DEADLY RESCUE - THE CONFINED SPACE HAZARD

Rescue operations in confined spaces can expose the person(s) attempti ng rescue to hazardous atmospheres or to physical hazards such as engu lfment, which are potentially fatal. Two sources of data in the United States on work-related fatalities - the National Institute for Occupa tional Safety and Health (NIOSH) National Traumatic Occupational Fatal ities (NTOF) surveillance system and investigations performed under th e NIOSH Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program - we re used to examine confined space-related deaths. For the years 1980 t hrough 1988, there was an average of 89 work-related deaths in confine d spaces per year, and approximately 23 (25.5%) of those who died were persons attempting rescue. Asphyxiation by atmospheric hazards was th e primary cause of death of those persons attempting rescue. Those per sons who were attempting rescue and who died were more likely to be co -workers than public safety or emergency medical service (EMS) personn el. Since rescue operations in confined spaces present unique hazards, proper training of personnel and the availability of specialized equi pment are required to protect persons attempting rescue from injury an d death. Safety supervisors and public safety and EMS personnel should be familiar with the recognition of confined space hazards and the us e of appropriate rescue techniques.