Yup, we do the same, Chris, even though our rescue team is ALWAYS an outside team. Harness, tie line, and tripod for all entries. Didn't mention tripods in my first post since that wasn't part of question (it was about harnesses.) We're actually trying out a truck mounted winch (with ability to be put on a stand for the rare occasion when a truck cannot be located close enough to the hole) as a possible replacement to a tripod, which the guys are really excited about. -mm PS, For anyone who's considering that route, here's some tips on how we were able to finally get it implemented here. Took quite a few years and a lot of trust-building, but we finally have confined space entries I'm not terrified to see every time I walk out the door: There were hints that we would encounter a lot of resistance to having to "set up all that junk" (the tripod etc), especially with it not being "required" by regulation. So I deferred those kinds of questions until the fire service that acts as our rescue service came out and participated in a mock rescue of a couple of our guys. Then I asked the Fire Dudes for THEIR advice to the concerns I'd been hearing -- "Wouldn't our tripods etc be in your way if you did a rescue?" "Wouldn't wearing a tie line and harness just get someone tangled up, hindering rescue?" In all cases, the fire service said NO, that the more prepped the rescue scene was when they arrived, the faster they could get someone out of that hole. And they explained exactly why it was better (e.g., "if we need to disconnect your tie line to get you to the mouth of the hole without getting hung up on a valve, fine; at least we'd be able to follow that tie line to find you a lot faster if there's any smoke or debris"). Maybe this wouldn't all be necessary if I weren't a woman, who knows. But it's helpful when you've got a bunch of tough guys to have even tougher guys tell 'em EXACTLY what taking these precautions would do for them in a true emergency. Not just "you should" but "why". That way it's not the Safety Geek saying "do it this way"; instead, it's the Tough Fire Dude saying "I can't drag your sorry 200-lb a_ _ across all these pipes unless you have something more than coveralls for me to grab onto, and if I have to spend 2 minutes or more getting a harness onto you, that's a lotta dead brain cells for you." (Please don't label me a sexist here for saying "guys" -- all our folks in confined space entry and the rescue service ARE men). Might not work for everybody, but for those in shoes like mine, it's worth a try (and be sure to vet out the rescue service first to make sure you know what their answers are going to be!). Mary M. Cavanaugh, CIH phone 828.262.6838 email cavanaughmm**At_Symbol_Here**appstate.edu -----Original Message----- From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of Chris Marlowe Sent: Saturday, October 07, 2006 3:59 PM To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] [aihaih-list] Confined Space Rescue Mary: My employer relies on external (public, or host-employer) rescue teams whenever we can. We usually find one. We probably provide our own rescuers about 15% of the time. Even when we are not the rescuers, I require a tripod and harness for most entries where non-entry rescue would work. It's dumb to count on rescuers when the attendant has only to crank the winch. Stay healthy, Chris Marlowe 42 Highlander Dr Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 908 / 754 - 5160 (home) 732 / 539 - 8128 (cell) Chrismarlowe**At_Symbol_Here**comcast.net
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