Confined Space Rescue Operations

SCOPE

Incidents, which require confined space rescue personnel to rescue and remove persons in need of assistance in confined spaces present very serious potential dangers.  In order to operate safely in these situations, special precautions must be taken and rigidly enforced.

The current scope of this rescue plan covers only non-entry confined space rescue with the use of retrieval lines.  

PURPOSE

To provide confined space rescue procedures appropriate to the nature of the manufacturing site’s confined spaces and types of foreseeable emergency situation(s).

FORESEEABLE EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

CONFINED SPACE RESCUE TEAM

Members of the Manufacturing Site who had completed Confined Space Rescue Courses

CONFINED SPACE RESCUE EQUIPMENT 

Confined Space Rescue Equipment (Hardware)

The confined space rescue equipment is made up of the

 a) TRIS Manual Retrieval System and 

b) Transportable Temporary Anchor System Kit.    

TRIS Manual Retrieval System 

Transportable Temporary Anchor System Kit

PPE

Inspection 

Before Use

CS rescue personnel shall check that the equipment is undamaged and functioning properly before each use.  If there are any doubts about the condition of the equipment, it shall be withdrawn from use and reported to the Engineering Supervisor and WSH Officer. 

The WSH Officer shall make arrangements for the supplier to inspect the equipment in question before finalizing its status.

Monthly inspection 

CS Rescue equipment shall be thoroughly examined once a month, before and after each use, and maintained as necessary.  Records of every such inspection shall be maintained in Confined Space Rescue Equipment Inspection and Maintenance Checklist attached behind this document and kept for at least 2 years.

Textiles

Check for cuts, tears, abrasion, damage due to deterioration, contact with heat, alkalis or other corrosives.

Stitching

Check for broken, cut or worn threads

Metals

Check for rust, corrosion, cracks, distortion, corrosion, burrs, worn or loose rivets, screws, discoloration caused by extreme heat, cuts, reduced tension in springs, jammed or seizure of moving parts, missing components. 

Maintenance 

CS Rescue equipment shall be maintained as necessary during monthly inspection, before and after each use.  Action to be taken shall be indicated as per Records of every such inspection shall be maintained in Confined Space Rescue Equipment Inspection and Maintenance Checklist attached behind this document and kept for at least 2 years.

Cleaning

The equipment should be kept clean and dry. Rinse in clean cold water.  Any excess moisture should be removed with a clean cloth and allowed to dry naturally. Clean off tar based products with appropriate petroleum solvents. Afterwards, wash rinse and dry as above.

Chemicals

Chemicals such as acids, strong caustic substances (e.g., battery acid, bleach, etc) should not be used to clean equipment. 

Lubrication

Before storing away washed and dried metal components, particularly moving parts, should be lubricated sparingly using light oil, or lightly greased making sure that lubrication does not come into contact with any part(s) that rely on friction with rope. 

Storage

Store equipment in dry place away from chemicals, corrosives.  Keep equipment below 50 deg C.

Communications

Walkie Talkie

The confined space attendant who is also the CS rescue personnel shall ensure he remains in contact with the entrant via walkie talkie.  As all CS rescue personnel each have his / her own walkie talkie, it shall be their responsibility to ensure their sets are in working condition as long as CS work is carried out.

Rope Tugging 

Besides using the walkie talkie, the CS attendant can also tug the rope connected to the entrant’s full body harness if the entrant is not responding to walkie talkie calls.

RESCUE METHOD (NON-ENTRY)

Pre-entry preparation

Upon being notified by the Supervisor of the CS entry that confined space work is required in the manufacturing site, the CS rescue team leader shall arrange for CS rescue team to set up the CS Rescue Equipment over the confined space where work is to be carried out and designate one of the rescue team personnel to be assigned as the CS attendant of that confined space. 

Set-up

Before setting up the CS Rescue Equipment, CS rescue personnel shall inspect all components of the Rescue Equipment and walkie talkies that they are in good working condition and free from damage.

If there are damaged components, they must be immediately taken out of service and labeled immediately to avoid confusion later. 

Retrieving person (vertical rescue)

The attendant who is also a trained CS rescue personnel shall first alert all other CS rescue personnel over the walkie talkie on channel 1.  CS rescue personnel shall make their way to the scene to provide support.

The attendant shall not try to enter the CS nor put his head through the CS opening at all times.  

He shall raise the victim up by pulling down the SAR Ascender with his entire body weight. If the attendant has difficulties pulling the victim out, he shall wait till the other CS rescue personnel arrive to provide assistance.

NB: Before pulling, ensure standing position is safe and firm. 

When the victim is successfully retrieved, proceed with first aid treatment as required.

Unsuccessful rescue

If the situation does not permit the victim to be able to be retrieved successfully, CS rescue personnel shall immediately call 995 to activate rescue services (Singapore Civil Defence Force)

DRILL (NON-ENTRY)

A rescue drill shall be carried out at least once every 12 months to familiarise all CS rescue personnel with the equipment set-up, use and rescue methods.

TRAINING

CS rescue personnel shall undergo a CS non-entry rescue training at least once very 12 months conducted in-house by the CS rescue equipment vendor.

Persons who are not trained in proper rescue procedures are not permitted to undertake rescue operations.

Annex A : Confined Space Rescue Equipment Inspection Checklist

Annex B : Confined Space Rescue Equipment