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It is not currently a legal requirement to have Confined Space Rescue Teams in place at every confined space entry. However, it is a requirement as per the ACOP (Approved Code of Practice) Confined Space Regulations 1997 “to have suitable and sufficient emergency arrangements in place and this may include the provision of an on-site rescue team”.
This is detailed as follows…
“(1) Without prejudice to regulation 4 of these Regulations, no person at work shall enter or carry out work in a confined space unless there have been prepared in respect of that confined space suitable and sufficient arrangements for the rescue of persons in the event of an emergency, whether or not arising out of a specified risk. Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1) above, the arrangements referred to in that paragraph shall not be suitable and sufficient unless
(2) Whenever there arises any circumstance to which the arrangements referred to in paragraph (1) above relate, those arrangements, or the relevant part or parts of those arrangements, shall immediately be put into operation.”
To put it simply – it is the responsibility of the person in charge of the work. If that’s you, you need to:
“Make suitable arrangements for emergency rescue which will depend on the nature of the confined space, the risks identified and the likely nature of an emergency rescue.”
The use of emergency services to support private enterprise high-risk works is forbidden. It’s imperative that a rescue plan/rescue team must be in place and agreed upon prior to any work commencing. The emergency services are to be utilised as a backup response only.
The code specifically states that “You should not rely on the public emergency services”.
When conducting your confined space risk assessment and arranging cover, you should consider all potential accidents arising from a specified risk, and any other accident in which a person needs to be recovered from a confined space. E.g. a person suffers incapacitation following a fall.
To be suitable and sufficient, your arrangements for rescue and resuscitation should cover:
(a) Rescue and resuscitation equipment
(b) Raising the alarm and rescue
(c) Safeguarding the rescuers
(d) Fire safety
(e) Control of plant
(f) First aid
(g) Public emergency services
(h) Training
First Intervention Team offers bespoke rescue team provisions for your project, granting you peace of mind that all of the above requirements and regulations are met. We can support you at any point in this undertaking, from rescue plans and risk assessments to providing the teams or supervisors.
Why not arrange for one of our expert consultants to attend your site and assist you in the creation of the following:
Looking to hire a rescue team to provide cover for your confined space works? Find out more about our rescue team hire and consultancy services.
Looking to train your in-house team to work safely in confined spaces? Take a look at the 12 different confined space training courses we offer here at FIT.
Read the full Approved Code of Practice here – www.hse.gov.uk/pUbns/priced/l101.pdf
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