What does a permit-required confined space need?
- A written permit, completed and posted at the space
- Assessment, control, and monitoring of hazards and/or hazardous conditions
- A confined space attendant
- A plan for rescue
- Communicating the hazards and control methods to workers
- Appropriate training and PPE
- Review of the plan
- Appropriate signage and barriers to prevent unauthorized access
No matter if you are a firefighter, technical rescuer, or industrial emergency responder, the OSHA standard for Permit-Required Confined Spaces states that rescuers must be:
“Trained to perform assigned rescue duties. The employer must ensure that such employees successfully complete the training required to establish proficiency as an authorized entrant…”
The presence of an emergency doesn’t allow us to ignore safety – prior to entering or supervising a confined space all entrants, attendants, supervisors, and rescuers must be trained in the duties they’re expected to perform. No matter their role they must know the space hazards, including the route, symptoms, and consequences of exposure to the hazards in the space.
Get training to build on your team’s role as rescuers, make them competent entrants with a hands-on, interactive confined space entrant program.
