Public Emergency Medical Services Research Articles

Deadly rescue: The confined space hazard

Rescue operations in confined spaces can expose the person(s) attempting rescue to hazardous atmospheres or to physical hazards such as engulf- ment, 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 Fatalities (NTOF) surveillance system and investigations performed under the NIOSH Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program — were used to examine confined space-related deaths. For the years 1980 through 1988, there was an average of 89 work-related deaths in confined spaces per year, and approximately 23 (25.5%) of those who died were persons attempting rescue. Asphyxiation by atmospheric hazards was the primary cause of death of those persons attempting rescue. Those persons who were attempting rescue and who died were more likely to be co-workers than public safety or emergency medical service (EMS) personnel. Since rescue operations in confined spaces present unique hazards, proper training of personnel and the availability of specialized equipment are required to protect persons attempting rescue from injury and death. Safety supervisors and public safety and EMS personnel should be familiar with the recognition of confined space hazards and the use of appropriate rescue techniques.