According to OSHA, roughly 60 percent of deaths in confined spaces are from physical hazards including “struck by,” “caught in,” “collapses” and “falls.” At least another 30 percent are atmospheric hazards, including fires. Such hazards can be standalone events, but often occur in combination with other confined space hazards. Knowing what to do – and having a plan in place – can mean the difference between life and death.
Picture this scenario: A coworker is passed out in a 20-foot deep holding tank. He is unresponsive and needs to be extracted immediately. Do you dial 911 and wait for a rescue crew to respond? Can you pull him out? If you have to go in and rescue him, do you have the training and equipment to do so? What do you do?