EH&S PROCEDURE

25-010534
Confined Space Rescue Rev. 1
Page 1 of 9
Uncontrolled copy if printed valid for use on date of print: Print Date: 11/30/21

PSP-01099114: Denotes Revision

1. PURPOSE

1.1 This procedure outlines mandatory requirements for confined space rescue operations.

2. SCOPE

2.1 This procedure applies to all Air Products, contractor and other third party personnel working
on or within an Air Products' facility. When working on 3rd party sites, Air Products personnel
will follow the more stringent of the 3rd party policy or this Air Products procedure.

3. DEFINITIONS

3.1 Breathing Apparatus - For the purpose of this procedure, "breathing apparatus" will mean a
positive pressure system with either breathing air supplied from a cylinder mounted on a
harness worn by the user, complete with full face mask and gauge to show contents of the
cylinder, or, systems comprising of helmets or full face masks worn by the user and connected
to fixed air lines, commonly used by staff working in a potentially dangerous atmosphere, e.g.,
Emergency Response Teams, confined space work, etc.

3.2 Entry Rescue: Entry into a confined space is considered the breaking of the plane of an
opening into the space by any part of the body. An entry rescue is any time you would
anticipate that a rescuer would have to break the plane of the space with any part of the
rescuer’s body in order to assist the entrant in leaving the space or facilitating a rescue
operation.

3.3 On Site: For the purposes of having a Rescue Team "on site", on site means
1. "within the plant fenceline" and available to initiate a rescue when notified; OR
2. Where the facility is located inside an industrial complex that has, as part of its "mutual
aid" arrangements, a designated team of individuals that are trained to perform confined
space rescues, and their function is to perform confined space rescues at our facility.

3.3.1 For both situations, the designated rescue team must be available to initiate a rescue when
notified and be properly included in the entry planning and site orientations as described in our
procedures.

3.3.2 Actual time required to initiate rescue operations is specific to each entry and should be
considered as part of the rescue plan. On-site is the minimum standard. If on-site is still too
long because the site is too large, then the rescue planning should provide more stringent
requirements.

3.4 Retrieval system: The equipment (including a retrieval line, body harness, wristlets, if
appropriate, and a lifting device or anchor) used for non-entry rescue of persons from permit
spaces.

All information herein is the property of ©Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., unless another source is shown. This document is
classified as Air Products internal use only, is subject to return on demand and must not be disclosed or reproduced without
prior written consent. This information may be subject to export controls. Disclosure contrary to U.S. law is prohibited.
 Confined Space Rescue
25-010534, Rev. 1, Page 2 of 9

4. SUMMARY

4.1 The Confined Space Rescue Plan (See Attachment 1) addresses rescue requirements for
permit-required confined spaces. The rescue provider must be included in the development of the
rescue plan.

4.2 On-site and outside service rescuers who enter permit-required confined spaces to perform
rescue services must conform to requirements and be trained in functions that pertain to confined
space rescue. Rescuers must be equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment and
rescue equipment appropriate for the specific confined space being entered.

4.3 Non-entry rescue from a permit required confined space using retrieval system is preferred.

4.4 Mechanical lifting devices are required to retrieve entrants from vertical confined spaces more
than 1.25 m (4 ft) deep and must be appropriate for rescue service.

4.5 Air Products personnel involved in entry-rescue operations must meet the training
requirements outlined in 25-020534, as well as the requirements contained in this procedure.

5. PROCEDURE

5.1 Confined Space Rescue Plan

5.1.1 All confined space work must be carried out in accordance with 25-010533.

5.1.2 A risk assessment must be conducted to determine the appropriate rescue method (Entry
versus Non-Entry Rescue). Non-entry rescue is generally preferred as it exposes the least
number of entrants to any dangerous conditions which may have developed within the space.
However, Non-Entry Rescue methods have limitations which must be considered when
developing a plan. Non-entry rescue methods are generally limited to “line of sight” rescues
and straight vertical or horizontal pulls. More complicated rescue scenarios may require an
Entry Rescue method. See the decision tree in Appendix B for guidelines to assist in
determining a rescue method.

5.1.3 The Confined Space Rescue Plan must be documented and address rescue for Permit
Required Confined Spaces. Site management is responsible for the development of the rescue
plan, and it must be reviewed during the pre-entry meeting.

5.1.4 All rescuers must be provided access (when possible) to confined spaces (or similar spaces)
from which rescue may be necessary prior to the entry to facilitate the development of rescue
plans and practice operations.

5.1.5 An entry rescue team (of at least two rescuers per shift) must be available on the site if
entry is anticipated into a permit-required confined space in order to rescue entrants
(Entry Rescue). Conversely, a formally trained rescue team is not required for confined
space rescue entry operations in which rescue can be conducted without entry (Non-Entry
Rescue).

5.1.6 Each site must evaluate the rescue capabilities (of the On-site Rescue Team and any Outside
Services Rescue Team) and determine that it can reach the victim(s) within a timeframe that
is appropriate for the confined space hazards and is properly equipped for and proficient in
performing the required rescue. See Appendix A for guidelines on evaluating Rescue Teams.

All information herein is the property of ©Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., unless another source is shown. This document is
classified as Air Products internal use only, is subject to return on demand and must not be disclosed or reproduced without
prior written consent. This information may be subject to export controls. Disclosure contrary to U.S. law is prohibited.
 Confined Space Rescue
25-010534, Rev. 1, Page 3 of 9

5.2 Pre-Entry Drills

5.2.1 Each planned, permit required confined space entry operation shall include a practice rescue
or drill prior to commencement of entry operations (whether entry or non-entry rescue). This
drill is not required to be repeated for every shift where a drill has already been conducted
involving the same rescue team members, equipment and rescue technique into the same
confined space under the same permit. If more than one rescue team member is replaced
(i.e., shift change), another drill must be conducted to test the plan and execution of the
PSP-01099114 rescue plan by the new members. If only one of the rescue team members is replaced,
execution of another rescue drill is not required, but may be completed at the discretion of the
Confined Space Entry Supervisor.

5.2.2 Practice rescues should, to the full extent feasible, be as realistic as possible and include
simulated rescue operations in which rescuers remove dummies or mannequins from the
actual permit spaces or from representative spaces.

5.2.2.1 The purpose of conducting a pre-entry rescue drill is to ensure that rescuers have drilled in the
necessary skills to perform the rescue safely and successfully. The drill will also serve as a
function check of systems, equipment and notification methods prior to entry.

5.3 On-Site Entry Rescuers

5.3.1 On-site rescuers who enter confined spaces to perform rescue must be trained specifically in
confined space rescue. Rescuers must be equipped with the necessary personal protective
equipment and rescue equipment appropriate for the specified confined space being entered.

5.3.1.1 On-site rescuers who enter confined spaces to perform rescue services must be properly
trained in Air Products confined space procedures and have current confined space entry
training.

5.3.1.2 All personnel participating in Emergency Response and Confined Space entry-rescue must
undergo health surveillance and fitness checks at frequencies determined by the Occupational
Health practitioner/appointed Company doctor/Corporate Medical. A certificate of fitness shall
be issued to the facility manager. Refer to EH&S procedures on Medical and Health
Surveillance for details.

5.3.1.3 Entry rescuers must follow Permit Required Confined Space Entry Procedures in order to
execute a rescue operation. To the extent that Air Products’ maintains control in an
emergency, rescuers will sign in and out of a space and be subject to the control of the
Attendant and Entry Supervisor (unless that command structure has been replaced by an
outside, authority (i.e., Fire Department Incident Command).

5.3.2 Training for On-Site Entry Rescuers

5.3.2.1 All training must be provided by a competent person.

5.3.2.2 On-site rescuers must receive annual training and demonstrate competency in:
• Use of breathing air apparatus.
• Use of the personal protective equipment required for confined spaces.
• Use of the rescue equipment required for confined spaces.
• Performance of assigned rescue duties.
• Performance of entry procedures.
• Methods of extricating and rescuing victims.
• Hands-on practice of simulated rescue operations.

5.3.3 Basic First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

All information herein is the property of ©Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., unless another source is shown. This document is
classified as Air Products internal use only, is subject to return on demand and must not be disclosed or reproduced without
prior written consent. This information may be subject to export controls. Disclosure contrary to U.S. law is prohibited.
 Confined Space Rescue
25-010534, Rev. 1, Page 4 of 9

5.3.3.1 At least one entry rescue team member must hold current certification in first aid and CPR.

5.3.3.2 Basic First Aid and CPR training and certification must be from an approved course.

5.3.3.3 All rescuers must have current Bloodborne Pathogens training (annually in the U.S)

5.4 Outside Services Rescuers

5.4.1 When outside services rescuers are used to perform/assist rescues from confined spaces, they
must be informed of the hazards they may confront prior to entry.

5.4.2 Rescue services may be provided by Air Products employees, contractors, or other rescue
services (such as fire departments, public rescue teams, industry mutual aids). However
rescuers must be on-site during the entry operations.

5.4.3 Contracted services are required to supply their own technical rescue equipment (such as
rope, rescue hardware, respiratory equipment).

5.4.4 Training of Outside Services Rescuers

5.4.4.1 Training for rescue services must meet the same requirements or better than those specified
for Air Products rescuers.

5.4.4.2 Access must be provided for the rescue services to all confined spaces from which rescue may
be necessary so that appropriate rescue plans can be developed and to practice rescue
operations. This can be achieved prior to a confined space outage.

5.5 Non-Entry Rescue

5.5.1 Non-entry rescue from a permit required confined space using retrieval systems is preferred.

5.5.2 The workplace risk assessment must address the suitability and safe use of certain retrieval
devices for the specific case. Difficult access may prohibit easy use of retrieval lines, which
could get caught around equipment or other persons.

5.5.3 Personnel expected to perform non-entry rescue must be trained and qualified to operate
rescue equipment they are expected to operate in order to perform a rescue. Non-entry
rescuers do not require the same level of training as entry rescuers. They must also be
physically capable of performing the rescue duties expected of them. During non-entry rescue,
personnel must be available on-site that hold current certification in first aid and CPR.

5.5.3.1 Non-entry rescue is acceptable in the following situations:

1. A situation exists where a victim can be pulled vertically from an opening and there is no
possibility of the victim being dragged from the side of the opening or being hung up on
piping or protruding objects.
2. Conditions are suitable for a victim to be pulled horizontally from an opening with no
possibility of being dragged around or over obstructions such as piping or building
supports.
3. The attendant can perform any or all of the rescue duties as described above without
entry into the confined space area. No additional rescue personnel are required to be on-
site during this type of entry.

5.5.3.2 Unsuitable situations for non-entry rescue are:

1. The space has obstructions or turns that prevent the retrieval line from pulling the entrant
from the space.
2. The possibility exists for a victim to be injured because of forceful contact with projections
in the space.

All information herein is the property of ©Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., unless another source is shown. This document is
classified as Air Products internal use only, is subject to return on demand and must not be disclosed or reproduced without
prior written consent. This information may be subject to export controls. Disclosure contrary to U.S. law is prohibited.
 Confined Space Rescue
25-010534, Rev. 1, Page 5 of 9

3. The retrieval line cannot be controlled to prevent entanglement with other lines such as air
hoses to air supplied respirators, welding cables, drop light cords, etc.

5.6 Requirement for the Use of Mechanical Lifting Devices

5.6.1 Mechanical lifting devices are required to retrieve entrants from vertical confined spaces as
identified in the Risk Assessment, but in all cases where the entry is more than 1.25 m (4 ft)
deep. Mechanical lifting equipment must be appropriate for rescue service.

5.6.2 Entrants use full body harnesses with retrieval lines attached at the center of the entrant's
back near shoulder level.

5.6.3 The opposite end of the retrieval line from the entrant is attached to the mechanical lifting
device or a fixed point outside the confined space so that rescue can begin immediately.

5.6.4 The use of cranes and other motorized lifting devices is prohibited for the extraction of an
entrant from a confined space.

5.6.5 Wristlets may be used instead of a full body harness if it can be demonstrated that use of a
body harness is not feasible or proves a greater safety hazard and that wristlets are a safer
alternative (unless specified otherwise by national legislations).

5.7 Maintenance

5.7.1 All equipment used in any Emergency Response or Confined Space operation must be
incorporated into a Planned Inspection and Maintenance program (refer to 25-012001).

5.7.2 Maintenance and inspection methods and frequencies of rescue equipment must be in
accordance with its individual manufacturer’s recommendation. If none is specified, equipment
shall be inspected monthly. Equipment without manufacturers instructions shall, at a
minimum, be inspected for cleanliness, function and serviceability.

5.7.3 Inspections shall be documented.

5.7.4 Repairs shall only be made as recommended by the manufacturer.

6. RESPONSIBILITIES

6.1 Not Applicable.

7. RELATED INFORMATION
The following forms, referenced in this procedure, are available on-line at the Field EH&S
Intranet site:
About This Document
Version History

All information herein is the property of ©Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., unless another source is shown. This document is
classified as Air Products internal use only, is subject to return on demand and must not be disclosed or reproduced without
prior written consent. This information may be subject to export controls. Disclosure contrary to U.S. law is prohibited.
 Confined Space Rescue
25-010534, Rev. 1, Page 6 of 9

Appendix A
Evaluation of Rescue Services

This appendix provides guidance in evaluating a rescue service. It contains criteria that may be used to
evaluate the capabilities both of prospective and current rescue teams.

The evaluation should consist of two components:

• An initial evaluation, to decide whether a rescue service or team is adequately trained and equipped
to perform permit space rescues of the kind needed at the facility and whether such rescuers can
respond in a timely manner.
• A performance evaluation, to measure the performance of the team or service during an actual or
practice rescue.

Initial Evaluation

Meet directly with the rescue service to complete the evaluation. Merely posting the service's number or
planning to rely on the local emergency phone number (For example: 911) to obtain these services at
the time of a permit space emergency is not acceptable. Rescue services must be on site during entry
operations.

The capabilities required of a rescue service vary with the type of permit spaces from which rescue may
be necessary and the hazards likely to be encountered in those spaces. Answering the questions below
will help determine if the rescue service is capable of performing rescues in the permit spaces present at
the workplace.

1. What are the response time requirements (time for the rescue service to receive notification, arrive
at the scene, and be ready for entry)? For example, if entry is to be made into an IDLH atmosphere,
or into a space that can quickly develop an IDLH atmosphere (if ventilation fails or for other
reasons), the rescue team or service would need to be standing by at the permit space. On the
other hand, if the danger to entrants is restricted to mechanical hazards that would cause injuries
(e.g., broken bones, abrasions) a response time of 10 or 15 minutes might be adequate.

2. Can the rescue team respond to the rescue site within the response time requirements? Relevant
factors to consider would include: the location of the rescue team on. Potential bottlenecks or traffic
congestion that might be encountered in transit, the reliability of the rescuer's vehicles, and the
training and skill of its drivers.

3. How soon after notification can a rescue service dispatch a rescue team to the entry site?

4. Is the rescue service available? If the rescue service becomes unavailable while an entry is
underway, does it have the capability of notifying the Entry Supervisor so they can instruct the
attendant to stop entry operations immediately?

5. Is the rescue team willing to perform rescues at the workplace? (You may not rely on a rescuer who
declines, for whatever reason, to provide rescue services.)

6. Is an adequate method for communications between the attendant, site and rescuer available so
that a rescue request can be transmitted to the rescuer without delay?

7. For rescues into spaces that may pose significant atmospheric hazards and from which rescue entry,
patient packaging and retrieval cannot be safely accomplished in a relatively short time (15-20
minutes), consider using airline respirators (with escape bottles) for the rescuers and to supply
rescue air to the patient. If you decide to use SCBA, is there an ample supply of replacement
cylinders and procedures for rescuers to enter and exit (or be retrieved) well within the SCBA's air
supply limits?

All information herein is the property of ©Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., unless another source is shown. This document is
classified as Air Products internal use only, is subject to return on demand and must not be disclosed or reproduced without
prior written consent. This information may be subject to export controls. Disclosure contrary to U.S. law is prohibited.
 Confined Space Rescue
25-010534, Rev. 1, Page 7 of 9

8. If the space has a vertical entry over 5 feet in depth, can the rescue service properly perform entry
rescues? Does the service have the technical knowledge and equipment to perform rope work or
elevated rescue, if needed?

9. Does the rescue service have the necessary skills in medical evaluation, patient packaging and
emergency response?

10. Does the rescue service have the necessary equipment to perform rescues, or must the equipment
be provided by the site or another source?

Performance Evaluation

Confined Space Rescuers must conduct a pre-entry drill. As part of each practice session, the service
should perform a critique of the practice rescue so that deficiencies in procedures, equipment, training,
or number of personnel can be identified and corrected. The results of the critique, and the corrections
made to respond to any deficiencies should be used to determine whether the rescue service meets the
rescue needs.
The following questions will help evaluate performance.

1. Have all members of the service been trained as permit space entrants, at a minimum, including
training in the potential hazards of all permit spaces, or of representative permit spaces, from which
rescue may be needed?

2. Can team members recognize the signs, symptoms, and consequences of exposure to any
hazardous atmospheres that may be present in those permit spaces?

3. Is every team member provided with, and properly trained in, the use and need for PPE, such as
SCBA or fall arrest equipment, which may be required to perform permit space rescues in the
facility?

4. Is every team member properly trained to perform their functions and make rescues, and to use
rescue equipment that may be needed in a rescue attempt?

5. Are team members trained in the first aid and medical skills needed to treat victims overcome or
injured by the types of hazards that may be encountered in the permit spaces at the facility?

6. Do all team members perform their functions safely and efficiently?

7. Do rescue service personnel focus on their own safety before considering the safety of the victim?

8. If necessary, can the rescue service properly test the atmosphere to determine if it is IDLH?

9. Can the rescue personnel identify information pertinent to the rescue from entry permits, hot work
permits, and MSDSs?

10. Has the rescue service been informed of any hazards to personnel that may arise from outside the
space?

11. If necessary, can the rescue service properly package and retrieve victims from a permit space that
has a limited size opening (less than 24 inches (60.9 cm) in diameter), limited internal space, or
internal obstacles or hazards?

12. If necessary, can the rescue service safely perform an elevated (high angle) rescue?

13. Does the rescue service have a plan for each of the kinds of permit space rescue operations at the
facility?

14. Is the plan adequate for all types of rescue operations that may be needed at the facility?

All information herein is the property of ©Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., unless another source is shown. This document is
classified as Air Products internal use only, is subject to return on demand and must not be disclosed or reproduced without
prior written consent. This information may be subject to export controls. Disclosure contrary to U.S. law is prohibited.
 Confined Space Rescue
25-010534, Rev. 1, Page 8 of 9

Appendix B
Entry versus Non-Entry Rescue Guidelines

Draft Guidelines to help direct decision.

Entry Non Entry

Rescue Rescue

Multiple Entrants Single Entrant

Line of sight entry. Entrant is

Space contains configuration limited in their entry to a
hazards which obstruct straight vertical or horizontal
retrieval lines retrival.

Entry requires turns and No obstructions on the floor

twists which would entangle or walls which a victim would
retrieval devices. have to be dragged across.

Hazardous work activities Low risk work activities

are taking place in the space
which may injure an Entrant
making physical retrieval of
the victim by non-entry
rescue methods more
hazardous to the Entrant (i.e.
reasonable fall hazards).

Hazardous work activities

are taking place in the
space, or the space is so
configured that a likely
scenario is one where the
victim would have to be
attended to immediately and
could not be dragged from
the space prior to receiveing
first aid, CPR or supplied
breathing air.

All information herein is the property of ©Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., unless another source is shown. This document is
classified as Air Products internal use only, is subject to return on demand and must not be disclosed or reproduced without
prior written consent. This information may be subject to export controls. Disclosure contrary to U.S. law is prohibited.
 Confined Space Rescue
25-010534, Rev. 1, Page 9 of 9

Attachment 1

Confined Space Rescue Plan

PSP-01099114 Confined Space Location Safety Work Permit and Confined

Space Permit Numbers

Purpose of Entry Date of Entry

Description of Entry:
(Example: Vertical or horizontal entry, size of opening, at or above grade, scaffold required, etc.)

Method to Summon Rescue Team:

Rescue Techniques: Entry Rescue Non-Entry Rescue

Equipment Needed for Rescue:

(Example: Rescue-matic/block and tackle, etc.)

Personnel Assigned to Rescue:

Rescue Team Action Items:

Pre-entry Drill:
A Pre-entry Drill was conducted specific to this entry involving the rescue team members (as
designated above). Each shift where different rescuers or rescue teams are in place for this entry
requires a Pre-entry Drill.

Entry Rescue Guidelines Non-Entry Rescue Guidelines

• At least two entry rescuers per shift must be on site at all Non-entry rescue may not require trained entry rescue
times when a permit required confined space entry is personnel to be on-site.
anticipated into a permit-required confined space in order • Prior to each shift or entry, the rescue team must be
to rescue entrants. identified to the entrants and attendant.
• Prior to each shift or entry, the rescue team must be • The rescue team must provide two functions:
identified to the entrants and attendant. 1. Extract the entrant(s) from the space.
• The rescue team must provide two functions: 2. Treat the victims.
1. Extract the entrant(s) from the space. • A non-entry rescuer MUST NOT enter the space to
2. Treat the victims. perform rescue operations.
• The entry rescuer may work at the space assisting the • The Attendant may act to initiate rescue if non-entry
entrants, but must not enter the space to work with the rescue has been specified, however, they must
entrants. maintain control of the entry point until they have been
• The Attendant must not be the designated entry rescuer, properly relieved as Attendant.
but may act to initiate rescue if non-entry rescue has been
specified.

Confined Space Entry Supervisor Approval: ____________________________________

Form 2026-12 (Rev 02/16)

All information herein is the property of ©Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., unless another source is shown. This document is
classified as Air Products internal use only, is subject to return on demand and must not be disclosed or reproduced without
prior written consent. This information may be subject to export controls. Disclosure contrary to U.S. law is prohibited.