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Always plan the entry in advance; identify the problems that could occur and the required contingencies, rescue plans and equipment required.  Identify the products involved and read the applicable Material Safety Data Sheets.

Additional equipment that should be considered for confined space entry includes:

•A means of communication, radio, phone, etc.

•Self-contained breathing apparatus.

•Flashlight.

•Harness and rope.

•Gas detector.

Emergency planning should include but not be limited to:

•Ensuring that competent and trained personnel are available throughout the duration of the entry to conduct a rescue if required

•Communication methods are available to call on emergency response such as radios or portable phones.

•Ensuring that the standby person is fully aware of his duties in an emergency, is provided with the appropriate equipment and the emergency contact numbers.

 

Rescue / Retrieval

 

Only trained / authorized personnel shall perform confined space rescue.  Emergency services shall be contacted by the on site Supervisor if required.

 

To facilitate emergency rescue, retrieval systems or methods shall be used whenever an authorized entrant enters a confined space, unless the retrieval equipment would increase the overall risk of entry or would not contribute to the rescue of the entrant.

 

The entry supervisor, prior to the initial entry of personnel into a confined space, shall ensure the rescue equipment and retrieval system is functioning properly.

 

Retrieval systems shall meet the following requirements to the greatest extent possible.

 

•Each authorized entrant shall use a full body harness with a retrieval lifeline attached at the center of the entrant's back near shoulder level, or above the entrant's head or safety coveralls with built‑in harness, with a retrieval lifeline attached at the near shoulder level of the entrant's back, or above the entrant's head.

•Wristlets may be used in lieu of the full body harness if the entry supervisor can demonstrate that the use of a full body harness is not feasible or creates a greater hazard and that the use of wristlets is the safest and most effective alternative.

•The other end of the retrieval line shall be attached to a mechanical device or fixed point outside the confined space in such a manner that rescue can begin as soon as the rescuer becomes aware that rescue is necessary. A mechanical device shall be available to retrieve personnel from vertical type confined spaces more than 5 feet deep.

•The safety harness shall be of the type that permits easy rescue of personnel from the confined space during emergency conditions and may be either the harness type that suspends a person in an upright position or the wrist type rescue harness. (A hoisting device or other effective means for lifting personnel from confined spaces is preferred).

•Lifelines shall have a minimum breaking strength of 5,400 pounds