[If an entry is made into a confined space with the worker wearing a harness and attached to a retrieval winch, must procedures be established to summon rescue and emergency services?]

In the new confined space standard, under 1910.146(d)(9), OSHA requires that for permit-required confined spaces, the employer "develop and implement procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services, for rescuing entrants, for providing emergency services to rescued employees, and for preventing unauthorized personnel from attempting a rescue."

Wendell Glazier, the Project Manager for the OSHA standard on confined spaces, was contacted and indicated that the retrieval system could satisfy the rescue requirements, relieving the employer of the need to have a team on standby, as long as this was stipulated in the procedures written to satisfy the requirement under 1910.146(d)(9).

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Last modified: 04/18/96 08:50:32