Confined Space Rescue

  • 16 Hour Training Program
  • 8 Hour Annual Refresher Training
  • Meets and Exceeds OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146(k)

While a confined space entry is in progress, the employer is required to have rescuers available to respond in a timely manner. Fire Departments cannot fulfill that function because they are not a “stand-by” organization. Even if they are certified in Confined Space Rescue (which most aren’t), they may be responding to a fire or a wreck at that time. The Louisville Fire Department has 22 firehouses and only 2 are certified in confined space rescue. You cannot rely on your local Fire Department to rescue you or your employees in a timely manner!

When the employer arranges to have persons other than their employees perform permit space rescues, then an Outside Rescue Team would have to be available and on-site for all entries. This could be very costly. If you are certified in confined space rescue, OSHA requires that training be at least every 12 months. Training shall consist of rescuing dummies or actual persons from actual permit spaces or from representative permit spaces.

First 8 Hours of Training Includes:

  • Recognizing and identifying Permit-Required Confined Spaces (PRCS)
  • Ability to identify existing and potential hazards that may occur in the space
  • Completion and understanding of Entry Permits
  • PPE and Communications
  • Demonstration and usage of atmospheric monitoring equipment
  • Usage of various equipment and methods necessary to set up a safe worksite
  • Demonstrating the purpose of ventilation
  • Demonstration and usage of SCBA’s and SAR (if applicable)
  • Perform both vertical and horizontal entry and exits

Second 8 Hours of Training and Annual Refreshers Include:

  • Extrication procedures and equipment demonstrated and practiced
  • Techniques on handling injured victims in confined spaces
  • Victim assessment and retrieval
  • Patient packaging for vertical and horizontal spaces
  • 3-5 rescues from various confined spaces
  • Wearing supplied air during rescue (if applicable)
  • Each rescue performed will be evaluated and reviewed