713 Confined Space Program

Appendix F to § 1910.146
Rescue Team or Rescue Service Evaluation Criteria (Non-Mandatory)

1. This appendix helps employers choose the right rescue service. It gives criteria to evaluate both new and current rescue teams. Before selecting a rescue team, employers must complete a permit program that identifies all potential hazards in confined spaces. OSHA believes that following all parts of § 1910.146 will usually allow employers to operate without needing rescue services. However, sometimes entrants will need to be rescued. Therefore, it's important for employers to select rescue teams, either on-site or off-site, that can minimize harm to both entrants and rescuers.

2. Employers must evaluate rescue teams or services in two parts:

• Initial Evaluation: Decide if a potential rescue team is trained and equipped to perform rescues needed at the facility and can respond quickly.
• Performance Evaluation: Measure the team's performance during an actual or practice rescue.

For example, an employer might find that having an on-site rescue team is more expensive than using an off-site team without being more effective. After observing a practice rescue, the employer might decide the team's training isn't adequate and choose another service or form an internal team.

A. Initial Evaluation

• I. Employers must meet with the prospective rescue service to complete evaluations required by § 1910.146(k)(1)(i) and § 1910.146(k)(1)(ii). If considering an off-site service, the employer must contact them to plan and coordinate evaluations. Just posting the service's number or relying on 911 during an emergency doesn't meet the standard.
• II. The needed capabilities of a rescue service vary based on the types of permit spaces and hazards. Employers should consider the following questions:

• 1. What response time is needed? For spaces that can quickly become dangerous, the rescue team must be on standby. For mechanical hazards, a 10-15 minute response might be enough.
• 2. How quickly can the rescue team reach the permit spaces? Consider location, road quality, traffic, vehicle reliability, and driver skill.
• 3. Is the rescue service available at all times? What if key personnel are unavailable? Can they notify the employer if they become unavailable during an entry?
• 4. Does the rescue service meet all requirements of paragraph (k)(2)? If not, do they have a plan to meet them soon?
• 5. For off-site services, are they willing to perform rescues at the employer's workplace?
• 6. Is there a good communication method between the attendant, employer, and rescuer to send rescue requests quickly? How soon can a rescuer be dispatched after notification?
• 7. For rescues in spaces with significant atmospheric hazards where rescue can't be done quickly, should airline respirators be used? If using SCBA, does the rescue service have enough replacement cylinders and procedures to ensure safety?
• 8. For vertical entries over 5 feet deep, can the rescue service perform entry rescues? Do they have the knowledge and equipment for rope work or elevated rescues?
• 9. Does the rescue service have the necessary skills in medical evaluation, patient packaging, and emergency response?
• 10. Does the rescue service have the needed equipment to perform rescues, or must it be provided by the employer or another source?

B. Performance Evaluation

Rescue services must practice rescues at least once every 12 months, unless they've performed a permit space rescue in that time. Each practice session should include a critique to identify and fix any issues in procedures, equipment, training, or personnel. The results should be given to the employer to decide if the rescue service meets their needs or if another service is needed. Employers and rescue teams should consider these questions:

• 1. Have all team members been trained as permit space entrants and understand the hazards?
• 2. Is each team member trained in using PPE like SCBA or fall arrest equipment?
• 3. Are team members trained in first aid and medical skills needed for potential hazards?
• 4. Do team members perform their functions safely and efficiently, focusing on their safety first?
• 5. Can the rescue service test the atmosphere to determine if it's immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH)?
• 6. Can rescue personnel identify important information from entry permits, hot work permits, and safety data sheets?
• 7. Has the rescue service been informed of any external hazards that may arise during rescue?
• 8. Can the rescue service package and retrieve victims from spaces with small openings, limited space, or internal obstacles?
• 9. Can the rescue service perform elevated (high angle) rescues safely?
• 10. Does the rescue service have a plan for each type of rescue operation needed at the facility? Is the plan adequate for all types of rescues?

Teams may practice in representative spaces or in spaces that are most restrictive regarding internal configuration, elevation, and portal size. Consider these characteristics when deciding if a practice space is truly representative:

• 1. Internal Configuration:
  • a. Open: No obstacles inside the space (e.g., a water tank).
  • b. Obstructed: Contains obstructions like baffles or mixing blades that rescuers must maneuver around.
• 2. Elevation:
  • a. Elevated: Entry portal is 4 feet or more above ground, requiring high angle rescue procedures.
  • b. Non-elevated: Entry portal is less than 4 feet above ground, allowing normal transport of an injured employee.
• 3. Portal Size:
  • a. Restricted: Portal is 24 inches or less in the smallest dimension, too small for a rescuer with SCBA to enter easily.
  • b. Unrestricted: Portal is greater than 24 inches, allowing easier movement in and out.
• 4. Space Access:
  • a. Horizontal: Portal is on the side of the space; retrieval lines may be difficult to use.
  • b. Vertical: Portal is on the top or bottom, requiring rescuers to climb down or up, possibly needing rope techniques or special patient packaging.