

1. A situation exists where a victim can be pulled vertically from an opening and there is no possibility of the victim being dragged from the side of the opening or being hung up on piping or protruding objects.
2. Conditions are suitable for a victim to be pulled horizontally from an opening with no possibility of being dragged around or over obstructions such as piping or building supports.
3. The attendant can perform any or all of the rescue duties as described above without entry into the confined space area. No additional rescue personnel are required to be on-site during this type of entry.

5.5.3.2 Unsuitable situations for non-entry rescue are:

1. The space has obstructions or turns that prevent the retrieval line from pulling the entrant from the space.
2. The possibility exists for a victim to be injured because of forceful contact with projections in the space.
3. The retrieval line cannot be controlled to prevent entanglement with other lines such as air hoses to air supplied respirators, welding cables, drop light cords, etc.

5.6       Requirement for the Use of Mechanical Lifting Devices

5.6.1     Mechanical lifting devices are required to retrieve entrants from vertical confined spaces as identified in the Risk Assessment, but in all cases where the entry is more than 1.25 m (4 ft) deep. Mechanical lifting equipment must be appropriate for rescue service.

5.6.2     Entrants use full body harnesses with retrieval lines attached at the center of the entrant’s back near shoulder level.

5.6.3     The opposite end of the retrieval line from the entrant is attached to the mechanical lifting device or a fixed point outside the confined space so that rescue can begin immediately.

5.6.4     The use of cranes and other motorized lifting devices is prohibited for the extraction of an entrant from a confined space.

5.6.5     Wristlets may be used instead of a full body harness if it can be demonstrated that use of a body harness is not feasible or proves a greater safety hazard and that wristlets are a safer alternative (unless specified otherwise by national legislations).

5.7       Maintenance

5.7.1     All equipment used in any Emergency Response or Confined Space operation must be incorporated into a Planned Inspection and Maintenance program (refer to 25-012001).

5.7.2     Maintenance and inspection methods and frequencies of rescue equipment must be in accordance with its individual manufacturer’s recommendation. If none is specified, equipment shall be inspected monthly. Equipment without manufacturers instructions shall, at a minimum, be inspected for cleanliness, function and serviceability.

5.7.3    Inspections shall be documented.

5.7.4    Repairs shall only be made as recommended by the manufacturer.

6. RELATED INFORMATION

6.1       Company EHS&Q Documents

25-010533                     Permit-Required Confined Space Entry

25-012001                     Planned Inspection and Maintenance

25-020534                     Confined Space Rescue

The following forms, referenced in this procedure, are available on-line at the  Field EH&S Intranet site:

Appendix A Evaluation of Rescue Services

This appendix provides guidance in evaluating a rescue service. It contains criteria that may be used to evaluate the capabilities both of prospective and current rescue teams.

The evaluation should consist of two components:

• An initial evaluation, to decide whether a rescue service or team is adequately trained and equipped to perform permit space rescues of the kind needed at the facility and whether such rescuers can respond in a timely manner.
• A performance evaluation, to measure the performance of the team or service during an actual or practice rescue.

Initial Evaluation

Meet directly with the rescue service to complete the evaluation. Merely posting the service’s number or planning to rely on the local emergency phone number (For example: 911) to obtain these services at the time of a permit space emergency is not acceptable. Rescue services must be on site during entry operations.

The capabilities required of a rescue service vary with the type of permit spaces from which rescue may be necessary and the hazards likely to be encountered in those spaces. Answering the questions below will help determine if the rescue service is capable of performing rescues in the permit spaces present at the workplace.

10. What are the response time requirements (time for the rescue service to receive notification, arrive at the scene, and be ready for entry)? For example, if entry is to be made into an IDLH atmosphere, or into a space that can quickly develop an IDLH atmosphere (if ventilation fails or for other reasons), the rescue team or service would need to be standing by at the permit space. On the other hand, if the danger to entrants is restricted to mechanical hazards that would cause injuries (e.g., broken bones, abrasions) a response time of 10 or 15 minutes might be adequate.
11. Can the rescue team respond to the rescue site within the response time requirements? Relevant factors to consider would include: the location of the rescue team on . Potential bottlenecks or traffic congestion that might be encountered in transit, the reliability of the rescuer’s vehicles, and the training and skill of its drivers.
12. How soon after notification can a rescue service dispatch a rescue team to the entry site?
13. Is the rescue service available? If the rescue service becomes unavailable while an entry is underway, does it have the capability of notifying the Entry Supervisor so they can instruct the attendant to stop entry operations immediately?
14. Is the rescue team willing to perform rescues at the workplace? (You may not rely on a rescuer who declines, for whatever reason, to provide rescue services.)
15. Is an adequate method for communications between the attendant, site and rescuer available so that a rescue request can be transmitted to the rescuer without delay?
16. For rescues into spaces that may pose significant atmospheric hazards and from which rescue entry, patient packaging and retrieval cannot be safely accomplished in a relatively short time (15-20 minutes), consider using airline respirators (with escape bottles) for the rescuers and to supply rescue air to the patient. If you decide to use SCBA, is there an ample supply of replacement cylinders and procedures for rescuers to enter and exit (or be retrieved) well within the SCBA’s air supply limits?
17. If the space has a vertical entry over 5 feet in depth, can the rescue service properly perform entry rescues? Does the service have the technical knowledge and equipment to perform rope work or elevated rescue, if needed?
18. Does the rescue service have the necessary skills in medical evaluation, patient packaging and emergency response?
19. Does the rescue service have the necessary equipment to perform rescues, or must the equipment be provided by the site or another source?

Performance Evaluation

Confined Space Rescuers must conduct a pre-entry drill. As part of each practice session, the service should perform a critique of the practice rescue so that deficiencies in procedures, equipment, training, or number of personnel can be identified and corrected. The results of the critique, and the corrections made to respond to any deficiencies should be used to determine whether the rescue service meets the rescue needs.

The following questions will help evaluate performance.

 

1. Have all members of the service been trained as permit space entrants, at a minimum, including training in the potential hazards of all permit spaces, or of representative permit spaces, from which rescue may be needed?

 

2. Can team members recognize the signs, symptoms, and consequences of exposure to any hazardous atmospheres that may be present in those permit spaces?

 

3. Is every team member provided with, and properly trained in, the use and need for PPE, such as

SCBA or fall arrest equipment, which may be required to perform permit space rescues in the facility?

 

4. Is every team member properly trained to perform their functions and make rescues, and to use rescue equipment that may be needed in a rescue attempt?

 

5. Are team members trained in the first aid and medical skills needed to treat victims overcome or injured by the types of hazards that may be encountered in the permit spaces at the facility?

 

6. Do all team members perform their functions safely and efficiently?

 

7. Do rescue service personnel focus on their own safety before considering the safety of the victim?

 

8. If necessary, can the rescue service properly test the atmosphere to determine if it is IDLH?

 

9. Can the rescue personnel identify information pertinent to the rescue from entry permits, hot work permits, and MSDSs?

 

10. Has the rescue service been informed of any hazards to personnel that may arise from outside the space?

 

11. If necessary, can the rescue service properly package and retrieve victims from a permit space that has a limited size opening (less than 24 inches (60.9 cm) in diameter), limited internal space, or internal obstacles or hazards?

 

12. If necessary, can the rescue service safely perform an elevated (high angle) rescue?

 

13. Does the rescue service have a plan for each of the kinds of permit space rescue operations at the facility?

 

14. Is the plan adequate for all types of rescue operations that may be needed at the facility?

 

 

Appendix B

 

Entry Versus Non-Entry Rescue Guidelines

 

Draft Guidelines to help direct decision.

 

 

 

Entry

Rescue

Non Entry

Rescue

 

 

 

 

Multiple Entrants

Single Entrant

 

 

Space contains configuration hazards which obstruct retrieval lines

Line of sight entry. Entrant is limited in their entry to a straight vertical or horizontal retrival.

 

 

Entry requires turns and twists which would entangle retrieval devices.

No obstructions on the floor or walls which a victim would have to be dragged across.

 

 

 

 

Hazardous work activities

are taking place in the space which may injure an Entrant making physical retrieval of the victim by non-entry rescue methods more

hazardous to the Entrant (i.e. reasonable fall hazards).

Low risk work activities

 

 

 

 

Hazardous work activities are taking place in the space, or the space is so configured that a likely scenario is one where the victim would have to be

attended to immediately and could not be dragged from the space prior to receiveing first aid, CPR or supplied breathing air.

 

Attachment 1

 

 

 

Confined Space Rescue Plan

 

 

Confined Space Location	Safety Work Permit Number
Purpose of Entry	Date of Entry

 

Description of Entry:

(Example:  Vertical or horizontal entry, size of opening, at or above grade, scaffold required, etc.)

 

 

 

Method to Summon Rescue Team:

 

 

 

Rescue Techniques:      Entry Rescue         Non-Entry Rescue

 

 

 

Equipment Needed for Rescue:

(Example:  Rescue-matic/block and tackle, etc.)

 

 

 

Personnel Assigned to Rescue:

 

 

 

 

Rescue Team Action Items:

 

 

 

 

Pre-entry Drill:

A Pre-entry Drill was conducted specific to this entry involving the rescue team members (as designated above). Each shift where different rescuers or rescue teams are in place for this entry requires

a Pre-entry Drill.

 

Entry Rescue Guidelines

• At least two entry rescuers per shift must be on site at all times when a permit required confined space entry is anticipated into a permit-required confined space in order to rescue entrants.
• Prior to each shift or entry, the rescue team must be identified to the entrants and attendant.
• The rescue team must provide two functions:

1. Extract the entrant(s) from the space.
2. Treat the victims.

• The entry rescuer may work at the space assisting the entrants, but must not enter the space to work with the entrants.
• The Attendant must not be the designated entry rescuer, but may act to initiate rescue if non-entry rescue has been specified.

Non-Entry Rescue Guidelines

Non-entry rescue may not require trained entry rescue personnel to be on-site.

• Prior to each shift or entry, the rescue team must be identified to the entrants and attendant.
• The rescue team must provide two functions:

1. Extract the entrant(s) from the space.
2. Treat the victims.

• A non-entry rescuer MUST NOT enter the space to perform rescue operations.
• The Attendant may act to initiate rescue if non-entry rescue has been specified, however, they must maintain control of the entry point until they have been properly relieved as Attendant.

 

 

 

Confined Space Entry Supervisor Approval:               

 

Form 2026-12 (Rev 01/08)