(1) The employer must make sure they have adequate rescue and emergency services available during their permit-required confined space entry operations.
(a) Evaluate and select rescue teams or services who can:
(i) Respond to a rescue call in a timely manner. Timeliness is based on the identified hazards. Rescuers must have the capability to reach potential victims within an appropriate time frame based on the identified permit space hazards.
(ii) Proficiently rescue employees from a permit-required confined space in the workplace. Rescuers must have the appropriate equipment for the type of rescue.
(b) Make sure that at least one member of the rescue team or service holds a current certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
(c) Inform each rescue team or service about the hazards they may confront when called to perform rescue.
(d) Provide the rescue team or service with access to all permit spaces from which rescue may be necessary.
This will allow them to develop appropriate rescue plans and to practice rescue operations.
Note: | What will be considered timely will vary according to the specific hazards involved in each entry. For example, WAC 296-307-594, Respirators, requires that employers provide a standby person or persons capable of immediate action to rescue employee(s) for work areas considered to contain an IDLH atmosphere. |
(2) The employer must provide employees, assigned to provide permit-required confined space rescue and emergency services, with:
(a) Personal protective equipment (PPE) needed for safe entry.
(b) Other equipment required to conduct rescues safely.
(c) Training so they are:
(i) Proficient in the use of the PPE and other equipment.
(ii) Proficient as an entrant of permit-required confined spaces.
(iii) Able to safely perform assigned rescue and emergency duties.
(iv) Knowledgeable in basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
(d) Practice sessions for permit-required confined space rescues at least once every twelve months where dummies, manikins, or actual persons are removed from either:
(i) The actual permit spaces; or
(ii) Representative permit spaces that simulate the opening size, configuration, and accessibility, of permit spaces where rescue will be performed.
(3) The employer must establish procedures for:
(a) Contacting rescue and emergency services.
(b) Rescuing entrants from permit-required confined spaces.
(c) Providing necessary emergency services to rescued entrants.
(d) Preventing unauthorized persons from attempting a rescue.