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Guidelines Part 9
Guidelines Part 9 - Rescue
G9.39 Notification
Issued August 1, 1999
Section 9.39 of the OHS Regulation requires the notification of rescue persons before workers enter a confined space. Section 9.39(3) states "If more than one confined space is to be entered at the same time, notification of rescue personnel to be on alert status at the commencement of work is adequate".
In determining the rescue services to be provided, the employer should assess the risks from workers entering into more than one space entry at the same time. If the rescue services are called upon for one space, and there is insufficient rescue capacity to deal with emergencies in other confined spaces at the same time, the employer must terminate the entry or use of workers in other spaces during the rescue operations.
Examples of industries that may involve several confined space entries at the same time are petroleum refineries, pulp mills, tank and rail car cleaning operations and bulk storage facilities.
G9.41 Rescue procedures
Issued August 1, 1999
Section 9.41(3) of the OHS Regulation states "A rescue worker must not enter a confined space unless there is at least one additional worker located outside to render assistance".
The stand-by person required by sections 9.34 to 9.36 may serve as a rescue worker, or as the backup worker required by section 9.41(3), provided the person is properly trained and adequately equipped. Where this occurs, the confined space rescue situation will involve a minimum of 3 people: the worker in the confined space needing rescue, the standby/rescue worker, and a third worker to meet the requirements of section 9.41(3). Four or more persons may be required if the standby person does not serve as one of the rescue workers required by section 9.41(3).
Paragraph 9.36(e) requires that in a high hazard atmosphere confined space the stand-by worker must be "equipped and capable of immediately effecting rescue using lifting equipment if required, or otherwise performing the duties of rescue persons". Wherever possible, rescue procedures and plans should rely on rescue of workers in a manner that does not require additional personnel to be placed at risk. For example, rescue from outside the space using lifting devices, and the stand-by worker as the rescue worker, puts no rescue workers at risk. In addition, rescue without entry would not necessarily require an additional rescue worker to render assistance under section 9.41(3).
The means of supplying rescue services are part of the hazard assessment under section 9.9 and covered by the written procedures under sections 9.5 and 9.10.
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Disclaimer: The Worker and Employer Services Division issues Guidelines to help with the application and interpretation of sections of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and with divisions of the Workers Compensation Act that relate to health and safety. Guidelines are not intended to provide exclusive interpretations but to assist with compliance. WorkSafeBC ("Workers' Compensation Board of B.C.") does not warrant the accuracy or the completeness of the online version of the Guidelines and neither WorkSafeBC nor its board of directors, employees or agents shall be liable to any persons for any loss or damage of any nature, whether arising out of negligence or otherwise, which may be occasioned as a result of the use of the online version of the Guidelines.