Emergency & Rescue Procedures — Confined Spaces Practice

Sample questions

1. 01Under the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997, Regulation 5, when must emergency arrangements be in place?

   • AWithin 24 hours of the entry commencing
   • BWhere the space has been classified as 'high risk' in the assessment
   • COnce the risk assessment has identified a high likelihood of an incident
   • DBefore any person enters or works in a confined space

   Why: Regulation 5 of the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 is clear that suitable and sufficient arrangements for the rescue of persons in the event of an emergency must be in place BEFORE any person enters or works in a confined space. This applies to all confined space entries, regardless of the perceived level of risk. Emergency arrangements must be proportionate to the identified risks and must be practised.

2. 02What is 'non-entry rescue' in the context of confined space emergency procedures?

   • AA rescue method in which the casualty is left in place and made comfortable until the fire and rescue service arrive
   • BA rescue method in which two rescuers enter the space together, so that each can assist the other while extracting the casualty quickly
   • CA rescue method where the casualty is retrieved from the confined space without the rescuer entering, typically using a retrieval line and winch system
   • DA rescue method in which the space is flooded so that the casualty floats up to the access opening

   Why: Non-entry rescue is the preferred primary rescue method. The entrant wears a full-body harness with an attached retrieval line connected to a mechanical retrieval device (winch) mounted on a tripod or davit at the entry point. If the entrant becomes incapacitated, the top person or rescue team can winch them out without anyone entering the space. This eliminates the risk of rescuers becoming additional casualties.

3. 03What is the primary advantage of non-entry rescue over entry rescue?

   • AIt eliminates the risk of the rescuer becoming a casualty in the hazardous atmosphere
   • BIt is faster to set up because no equipment is needed at the entry point
   • CIt removes the need for atmospheric monitoring during the rescue
   • DIt allows more rescuers to enter the space at the same time

   Why: The primary advantage of non-entry rescue is that it eliminates the risk of the rescuer becoming an additional casualty. Historically, a significant proportion of confined space fatalities are would-be rescuers who enter a hazardous atmosphere unprepared. Non-entry rescue allows the casualty to be retrieved mechanically while the rescuer remains in safe air outside the space. It should always be the preferred method where the geometry of the space permits it.