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Respiratory Protection for Confined Space Rescue Operations

Section (D) (9) of the 1993 Permit Required Confined Space Entry regulations requires that employers develop and implement rescue and emergency procedures. These procedures must address:

• Summoning rescue and emergency services

• Rescuing entrants from permit spaces

• Providing necessary emergency services to rescued employees

• Preventing unauthorized personnel from attempting to enter and rescue

Issues associated with providing approved respiratory protection for rescue service personnel has proven to be most challenging for employers and municipal fire/rescue departments. NIOSH and OSHA had stated in 1992 that the only form of approved respirator for rescue from confined spaces were Positive Pressure Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus with a minimum of thirty (30) minutes of breathing air. Due to the dimensional limitations of using SCBA’s in confined spaces, many employers began purchasing various types of airline respirators for these purposes.

Recently, NIOSH and OSHA have modified their positions regarding the use of alternate forms of respiratory protection for confined space entry and rescue. Both agencies now agree that combination airline/escape self-contained breathing apparatus (ESCBA) play an important role in safe entry practices.

OSHA also feels that several issues must be closely considered in order to allow the use of alternate types of respirators for confined space entry. Considerations should include:

• Rescuer’s air supply must be independent from the source used by authorized entrant’s.

• The volume of the air source for rescuers should be approximately twice as much as is estimated to be required to complete the anticipated rescue.

Some concerns within the professional community has been expressed over the suggested practice of buddy breathing for confined space rescue. Appropriate planning should prevent the need for systems dependent on "buddy breathing" as a means of effecting a rescue.

Written by:

Timothy Kearney, CSP
Vice President, Argus Group

Article Provided by: The Argus Group

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