NFPA 350, Table A.10.9.1 may be the MOST IMPORTANT Confined Space document published in 2015

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NFPA 350: Best Practices Guide for Safe Confined Space Entry and Work, 2016 Edition, Table A.10.9.1 – Confined Space Rescue Team, Staffing Decision Table, may be the most important Confined Space document published in 2015.  And that is saying a lot, seeing how OSHA also published their Construction Confined Space standard this summer.   But in all my years as a rescuer, a rescue trainer, and an auditor, the biggest limitation we ALWAYS see is the STAFFING of the rescue team(s).  Table A.10.9.1 finally establishes a MUCH NEEDED “guide” that can be used to set rescue team staffing needs for entries.  Table A.10.9.1 states…

NFPA 350 Confined Space Rescue Team Staffing Decision Table
If Then

The CS has

  • NO obstructions OR entanglement hazards

AND

  • entrant PROPERLY attached to a retrieval system
 One (1) rescuer is needed to perform a NON-entry rescue

The CS has

  • NO obstructions OR entanglement hazards
  • Entrant is NOT attached to a retrieval system
  • NO potential atm hazards exist
  • VERTICAL extraction is NOT required

Three (3) Rescuers are need to perform an emergency entry to effect rescue:

1 Rescue Attendant

2 Rescue Entrants

The CS has

  • Obstructions OR entanglement hazards
  • Entrant is NOT attached to a retrieval system
  • NO potential atm hazards exist, and
  • VERTICAL extraction IS REQUIRED

Five (5) Rescuers are need to perform an emergency entry to effect rescue:

1 Rescue Attendant

2 Rescue System Operators (with assistance from plant personnel)

2 Rescue Entrants

The CS has

  • Obstructions OR entanglement hazards
  • Entrant is NOT attached to a retrieval system
  • Potential for atm hazards exist
  • SAR can NOT be used (requiring SCBA), and
  • VERTICAL extraction is NOT required

Five (5) Rescuers are need to perform an emergency entry to effect rescue:

1 Rescue Attendant

2 Person entry team

2 Rescue Entrants

The CS has

  • Obstructions OR entanglement hazards
  • Entrant is NOT attached to a retrieval system
  • Potential for atm hazards exist (requiring SAR)
  • VERTICAL extraction is NOT required

Six (6) Rescuers are need to perform an emergency entry to effect rescue:

1 Rescue Attendant

2 Rescue Entrants

2 BACK-UP Rescue Entrants

1 Air Supply Operator

The CS has

  • Obstructions OR entanglement hazards
  • Entrant is NOT attached to a retrieval system,
  • Potential for atm hazards exist
  • SAR can NOT be used (requiring SCBA)
  • VERTICAL extraction IS REQUIRED

Seven (7) Rescuers are need to perform an emergency entry to effect rescue:

1 Rescue Attendant

2 Rescue System Operators (with assistance from plant personnel)

2 Rescue Entrants

2 BACK-UP Rescue Entrants

The CS has

  • Obstructions OR entanglement hazards
  • Entrant is NOT attached to a retrieval system,
  • Potential for atm hazards exist (requiring SAR)
  • VERTICAL extraction IS REQUIRED

Eight (8) Rescuers are need to perform an emergency entry to effect rescue:

1 Rescue Attendant

2 Rescue System Operators (with assistance from plant personnel)

2 Rescue Entrants

2 BACK-UP Rescue Entrants

1 Air Supply Operator

An employee

  • activates a Fall Arrest system

AND

  • is suspended in a harness requiring rope rescue.

Four (4) Rescuers are need to perform rescue:

1 Rescue Attendant

2 Rescue System Operators (with assistance from plant personnel)

1 Rescuer

*Recreated using NFPA 350, but modified the layout

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