Confined Space Entry & Standby Rescue Services

Confined space entry and rescue require extensive specialized training and equipment to perform safely. Proper confined space services involve identifying hazards, implementing controls, training personnel, and preparing for emergencies. Having qualified teams with the right capabilities is crucial. The intricacies of confined space work demand specialized partners with proven expertise.

Confined Space Rescue, Technical Rescue, or Training

What are Confined Spaces and Their Hazards?

A confined space typically has limited entrance and exit points as well as potentially life-threatening hazards like lack of breathable oxygen, exposure to toxic chemicals or flammable vapors, risk of engulfment in materials like water or grain, and more. Precautions are critically needed when entering any confined space environment, such as tanks, vessels, silos, manholes, crawl spaces, and sewer systems. Hazards may not be apparent upon initial entry and can arise rapidly.

 

Confined Space Entry vs. Confined Space Rescue

Confined space entry involves establishing and following deliberate procedures and safety protocols that allow workers to enter and work within a confined space without injury, such as continuous atmospheric monitoring, forced-air ventilation, and more. Confined space rescue involves having specially selected, trained, and equipped personnel positioned on standby outside the space, ready to enter the space rapidly in an emergency to retrieve any injured or incapacitated entrants.

Having qualified in-house rescue teams immediately available on-site 24/7 is a vital requirement for working in higher-risk confined spaces.

Standby Rescue Services and Their Responsibilities

Dedicated standby rescue personnel are specially trained to monitor the space and remain ready to deploy immediately into action at a moment’s notice. Comprehensive rescue services require rescuers to have extensive hands-on training in all required competencies such as medical aid, air monitoring, equipment use, as well as appropriate personal protective equipment and gear such as harnesses, lifelines, fall protection, tripods, lighting, and ventilation equipment. Having a fully trained and equipped rescue team stationed on-site ensures the most rapid possible emergency response.

AmeriSafe Group’s rescue teams have many decades of highly specialized hands-on confined space and technical rescue training and field experience under real-world emergency conditions. Our skilled personnel are extensively trained both in classroom settings and conducting live practice drills in selecting proper air monitoring instruments, setup and operation of ventilation equipment, clear communication protocols, selection and use of harnesses and rope systems, proper victim packaging and extraction techniques, and administering emergency first aid and CPR to injured entrants. We provide the complete spectrum of required rescue knowledge, personnel, skills, and equipment.

First Aid and Victim Extraction Procedures

When an emergency rescue is required in a confined space, Amerisafe utilizes the following strategic victim retrieval procedures:

  • Enter the confined space completely, adhering to all relevant OSHA regulations for permissible entry conditions.
  • Perform thorough air quality testing and monitoring with properly calibrated instruments and deploy forced-air ventilation equipment as needed.
  • Don appropriate PPE, including supplied air and self-contained breathing apparatus for IDLH atmospheres.
  • Safely access victims and package them in preparation for removal using rope systems and harnesses.
  • Carefully remove victims from the space either vertically or horizontally.
  • Immediately administer emergency first aid and CPR while simultaneously summoning advanced life support and emergency services.

Proper initial and recurrent training on air monitoring equipment usage, ventilation techniques, communication protocols, technical rope and harness systems, and first aid principles ensures our rescue teams are able to conduct safe and efficient rescues that give victims the best chance of survival.

OSHA's Permit Required Confined Spaces

OSHA’s detailed permit-required confined space entry program outlines all the compliance requirements and safety protocols designed to thoroughly protect workers before, during, and after any confined space entry. The permit process formally identifies any potential hazards through extensive testing and lays out the specific protective measures and safeguards that must be implemented based on those hazards. Key elements include atmospheric monitoring, ventilation, communication systems, training, emergency and rescue planning, and more. Following permits ensures proper preparation for safe entry.

About Amerisafe

With many decades of experience exclusively focused on confined space and technical rescue training and services nationwide, Amerisafe has rightfully earned its reputation as an industry-leading expert in this highly complex and specialized field. Our team of skilled in-house instructors has immense real-world knowledge and practical experience spanning the entire spectrum of required rescue competencies and types of confined space environments.

How We Operate

We operate under the acronym STRIVE:

  • Safety
  • Teamwork
  • Respect
  • Integrity
  • Value demonstration
  • Exemplary leadership & personnel

Contact us today to learn more about our world-class standby rescue capabilities and tailoring services for your unique site requirements.

Amerisafe Group provides specialized confined space and rescue services along with comprehensive safety program development for diverse industries. Our experts assess hazards, develop entry/rescue plans, deliver training, and provide experienced rescue teams to rapidly respond to emergencies. We customize solutions to advance the unique safety goals of each client. With capabilities spanning industrial hygiene, training, auditing, and more, Amerisafe improves workplace safety programs and culture.