Confined Space Rescue: The Tools of the Trade

Everyone, from the project manager to the company manager, is obligated to ensure people are safe when there is a confined space involved. Should the unexpected happen, those same people must have a plan set for a confined space rescue. If you do not have a confined space rescue plan laid out in detail and one of your workers ends up needing help, you could be left with an injured worker or a fatality and find yourself under legal, public and regulatory scrutiny.

Rescue operations from a confined space in Toronto is not a job for novices. It may involve an actual life-or-death scenario, so the rescue team needs to have the skills and knowledge necessary to handle the task properly. The serious nature of a rescue is why many companies opt to use an experienced confined space rescue service rather than having an in-house team. However, even if you decide to use a third-party rescue service for your confined space, you and your staff should still have some entry-level knowledge about common confined space rescue tools.

Air monitoring tools

Dangerous gasses in a confined space can be a hazard to the person trapped and the rescue team. Therefore, rescue personnel use monitors to check for the presence of hazardous gasses, such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide, before entering. In some cases, special monitoring tools may be required. In a water park, for example, rescuers may need to check the levels of chlorine before going into a space. Gas monitors also evaluate the levels of oxygen in a confined space as this is necessary for the well-being of the rescuers and the person who is trapped. These monitors carry audible and visual alarms to ensure no hazard is missed.

Safety items for confined space in Toronto rescues

There are a lot of different types of safety equipment that may be used for a confined space rescue. This includes whistles, masks, safe sources of light, gloves and protective gear such as knee pads, helmets and special suits. What a rescue will ultimately need will depend on the factors involved in the rescue, including the atmosphere. A rescue professional will perform an assessment of the situation to determine what type of safety equipment will be required for the rescue.

Rescue equipment items

As with safety equipment, there are various rescue items and tools, and the ones required in an emergency will depend on the specifics of the confined space in Toronto rescue. Common rescue equipment includes gears, hooks, holsters, harnesses and basket stretchers. Rescue personnel may also have radio vests on that allow them to handle many radios at once to coordinate other rescue personnel and involved staff. The leading rescue professionals will determine what types of rescue equipment is needed based on their assessment of the emergency.

With a confined space, you have risks that you must address and plan for as best as possible. Whether you have an in-house rescue team or are using an experienced third-party service, you and your staff should know what tools may be involved so you can help as needed.