We see a lot of so-called trained rescuers in our line of work. Many of these rescuers can show you a certificate that “certifies” they are indeed confined space rescuers. When we asked a few questions about this training, we found that the training was NOT EVEN COME CLOSE to preparing the team to enter permit-required confined spaces (PRCS) to affect a rescue. We have even encountered these “rescue teams” at facilities that do not have a respirator program or available respirators. Yet, they are “certified rescuers” who think they have been trained for “entry-style rescue”.
So what about High Angle Rescue? Is this an OSHA requirement…well no, not exactly, as you will not find the term “high angle rescue” in 1910.146. But here is the catch… getting entrants out of the space may be only HALF THE RESCUE; getting them down from the top of the tank or elevated platform may be the other HALF.
If ALL your entries are ALWAYS done via a ground-level entry portal, AND the entrants will NEVER change elevation, then MAYBE your team would not need high-angle rescue capabilities. But how many facilities can claim this? One of my last CS rescues involved getting a worker down 50′ of scaffolding inside a boiler. He went in at ground level, climbed the scaffolding ladder to the top, and experienced severe chest pains. He could not climb down under his own strength; all medical indications were he had a heart attack. Granted, this was not a rescue from an IDLH atmosphere but had our team not been trained in high-angle rescue; we would not have been able to safely get the worker to the ground so he could be transported to a medical facility in a timely manner.
The High Angle aspect of a rescue can even play a MAJOR part at facilities where they believe “we will ONLY DO NON-ENTRY rescues using an external rescue system” (e.g., tripod, winch, harnesses, etc.). During their ANNUAL MOCK RESCUE DRILLS (an OSHA requirement for rescuers), these facilities should have learned that getting the worker out of the space is half of the rescue. Getting the entrant down from even a 10′ tall tank/vessel can be challenging. (See photos in my most recent PRCS Safety Alert)
So having a CS rescue team that is not trained AND equipped to get entrant(s) down to the ground level so they can receive more advanced medical care and be transported to a medical facility if needed may be setting up your facility for an ugly surprise one day! This is why “High Angle Rescue” should be a part of all PRCS Rescue Teams!
