Confined spaces pose unique challenges to workers and are incredibly high risk environments in which to operate due to their limited access and egress points, the potential to encounter hazardous fumes and high temperatures and the risk of flooding or collapse.
Because confined spaces are so dangerous, confined space rescue services have a critical function in safeguarding workers. Six reasons why hazardous industries should have a dedicated confined space rescue team are:
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Rapid emergency response
When someone is trapped in a confined space, time is of the essence, as prolonged difficulty can cause a rapid deterioration in their condition. Serious injuries and death are likely outcomes in cases where a swift emergency response is not forthcoming.
A dedicated rescue team will be familiar with the intricacies of the environment and equipped with the equipment and skills necessary to perform a safe and rapid evacuation of the confined space.
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Regulatory compliance
Canada’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulations strictly govern the way in which confined space work is conducted and mandate that appropriate rescue procedures exist to safeguard workers.
Having a dedicated rescue team on standby ensures compliance with these regulations and can also help businesses to overcome other legal challenges and procedural requirements and contribute to improved safety outcomes.
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Improving worker morale
Workers who are required to enter confined spaces will do so with greater confidence knowing that a dedicated rescue team is available should an emergency situation occur. This psychological benefit will also mean that workers perform more effectively, knowing that their employing organization cares deeply about their wellbeing.
Investing in worker safety will reduce staff turnover, increase staff loyalty and foster a productive safety culture.
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Specialized equipment
Professional rescue teams are equipped with specialised equipment which can vastly improve safety outcomes. This allows them to navigate even the most complex rescues, reducing risks and improving the likelihood of a successful outcome.
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Mitigating environmental hazards
Confined spaces in hazardous industries are often home to dangerous chemicals, toxic fumes and harmful gasses, which if left unchecked, can accumulate to dangerous levels and threaten worker safety.
Specialised rescue teams understand these threats and can recognise and mitigate the environmental hazards that they are likely to encounter, using a combination of experience and specialist equipment to ventilate the space and protect themselves and the people they are rescuing from its immediate effects.
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Minimize risk to untrained workers
Over 60% of confined space fatalities are of untrained workers who attempted a rescue without the requisite skills, experience or equipment. Untrained and inexperienced rescuers rarely improve outcomes, instead putting themselves at risk as well as failing to extract the original victim.
Professional rescuers are trained to overcome the hazards they face, to account for all risks and to improve the chances of a successful outcome. Because of this, they can operate effectively in an emergency situation, regardless of the type of space or the environmental conditions that they encounter within it.
Conclusion
Hiring a specialist rescue team offers significant benefits to businesses operating in hazardous industries, including improving regulatory compliance and safety outcomes.