VP ESS’s Confined Space Rescue Team offers a range of services to allow you to safely execute your task in a confined space. Our highly qualified and experienced team of Confined Space Safety and Rescue specialists have a genuine understanding of the issues faced within these challenging environments and are fully compliant with the requirements of confined space regulations. Qualified not only to manage, work and rescue in confined spaces, but they are also trained and experienced in carrying out emergency medical treatment in accordance with NHS protocols, including first aid and resuscitation.

When work takes place in a confined space, having a suitable emergency rescue plan is essential. A confined space rescue team provides specialist personnel, equipment and support to help protect workers who may become injured, incapacitated or otherwise unable to exit a confined space safely.

VP ESS provides specialist confined space rescue team services to support businesses working in high-risk environments. Our experienced rescue teams can provide standby rescue support, specialist rescue equipment and practical assistance for confined space entry operations

A confined space rescue team is a group of trained personnel equipped and prepared to respond to an emergency involving workers inside a confined space.

Confined spaces can present a range of hazards, including:

• Toxic or hazardous atmospheres
• Oxygen deficiency or enrichment
• Fire and explosion risks
• Flooding or engulfment
• Falls from height
• Restricted access and difficult escape routes
• Mechanical or electrical hazards
• Heat, fumes and other environmental conditions
• Injury or sudden illness

Because access and egress can be restricted, a conventional emergency response may not be sufficient. A specialist rescue team can be prepared to enter or recover personnel from challenging environments using appropriate rescue procedures and equipment.

Entering a confined space can expose workers to hazards that may not be immediately visible. If an emergency occurs, there may be limited time to recover a casualty safely.

A properly planned rescue arrangement can help businesses respond quickly and effectively to an emergency.

A confined space rescue plan should consider the specific environment, foreseeable hazards, access and egress arrangements, the number of workers involved and the rescue equipment required.

Rescue arrangements should not rely solely on the emergency services arriving at the site. Where the risks require it, organisations should ensure that suitable emergency arrangements and competent rescue personnel are available.

The exact role of a rescue team depends on the risk assessment and rescue plan. Typical responsibilities can include:

Pre-entry planning

Before work begins, the rescue team can review the working environment, access points, hazards and proposed rescue arrangements.

Emergency preparedness

The team ensures that appropriate rescue equipment is available, inspected and ready for use.

Atmospheric monitoring

Where required, specialist gas detection equipment can be used to monitor the atmosphere for hazards such as oxygen deficiency and potentially hazardous gases.

Communication

Maintaining reliable communication between workers, supervisors and the rescue team can be an important part of confined space operations.

Casualty recovery

If an emergency occurs, trained rescue personnel can follow the agreed rescue procedure to recover a casualty using suitable techniques and equipment.

Emergency response

The rescue team can provide an immediate on-site response while the site's wider emergency procedures and external emergency services are activated where appropriate.

Confined space rescue equipment

A rescue team may use a range of specialist equipment depending on the environment and rescue requirements.

Equipment can include:

• Tripods and davit systems
• Winches and recovery systems
• Rescue harnesses
• Fall arrest and fall recovery equipment
• Gas detection equipment
• Breathing apparatus where appropriate
• Respiratory protective equipment
• Rescue stretchers
• Lifelines and retrieval systems
• Communications equipment
• Lighting
• Personal protective equipment

The equipment required should always be selected based on the specific risks and rescue scenario rather than using a generic equipment list.

Confined space rescue arrangements may be required across a wide range of industries, including:

• Utilities
• Water and wastewater
• Energy
• Power generation
• Petrochemical
• Oil and gas
• Manufacturing
• Construction
• Rail
• Infrastructure
• Industrial maintenance
• Data centres

By choosing ESS to provide your confined space rescue support, you receive the reassurance of knowing you have a team with the expertise and equipment to take life-saving action if the time comes.  As the leading safety equipment rental company, we have nurtured relationships with the leading safety equipment manufacturers and are proud to stock one of the most modern and cutting-edge fleets in the UK. As such, you can feel confident that your Rescue teams will be equipped to carry out the task at hand.

Experienced professionals, huge knowledge in confined space working with varied scenarios whose in-depth understanding will ensure safe entries into confined spaces which in turn will ensure compliance to the Confined Space Regulation 1997.

Qualified to the latest UK Water Qualifications - WUK02 Safe Entry into the Water UK Confined Space Classification NC2, NC3 and NC4 and WUK04 Confined Space Rescue (City & Guilds Recognised Qualification).

Confined Space Medical Qualification FREC3  - This includes Basic Life Support including oxygen resuscitation,  administration of Entonox, defibrillation, spinal injury immobilisation, advanced casualty treatment, extrication of a casualty from a confined space and liaising with the Emergency Services, we are also licenced to carry and administer medical gases and adhere to strict clinical governance