To whom do you turn?

• Published in: Occupational Health & Safety Vol. 72; no. 8; p. 72
• Main Author: Beeler, Jeff
• Format: Magazine Article Trade Publication Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 1105 Media, Inc 01.08.2003
• Subjects: Confined Spaces; Emergency Medical Services - standards; Emergency services; Employees; Evacuations & rescues; Federal regulation; Fire departments; Fire stations; Firefighters; Fires; Fires - prevention & control; Guidelines as Topic; Humans; Occupational health; Occupational Health Services - standards; Occupational safety; Organizational Policy; Patient Care Team; Private Sector - standards; Rescue Work - manpower; Rescue Work - standards; Teams; Training; United States; United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration; United States; United States > US
• ISSN: 0362-4064; 1938-3851

Prior to 1999, many companies blindly relied on the fire department to provide confined space rescue. OSHA's confined space regulation at that time was vague on the subject, and it was often interpreted that using the fire department was allowed even though their capabilities were not known. In 1910.146(k)(i) and (ii), there is new language addressing the requirements for a rescue team. Now, companies working in permit-required confined spaces are required to meet with the prospective rescue service and evaluate their capabilities. The first choice for a confined space rescue team is often the local fire department. An evaluation of its capabilities using Appendix F will show whether the fire department can provide the rescue service needed. Many fire departments have technical rescue teams that perform not only confined space rescue, but also high angle, trench, and/or water rescues. As a rule, they will be more than qualified to provide the service needed.