Working as a Member of a Rescue and Recovery Team in Confined Spaces (6160-08)

• Arrange for all rescue equipment specified in the method statement to be on site before work begins
• Set up, test, and confirm communications systems are working before rescue and recovery begins
• Confirm all team members know and understand their roles
• Check all team members are in place with the appropriate PPE before entry begins

• Set up an exclusion zone to prevent entry of unauthorised people
• Enter and exit the space in line with procedures for the confined space risk category

• Adhere to all procedures regarding the carrying and use of CABA
• Confirm the suitability of the CABA for the job
• Carry out pre-use safety and user tests to confirm CABA and its fit complies with current legislation, manufacturer’s specifications and approved codes of practice
• Examine the breathing apparatus prior to starting work and replace it if it is defective
• Resolve any problems with the CABA and report non-conformities
• Fit and adjust the designated CABA
• Wear the designated CABA to carry out the work
• Continuously monitor the CABA during operational use
• Carry out after use checks on the CABA after a safe exit and confirm it conforms to specification before storing it in the designated area ready for the next job
• Take steps to maintain or repair faulty CABA

• Check and confirm all equipment and tools are suitable for the job before using them
• Check and confirm all personal protective equipment (PPE) is suitable and compatible with CABA to be worn before using it
• Resolve any problems with equipment and tools before and during their use
• Use specified method to introduce equipment and tools into the confined space
• Recover and remove equipment and tools when permitted
• Follow manufacturer’s and employers instructions for after-use checks, cleaning, disinfection, decontamination, and storage

• Follow and maintain emergency procedures throughout the incident
• Follow employers safe working procedures and equipment manufacturer’s instructions
• Act immediately to remedy any unsafe activity, equipment and environmental conditions
• Regularly monitor atmospheric conditions within the confined space
• Control risks adequately which arise during working task
• Use PPE specified for the job
• Record environmental readings regularly and change the rescue procedure to resolve problems shown by the information from the monitoring equipment
• Communicate regularly with the work team at all stages of the rescue and recovery
• Confirm emergency communications links are working and the team is ready to enter
• Enter the confined space as prescribed for emergencies and maintain a safe means of escape
• Move within the confined space in a way which minimises risk to yourself and does not cause further injury to the casualty
• Make reports and complete all documentation and deposit them with the designated personnel

• Confirm the emergency arrangements, procedures and communications systems are in place before entry
• Make the emergency arrangements known to all the team, support personnel, and off-site personnel
• Get all rescue equipment on site as specified in the emergency procedures
• Arrange for rescue equipment to be in place before allowing entry in confined space
• Put emergency equipment, casualty recovery and handling devices into designated places
• Start emergency procedure immediately on becoming aware of a dangerous situation
• Use emergency equipment and breathing apparatus
• Put on PPE in response to the emergency incident and check other team members comply with its wear and use
• Supervise use of emergency equipment
• Recover casualties to a safe location
• Assess and prioritise casualties
• Recover casualties to surface in a way which minimises further injury
• Record and report the emergency incident and its circumstances
• Administer basic first aid to a recovered surface casualty
• Maintain emergency communications
• Hand over to the emergency services
• Secure the site for post-incident investigation

You work in a manner which:

Is vigilant to possible risks and hazards

• Manufacturer’s instructions relating to use of equipment
• Manufacturer’s instructions relating to the use of CABA
• Manufacturer’s instructions relating to the use of PPE
• Legislation and approved codes of practice and guidelines for the safe use of breathing apparatus
• Limitations of using rescue equipment

• Working as a member of a team

• Roles and responsibilities
• Injuries to personnel and the general public
• Dealing with irregularities and abnormal situations
• Types and categories of emergency situations
• Implications of drink and drugs policies

• Carry out real-time assessment of risks and hazards
• Using work authorisation and permits
• Procedures and methods of working suitable to the confined space classification and local conditions
• Minimising the risks and hazards for the work to be carried out
• Using ventilation systems
• Reducing the risk and injury
• Understanding and using local site procedures
• Monitoring of conditions and rescue activity
• Decontamination procedures
• Communication methods which are suitable for different conditions
• Resolving problems speedily and with the designated personnel where other people or organisations are involved

• Preparing and checking equipment and tools
• Following manufacturer’s instructions for using equipment and tools
• Ensuring equipment and tools are fit-for-purpose and how to use them safely
• Methods and techniques for using and wearing PPE
• Preparing and using different types of breathing apparatus
• Using emergency rescue equipment
• Using equipment to resuscitate casualties
• Ensuring the content of the emergency incident kit is complete
• Using maps and technical drawings

• Responsibilities of a rescue team and its individual members
• Responsibilities of managing work teams

• Procedures for dealing with emergencies
• Rescue and recovery procedures
• Communications and reporting systems for emergency situations
• Sighting rescue equipment
• Using tally boards(entry control methods) for deploying rescue team members
• Using incident logs throughout rescue operations
• Planning how to deal with potential fatalities
• Treating casualties and injuries
• Preparing for and dealing with weather conditions
• Maintaining sites for investigations following emergency and rescue situations