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Confined Space Emergency and Rescue Requirements
Six of the roughly 100 workers killed inside confined spaces are personnel sent in to rescue the workers inside. So it’s no coincidence that OHS regulations require employers who permit workers to enter confined spaces to protect not only the entrants but would-be rescuers. Here’s a summary of the confined space emergency and rescue requirements in each part of Canada.
- FEDERAL
- ALBERTA
- BRITISH COLUMBIA
- MANITOBA
- NEW BRUNSWICK
- NEWFOUNDLAND
- NORTHWEST TERRITORIES & NUNAVUT
- NOVA SCOTIA
- ONTARIO
- PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
- QUBEC
- SASKATCHEWAN
- YUKON
FEDERAL
For Which Confined Spaces Are Emergency and Rescue Procedures Required’
Emergency procedures are required for hazardous confined spaces where the specified safe atmospheric and other necessary safety conditions can’t be maintained at all times (COHS Regs., Sec. 11.06).
What Must Emergency and Rescue Procedures Include’
The emergency procedures must be dated to show when they were developed and include: (i) a plan for reporting the emergency, (ii) a list of necessary resources to carry out the emergency procedures, including the number of attendants, and (iii) a plan for immediate evacuation of the hazardous confined space when an alarm is activated, or there’s any significant and potentially dangerous change in the concentration or percentage of oxygen or chemical agents inside the space (COHS Regs., Sec. 11.06).
What Emergency Equipment and PPE Is Required’
The employer must provide each entrant whatever protective equipment that the competent person who does the hazard assessment recommends, and ensure that each entrant wears an appropriate safety harness securely attached to a lifeline that: (a) is attached to a secure anchor outside the hazardous confined space; (b) is controlled by an attendant trained in emergency procedures who must be outside the space and in contact with the entrants; (c) protects the worker without itself creating a hazard; and (d) if feasible, is equipped with a mechanical lifting device; the qualified person must also be equipped with a suitable communication device or alarm for summoning help (COHS Regs., Sec. 11.06).
What Special Training Is Required’
All entrants must be trained in the emergency procedures and proper use of the required PPE and equipment. At least one attendant must be: (a) trained in the emergency procedures and receive annual refresher training; and (b) have a basic first aid and CPR certificate (COHS Regs., Sec. 11.06).
ALBERTA
For Which Confined Spaces Are Emergency and Rescue Procedures Required’
Emergency procedures are required for confined spaces and restricted spaces a person enters (OHS Code, Sec. 55).
What Must Emergency and Rescue Procedures Include’
The employer must ensure that there’s an emergency response plan which includes emergency procedures to be followed in an accident or other emergency, including procedures to evacuate the confined space or restricted space immediately: (a) when an alarm is activated, (b) if the concentration of oxygen inside the confined space drops below 19.5% by volume or exceeds 23.0% by volume, or (c) if there is a significant change in the amount of hazardous substances inside the confined space (OHS Code, Sec. 55).
What Emergency Equipment and PPE Is Required’
The employer must ensure that equipment appropriate to the confined space or restricted space, including PPE, is available to perform a timely rescue, and that there’s an appropriate communication system readily available to workers in the confined space or restricted space (OHS Code, Sec. 48).
What Special Training Is Required’
An employer must ensure that workers responding to a confined space or restricted space emergency are competent in: (a) first aid; (b) the use of appropriate emergency response equipment; (c) procedures appropriate to the confined space or restricted space (OHS Code, Sec. 46(3)).
BRITISH COLUMBIA
For Which Confined Spaces Are Emergency and Rescue Procedures Required’
BC doesn’t expressly require a plan. It just says that the employer must provide for the services of rescue persons when a worker enters any confined space. If the rescue persons work for another firm, or agency such as a fire department, there must be a written agreement detailing the services to be provided (OHS Reg., Sec. 9.37).
What Must Emergency and Rescue Procedures Include’
Rescue or evacuation from a confined space must be directed by a supervisor who’s adequately trained in such procedures or a qualified rescue person. Effective voice communication must be maintained at all times between workers engaged in the rescue or evacuation and the person directing the rescue. A rescue worker may not enter a confined space unless there’s at least one additional worker located outside to give assistance. A self-contained breathing apparatus, or air supplied respirator with escape bottle, must be used during rescue operations in an unknown or IDLH atmosphere (OHS Reg., Sec. 9.41).
What Emergency Equipment and PPE Is Required’
When entering a confined space which with a high hazard atmosphere, risk of entrapment or engulfment or other recognized serious health or safety hazard, the worker must wear a harness of a type to enable rescue which is attached to a lifeline and tended at all times by a standby person stationed outside the entrance to the space who’s equipped with suitable lifting equipment if necessary to permit rescue. Exception: Use of a lifeline isn’t required if the risk assessment identifies obstructions or other conditions making it impractical or unsafe (OHS Reg., Sec. 9.42).
What Special Training Is Required’
Every person assigned rescue duties must be properly equipped and adequately trained to carry out such duties. A practice drill must be conducted at least annually. Records of training and practice drills must be maintained by the employer of the rescue persons (OHS Reg., Sec. 9.38).
MANITOBA
For Which Confined Spaces Are Emergency and Rescue Procedures Required’
The employer must ensure that there’s an emergency response plan and rescue procedures to be implemented in the event of an accident or other emergency in a hazardous confined space (WSH Reg., Sec. 15.2(3)).
What Must Emergency and Rescue Procedures Include’
The WSH Regulations don’t specify what the emergency response plan must include.
What Emergency Equipment and PPE Is Required’
Standby workers must have communication equipment and a means for summoning immediate help. When entry into a hazardous confined space or a confined space is from the top, an employer must ensure that: (a) the worker entering the space and workers carrying out a rescue use a full body harness and are attached to a lifeline unless another appropriate PPE system is provided; (b) where a lifeline is used, the lifeline is attended by a worker who is trained in the emergency response plan and rescue procedures; and (c) where reasonably practicable, a personal hoisting device is: (i) available to assist with a rescue, and (ii) located at the entrance to the space when a worker is in the space. Exception: When use of a full body harness attached to a lifeline would create an additional risk to the worker in the space or wouldn’t be reasonably practicable, an employer must ensure an alternate rescue method is available to immediately remove a worker from the top entry space (WSH Regs., Sec. 15.13).
What Special Training Is Required’
An employer must ensure that the standby worker is qualified as a first aider and trained in hazardous confined space work procedures, entry permit system requirements and emergency and rescue procedures (WSH Regs., Sec. 15.8(2)).
NEW BRUNSWICK
For Which Confined Spaces Are Emergency and Rescue Procedures Required’
Emergency procedures are required for any confined space that a person enters (OHS General Reg., Sec. 263(3)).
What Must Emergency and Rescue Procedures Include’
The competent person who does the confined spaces hazard assessment must set out the emergency procedures, including immediate evacuation of the confined space when an alarm is activated or there’s any significant change in the concentration, level or percentage of oxygen, chemical agents or airborne dusts as part of his/her written report (OHS General Reg., Sec. 263(3)).
What Emergency Equipment and PPE Is Required’
The competent person’s hazard assessment report must specify the PPE and emergency equipment required for safe rescue and evacuation and the employer must ensure that such equipment is provided (OHS General Reg., Secs. 263(3) and (4)).
What Special Training Is Required’
An employer must ensure that the attending worker: (i) holds a valid standard-level first aid certificate issued by the Canadian Red Cross Society or St. John Ambulance, and (ii) is trained in artificial respiration and CPR (OHS General Regs., Sec. 266).
NEWFOUNDLAND
For Which Confined Spaces Are Emergency and Rescue Procedures Required’
Emergency rescue and evacuation procedures are required for any confined space that a person enters (OHS Regs., Sec. 516).
What Must Emergency and Rescue Procedures Include’
The OHS Regulations don’t specify what the emergency rescue and evacuation procedures must include.
What Emergency Equipment and PPE Is Required’
The employer must ensure that a worker who enters a confined space with an actual or potentially harmful atmosphere or who may become entrapped by material: (a) wears appropriate retrieval equipment keeping the worker in a position to be rescued; and (b) has a life-line attached to the retrieval equipment tended at all times by a person, stationed outside the entrance to the confined space who’s equipped for and capable of effecting rescue. Exception: Use of a lifeline isn’t required if an obstruction or other condition makes its use impractical or unsafe but, in that case, an employer still must implement procedures to ensure the worker’s safety (OHS Regs., Sec. 513).
What Special Training Is Required’
Effective Jan. 1, 2013, workers may not work in a confined space unless they complete a government approved confined space entry program (OHS Regs., Sec. 511).
NOVA SCOTIA
For Which Confined Spaces Are Emergency and Rescue Procedures Required’
Written emergency procedures are required for any confined space that a person enters (Occ. Safety Gen. Regs., Sec. 130).
What Must Emergency and Rescue Procedures Include’
Written emergency procedures must be part of the entry procedure and provide for: (i) immediate evacuation of the confined space when an alarm is activated or there’s any significant, unexpected and potentially hazardous change in the concentration, level or percentage of oxygen, chemical substance or chemical substance mixtures; (ii) determination of whether more than one person is required to be present outside a confined space during entry, and (iii) a written rescue procedure (Occ. Safety Gen. Regs., Sec. 130).
What Emergency Equipment and PPE Is Required’
If reasonably practicable, the employer must provide and ensure that a worker who enters a confined space uses a full body harness that meets the requirements for Group E harnesses in the latest version of CSA 259.10, ‘Full Body Harnesses’ with an attached life line securely fastened to an anchor point controlled by the attending worker outside the space (Occ. Safety Gen. Regs., Sec. 134(3)).
What Special Training Is Required’
An employer must ensure that: (a) a person who enters a confined space is trained in the emergency procedures at least once every 2 years; and (b) a person who undertakes rescue operations is trained in the emergency procedures at least once every year (Occ. Safety Gen. Regs., Sec. 130(5)).
ONTARIO
For Which Confined Spaces Are Emergency and Rescue Procedures Required’
Written on-site rescue procedures are one of the elements that must be included in the confined space safety plan which is required for any confined space that a person enters (Confined Space Reg., Sec. 11).
What Must Emergency and Rescue Procedures Include’
The Regulation doesn’t say what the on-site rescue procedures must include.
What Emergency Equipment and PPE Is Required’
The confined space safety plan must specify the equipment necessary to ensure safe rescue and the employer must ensure that such equipment is appropriate, furnished and inspected as often as necessary to ensure it is in good working order, by a person with adequate knowledge, training and experience appointed by the employer (Confined Space Reg., Sec. 12).
What Special Training Is Required’
The employer must ensure there’s an adequate number of persons immediately available to implement the on-site rescue procedures who are trained in: (a) the on-site rescue procedures; (b) first aid and CPR; and
(c) use of the rescue equipment required by the plan for the particular confined space (Confined Space Reg., Sec. 11).
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
For Which Confined Spaces Are Emergency and Rescue Procedures Required’
Written emergency procedures are required for any confined space that a person enters (OHS General Regs., Sec. 13.2).
What Must Emergency and Rescue Procedures Include’
The Regulations don’t say what the written emergency procedures must include.
What Emergency Equipment and PPE Is Required’
The employer must ensure that employees entering a confined space with a hazardous or potentially hazardous atmosphere wear an approved safety harness with attached life line allowing them to be removed from the space (OHS General Regs., Sec. 13.3).
What Special Training Is Required’
The employer must ensure that a person adequately trained in CPR is conveniently available when employees enter a confined space with a hazardous or potentially hazardous atmosphere (OHS General Regs., Sec. 13.3).
QUBEC
For Which Confined Spaces Are Emergency and Rescue Procedures Required’
The employer must ensure a rescue procedure making it possible to rapidly assist any worker performing work in an enclosed area is established and tested (OHS Regs., Sec. 309).
What Must Emergency and Rescue Procedures Include’
This procedure must provide for the necessary rescue equipment and may also provide for a team of rescuers, an evacuation plan, alarm and communications devices, PPE, safety harnesses, lifelines, a first aid kit with emergency equipment and recovery equipment (OHS Regs., Sec. 309).
What Emergency Equipment and PPE Is Required’
Workers entering an enclosed area where free flow materials are stored must wear a safety harness secured by a fall arrest connecting device to an anchorage system (OHS Regs., Sec. 312).
What Special Training Is Required’
Workers involved in rescue operations must be trained in the rescue procedure (OHS Regs., Sec. 301).
SASKATCHEWAN
For Which Confined Spaces Are Emergency and Rescue Procedures Required’
Written rescue procedures are required for any hazardous confined space that a person enters as part of the entry plan for that space (OHS Regs., Sec. 272(1)).
What Must Emergency and Rescue Procedures Include’
The written rescue procedures must include the number and duties of personnel and the availability, location and proper use of equipment (OHS Regs., Sec. 272(1)).
What Emergency Equipment and PPE Is Required’
An employer must ensure that equipment necessary to rescue workers is readily available at the entrance to the hazardous confined space and used in accordance with the entry plan rescue procedures (OHS Regs., Sec. 274(7)). If entrance to a hazardous confined space is from the top: (a) an employer must ensure that: (i) a worker uses a full-body harness and, where appropriate, is attached to a lifeline; (ii) if a lifeline is used, it’s attended by another worker who’s adequately trained in the rescue procedures; and (iii) where reasonably practicable, a mechanical lifting device is available to assist with a rescue and is located at the entry to the confined space while a worker is in the confined space; or (b) an employer must ensure that an alternate method of rescue is implemented if use of a full-body harness or lifeline would create an additional hazard (OHS Regs., Sec. 274(5)).
What Special Training Is Required’
The employer must ensure that when workers enter a hazardous confined space: (a) the holder of a class A qualification in first aid is available to provide immediate first aid; and (b) personnel trained in the rescue procedures and who are fully informed of the hazards in the confined space are readily available to assist in a rescue procedure. The worker tending to the attached lifeline connected to a worker entering a hazardous confined space from the top must also be trained in the rescue procedures (OHS Regs., Sec. 274(7)).
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES & NUNAVUT
For Which Confined Spaces Are Emergency and Rescue Procedures Required’
Written rescue procedures are required for any hazardous confined space that a person enters as part of the entry plan for that space (General Safety Regs., Sec. 279(2)).
What Must Emergency and Rescue Procedures Include’
The written rescue procedures must include the number and duties of personnel and the availability, location and proper use of equipment (General Safety Regs., Sec. 279(2)).
What Emergency Equipment and PPE Is Required’
An employer must ensure that equipment necessary to rescue workers is readily available at the entrance to the hazardous confined space and used in accordance with the entry plan rescue procedures (General Safety Regs., Sec. 281(7)). If entrance to a hazardous confined space is from the top: (a) an employer must ensure that: (i) a worker uses a full-body harness and, where appropriate, is attached to a lifeline; (ii) if a lifeline is used, it’s attended by another worker who’s adequately trained in the rescue procedures; and (iii) where reasonably possible, a mechanical lifting device is available to assist with a rescue and is located at the entry to the confined space while a worker is in the confined space; or (b) an employer must ensure that an alternate method of rescue is implemented if use of a full-body harness or lifeline would create an additional hazard (General Safety Regs., Sec. 281(5)).
What Special Training Is Required’
The employer must ensure that when workers enter a hazardous confined space: (a) the holder of a Level 1 first aid qualification certificate is available to provide immediate first aid; and (b) personnel trained in the rescue procedures and who are fully informed of the hazards in the confined space are readily available to assist in a rescue procedure. The worker tending to the attached lifeline connected to a worker entering a hazardous confined space from the top must also be trained in the rescue procedures (General Safety Regs., Sec. 281(7)).
YUKON
For Which Confined Spaces Are Emergency and Rescue Procedures Required’
Written safe rescue procedures are required for any confined space that a person enters (OHS Regs., Sec. 2.30).
What Must Emergency and Rescue Procedures Include’
The Regulations don’t say what the written safe rescue procedures must include (OHS Regs., Sec. 2.30).
What Emergency Equipment and PPE Is Required’
A worker entering a confined space with a high hazard atmosphere, risk of entrapment or engulfment, or other health and safety hazard must wear a harness of a type that will enable rescue and which is attached to a lifeline tended at all times by a standby person stationed outside the entrance to the confined space and who is provided with appropriate lifting equipment to permit the rescue operation. Exception: Use of a harness and lifeline isn’t required if it’s unsafe or not practicable. If a rescue operation can’t be effected by standby person(s) using the lifeline, harness and lifting equipment, one or more additional persons who are equipped and capable must be stationed outside the entrance to effect the rescue operation. (OHS Regs., Sec. 2.33).
What Special Training Is Required’
Rescue personnel must be appropriately equipped and trained, and hold a practice drill at least once a year (OHS Regs., Sec. 2.30).
