Confined Space Rescue
SOG C-1 revised 09/12/06 Barber Page 1 of 3
BACKGROUND & DEFINITIONS

Fire Department units may encounter confined spaces of many different types, shapes, and sizes. Most of these are easily recognized as a confined space but some are not (i.e. open tanks or pits). Before OSHA regulations for confined spaces were issued in 1993, approximately 300 deaths a year occurred in the U.S., most caused by poor atmospheric conditions within the confined space. Nearly 60% of the 300 annual fatalities involved the would-be rescuers. Therefore it is imperative for AFD units to approach and deal with a confined space incident with caution, common sense, and the guidelines outlined here.

A Confined Space is one which has all of the following characteristics:

a) Is large enough for an employee to bodily enter and perform assigned work

b) Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit

c) Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy

CONTINUED.....

Click here to download or read the full SOP:
confinedspace_anchorage.pdf