Off-site Rescue Services
The emergency services should be familiar with the exact site location, types of permit-required confined spaces and the necessary rescue equipment.
Pre-planning will ensure that the emergency service is capable, available and prepared. If the employer relies on an off-site rescue service, the employer must contact the provider to verify they are available to conduct rescue operations if requested. The verification task is usually assigned to the entry supervisor. If the off-site rescue service indicates for any reason that it would be unable to respond to a rescue summons, entry must not be authorized unless and until an adequate back-up rescue service is arranged and confirmed.
For Emergency Service Providers
The following are some questions responders should be able to answer when an employer requests their services:
- Are you able to respond and conduct a rescue in a timely manner based on the site conditions?
- Do you have the appropriate equipment for response and rescue, such as: atmospheric monitors, fall protection, extraction equipment, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for the particular permit-required confined spaces?
- Are you prepared for the hazards the employer has identified?
- Atmospheric hazards (e.g., flammable vapors, low oxygen)
- Electrocution (e.g., unprotected, energized wires)
- Flooding or engulfment potential
- Poor lighting
- Fall hazards
- Chemical hazards
- Are you trained for the hazards identified by the employer?
- Hazard Communication training (HAZCOM)
- Respiratory Protection training
- Hazardous Material training
- HAZWOPER training
- Hazard recognition
- Can you cope with other hazards the company may have identified on the site?
- Do you need to develop a new procedure for these hazards/conditions?
- Has the employer provided you with the exact location of the work site?
- Information on access routes, gates or landmarks
- A project site plan if necessary
- GPS coordinates if in a remote location
- Can you visit the site and hold a practice rescue?
- Does the company know the best way to contact you?
- How would the company communicate any changes to site conditions throughout the project?
- Could other emergencies or group training preclude you from responding and how will that be communicated?
OSHA encourages all emergency service providers to work closely with employers who request their services for permit-required confined space rescues. Pre-rescue planning, communication, and effective coordination of rescue activities are critical in the event that a life-threatening incident should occur.
Private sector commercial emergency service providers are covered by Federal OSHA and must comply with the provisions of 1926.1211. State and local government emergency service providers in a state with an OSHA approved state plan must comply with these requirements. See OSHA's State Plans Webpage for information on state-plan requirements.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
8-7. If the off-site rescue service cannot respond to a rescue summons, entry must not be authorized unless and until _____.
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