A rescue plan must be in place and tested before anyone enters a confined space. The plan specifies how a person who becomes incapacitated inside the space will be recovered safely and quickly. Most confined space fatalities involve rescuers who entered without breathing apparatus to help a colleague and were themselves overcome. The rescue plan must include equipment, trained personnel, communication, and a tested procedure that can be executed within the critical time window.
Key Hazards
Rescuer death from entering a contaminated atmosphere without breathing apparatus
Delayed rescue due to untested plan, missing equipment, or untrained personnel
Suspension trauma from using a harness to extract a casualty through a narrow opening
Communication failure between the entrant, top man, and rescue team during the emergency
Control Measures
Produce a written rescue plan specific to each confined space before any entry is permitted.
Ensure rescue equipment including tripod, winch, breathing apparatus, and stretcher is positioned at the entry.
Train all rescue team members in the plan and carry out practice drills at regular intervals.
Assign a trained rescue team that is present on site throughout the duration of every entry.
Test the rescue procedure by conducting a simulated extraction using the actual equipment and space.
Ensure the top man can activate the rescue plan immediately without waiting for external assistance.
Include provisions for administering first aid and oxygen to the recovered casualty.
Maintain communication between the entrant, top man, and rescue team at all times during entry.
Review and update the rescue plan whenever the confined space conditions or entry method change.
Emergency / Rescue
If an entrant becomes unresponsive, do not enter the space without breathing apparatus. Activate the rescue plan immediately, use the tripod and winch to extract the casualty, and call 999. Administer first aid once recovered to fresh air.
Remember
Most confined space deaths involve rescuers who entered without protection to save a colleague.
The rescue plan must be tested by practice drill before the first entry takes place.
Rescue equipment must be assembled and ready at the entry point before anyone enters the space.
A trained rescue team must be on site for the entire duration of every confined space entry.
The critical rescue window is very short — delays of even minutes can be the difference between life and death.
Never enter a confined space to rescue someone without breathing apparatus and a tested plan.
Applicable Legislation: Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 · Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 · Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999