Confined Space Rescue Written Procedures?
Do you need to have written confined space rescue procedures?
We have a small callout in our Confined Space Program document regarding rescue, but was wondering if there is requirement to have written procedures for rescue.
Comments (3)
OSHA does not require it to be written, but NFPA 350 does. Regardless, I highly recommend that it's documented and reviewed prior to each confined space entry to ensure conditions haven't changed since your initial hazard assessment that would affect the rescue team's operation/setup, such as an IDLH atmosphere that would require the rescue team to be located directly outside the confined space ready to make immediate rescue, multiple operations going on inside the space creating complex hazards, etc.
OSHA only requires that you document on the entry permit who your rescue service is, as well as ensure the attendant knows how to contact the designated rescue service, but there are no OSHA requirements as far as documentation of the specific rescue procedures.
If you rely on 911 (e.g., local fire department), which I don't recommend, then you wouldn't have a procedure since the fire department would develop it when they got there (unless you pre-planned with them). If you have an in-house rescue team (highly recommended), then you'd be more obligated to document your rescue procedures for internal use, but it's still not technically an OSHA requirement. You'll always call 911 to get Fire/EMS on the way during a rescue event, even if you have in-house rescue teams, but I highly suggest you never rely SOLELY on them to respond.
I agree with Drew!
But when dealing with my customers they all insist on just calling 911! And darn few of those have ever called the local fire department to even coordinate things, and certainly have never run a drill. In my part of NE Wisconsin there are darn few municipal FDs! Most are small volunteer fire departments. To me that it just scary!!!