How to rescue in confined space
How to rescue in confined space, Before any entry in a confined space, it is essential to define the safety measures which need to be implemented in case of an emergency situation. Incident or accident. In particular, it is very necessary to develop a suitable rescue procedure and to define the evacuation rules for the entrant of the confined space.
Prior to any confined space entry, the measures to be implemented in the event of an emergency, incident or accident that how to rescue in confined space. Due to the presence of dangerous chemical agents and in particular the evacuation rules must be defined in writing.
The employer must not issue a permit to enter a confined space until a rescue procedure adapted to this type of confined space has been developed and validated by practical exercises. Such a procedure must provide for:
the necessary life-saving equipment that will have to be present on-site in the event of an accident (personal protective equipment, safety harnesses, and lifelines, recovery equipment, kit, and first aid equipment, tripod and winch stand, breathing apparatus, etc.)
by which team of competent rescuers, well trained, carrying out regular exercises and knowing the types of confined spaces in which they could intervene, the rescue will be carried out,
an evacuation plan,
alarm and communication devices.
The use of a radio transceiver allows the responders to communicate with the supervisor who remains on the surface. The use of a radio transceiver allows the responders to communicate with the entry supervisor who remains on the surface. Relevant emergency drills should be organized at regular intervals on a periodical basis.
In the event of an accident following the presence of a dangerous chemical agent in the confined space, only trained personnel and regularly trained to carry out a rescue in an enclosed space and equipped with all the required personal protective equipment may enter in the confined space to rescue a victim if he is assured of his own safety for this entry.
If the preliminary inspection of the area of confined space entry shows that it is impossible to extract an unconscious person or injured with a lanyard and leaving him his breathing apparatus, the employer must provide a procedure to ensure a supply of breathable air to this person until the rescue. It is recommended that persons authorized to enter a confined space have been trained to provide first aid and cardio-respiratory resuscitation.
When designing the rescue procedure, it is necessary to take into account the difficulties of entry due to insufficient or non-existent lighting, to the topography of the places (dimensions) and the difficulties to evacuate a victim immobilized or unconscious.
Equipment need for rescue in confined space
3rd party certified:
Tripod and winch
Full-body harness
Stretcher
Self-contained breathing apparatus / Breathing apparatus
wireless radios for communication
Ambulance
First aider equipped with first aid kit and AED and resuscitation device.
How to rescue a victim inside a confined space
The attendant of the confined space should inform the emergency team and raise the emergency alarm. The emergency team must be equipped with self-contained breathing apparatus. The emergency rescue team must be competent in their work and of good physical health.
Emergency rescue team members will attach the hook of the winch with a full-body harness and will lift the victim outside the confined space. After removal of the victim, the worker will be given first aid and resuscitation only if he is unconscious if the victim is conscious the team will give him a safe position which is called recovery position.
How to get ready for an emergency scenario in a confined space
Fire drills must be conducted periodically. All people must be informed through regular toolbox talks about the hazards and risks involved in confined space work and how to rescue in confined space.
All workers attached in confined space work must have 3rd party training and must be recertified after every 2 years. Drills must be conducted on a monthly and bi-annually basis. You can also check How to make confined space entry procedure
Readily available rescue equipment, an inspection of rescue equipment by 3rd party every 6 months is required. Rescue equipment must be kept neat and clean, any defect in the rescue equipment must be reported to the supervisors and must be removed from the operation. Inspection must be done through a checklist on a monthly basis.
Inspector must be competent. Rescue member’s capabilities must be checked through drills and surveys for emergency rescue must be conducted before work inside confined space.
