Confined Space Rescue

When someone collapses in a tank, vault or manhole, the instinct is to climb in and help. That instinct kills. A large share of confined space deaths are would-be rescuers who enter without air or equipment. Rescue must be planned, equipped and practiced before the first person enters.

• Entry Attendants
• Rescue Team Members
• Fire Department Personnel
• Safety Managers
• Supervisors

Rescue options

• Non-entry rescue: pulling an entrant out with a retrieval line attached to a harness, using a winch or tripod. This is the preferred method and is required for vertical permit space entries deeper than 5 feet unless it would add risk.
• Entry rescue by trained rescuers who wear SCBA or supplied air, harnesses and use rescue equipment when the entrant can't be pulled out, for example around obstacles or with serious injury.
• On-site or off-site rescue teams: in-house teams or outside services (fire departments or contractors) that the employer has evaluated for response time, training and equipment. See Confined Spaces and Tank Cleaning & Vessel Entry.

OSHA requirements (summary)

• Employers must have procedures for summoning rescue, rescuing entrants and preventing unauthorized rescue.
• A rescue service must respond in time for the hazards of the space, be trained and equipped for the particular spaces, have at least one member with first aid and CPR, and practice rescues at least every 12 months using representative spaces.
• Rescuers must be trained in the PPE and rescue equipment, and as authorized entrants for the spaces.
• Employers must give rescue teams access to the spaces and permits and tell them of hazards. See Gas Detectors.

Equipment

• Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or supplied-air respirators with escape bottles. Cartridge respirators are not for IDLH or oxygen-deficient atmospheres. See Respiratory Protection.
• Full-body harnesses and retrieval lines. Tripods, davits, winches and rope systems for vertical lifts. See Jib Cranes & Davit Cranes.
• Multi-gas monitors, ventilation, lighting and communications rated for the space.
• Patient packaging tools such as rescue stretchers (litters), vertical lift harnesses and cervical collars.
• First aid, oxygen and AED equipment. See CPR & AED.

During a rescue

• The attendant orders evacuation, calls the rescue team and starts non-entry retrieval if available. The attendant does not enter. See Confined Spaces.
• Rescuers size up the hazards: atmosphere, energy isolation (re-verify lockout), engulfment, heat and structure. Ventilate if safe.
• Rescuers use air supply and proper PPE and a team approach, with a standby rescuer outside ready to help.
• Care for the patient quickly: airway, breathing, circulation, spinal precautions where needed, then removal. See Spinal Injuries.
• Hand over to EMS with information on the exposure, time down and permit.

Preparing

• Practice with realistic drills in the actual spaces or mock-ups, including nighttime and bad weather, and time the response.
• Plan communication, access for ambulances and fire trucks and written pre-plans.
• Train every attendant and entrant on why they must not rush in.
• Review every drill and incident for lessons.

Confined space rescue checklist

• The rescue plan, team and equipment are ready before entry starts
• Entrants wear harnesses with retrieval lines; a winch or tripod is set up for deep entries
• The rescue service's response time and training have been evaluated
• The attendant knows to call, retrieve and never enter
• Rescue drills are held at least annually in representative spaces

Last updated: October 8, 2026