Effective confined-space rescues require adequate event planning. This planning should include not only target hazard analysis and pre-entry hazard mitigation actions, but also entry-team preparedness, escape-procedure training and rapid intervention team readiness. Although many confined-space rescues will be straight-forward, entries into limited-area spaces such as tank cars and utility vaults — more complex spaces that require wide-area searches — can prove extremely taxing to rescue teams.

This article will address considerations for escape-procedure planning, entry-team preparedness, RIT actions, and trapped-rescuer action planning for confined-space events.

Escape Considerations

Rescues must be planned with the safety of entrants as the priority objective. The action plan for a confined-space entry must include a full understanding of the hazards and the physical layout of the space to be entered. This is important to ensure that the proper level of personal protective gear is used, hazards are controlled or minimized, and entrants have a good understanding of the difficulties that they will face. Standard operating procedures and training need to be implemented to identify and practice escape procedures in the event of a change in the environment, a problem with protective gear or safety equipment, or failure of the breathing apparatus.

SOPs must be backed up with actual training to simulate emergencies and test written procedures. Paper plans often do not work in the real world; it's only through actual application in the real environment that realistic procedures can be instituted.

Escape planning for all entry teams should cover air line failure that would require the entrant to vacate the confined space quickly while using a limited-capacity egress bottle. Air-conservation measures, such as controlled-breathing techniques, must be taught and practiced in order to maximize this limited air supply. Entry teams should develop a procedure to quickly escape if the air supply is lost on the outside of the space due to an equipment problem, such as a regulator malfunction or an O-ring blow-out during a bottle change. Air-supply problems also can occur if an air line is cut inside the space.

A decision needs to be made at the team level whether to abandon the air line connection and hasten the escape, or stay attached to the air line during the escape in hopes that the air supply will be re-established by the outside support team. Staying attached to the air line will allow for re-connection of the lost air supply due to an outside failure. Staying attached to the air line also may help the backup team find the initial entry-team members if they are required to enter to assist with air re-supply during an emergency. Whatever standard escape procedure is developed, it must be practiced.

Escape planning and survival training should cover potential failure of primary light sources and limited- or no-visibility situations. These situations will require the entrants and outside support teams to act together to safely remove lost or incapacitated entry-team members. Entry teams will be required to navigate spaces, manage air lines and communications lines, and operate rope systems with limited or zero lighting if their primary lighting source fails.

Communications equipment failures are another common issue that must be addressed in survival and escape planning and training. Alternative communications sources, communications protocols and predetermined actions to initiate communications must be identified, planned and practiced. Action plans must define when to send in the backup team if communications are lost with the original entry team.

Safety/Survival Supplies

When we consider potential confined-space emergencies, the need for equipment and supplies that will aid the entry team in escape becomes evident. Entry-team members always should consider using redundant lighting sources. Typically a handlight and/or helmet light will be used. Small spaces like storage tanks, manholes or tank cars can be illuminated with area lighting, such as explosion-proof droplights or other work-area lighting. Larger and more complex areas will require the rescuers to take portable lighting with them.

The outside support teams can assist with identifying the escape portal in large spaces by positioning an approved lighting device at the opening. This will act as a beacon in the event of a lighting failure. Individual rescuers should carry more than one personal light, as well as several chemical light sticks, as backup lighting.

Communications equipment failures also should be considered and planned for by using a secondary communications device and/or procedure. A personal distress device or other type of signaling device may be used with an agreed-on and practiced signaling system to initiate evacuation or call for help.

The tapping of a tool using a predetermined code also may be used, or the outside team may use a whistle to initiate an evacuation. If equipment allows, a hardwired communications system backed up by an approved portable radio also may be an option.