FactSheet

Is 911 your Confined Space Rescue Plan?

Permit-required confined spaces can present conditions that are immediately 

dangerous to workers’ lives or health if not properly identified, evaluated, tested 

and controlled. 

OSHA has developed a standard for Confined 

Spaces in Construction (29 CFR 1926 Subpart 

AA) for any space that meets all of the following 

criteria:

• Is large enough for a worker to enter;

• Has limited means of entry or exit; and 

• Is not designed for continuous occupancy.

One provision of the standard requires 

employers to develop and implement procedures 

for summoning rescue or emergency services in 

permit-required confined spaces. An employer 

who relies on local emergency services for 

assistance is required to meet the requirements 

of §1926.1211 — Rescue and emergency services. 

OSHA recognizes that not all rescue services or 

emergency responders are trained and equipped 

to conduct confined space rescues. When 

employers identify an off-site rescue service, 

it is critical that the rescuers can protect their 

employees. The emergency services should 

be familiar with the exact site location, types 

of permit-required confined spaces and the 

necessary rescue equipment.

For Employers 

Calling emergency responders to provide rescue 

services can be a suitable way of providing for 

rescues in a permit-required confined space. 

Pre-planning will ensure that the emergency 

service is capable, available and prepared. 

Prior to the start of the rescue work operation, 

employers must evaluate prospective 

emergency responders and select one that has:

• Adequate equipment for rescues, such 

as: atmospheric monitors, fall protection, 

extraction equipment, and self-contained 

breathing apparatus (SCBA) for the particular 

permit-required confined spaces.

• The ability to respond and conduct a rescue in a 

timely manner based on the site conditions and 

is capable of conducting a rescue if faced with 

potential hazards specific to the space. Such 

hazards may include:

{ Atmospheric hazards (e.g., flammable 

vapors, low oxygen)

{ Electrocution (e.g., unprotected, 

energized wires)

{ Flooding or engulfment potential

{ Poor lighting

{ Fall hazards

{ Chemical hazards

• Agreed to notify the employer in the event 

that the rescue team becomes unavailable. 

Employers must also:

• Inform the emergency responders of potential 

hazards when they are called to perform a 

rescue at the worksite; and

Emergency service workers perform a 

practice rescue inside a manhole.

Photo: Oregon OSHA
• Provide emergency responders with access 

to all permit-required confined spaces. Such 

access may include:

{ Information on access routes, gates or 

landmarks

{ A project site plan if necessary

{ GPS coordinates if in a remote location

Additionally, employers should ensure that:

• The most efficient means to contact 

emergency responders is available;

• Any changes to the project site conditions are 

communicated to the rescue service; and

• Emergency responders are willing to visit the 

site and conduct a joint training exercise with 

the employer. 

For Emergency Service Providers

Permit-required confined space emergencies 

can threaten workers’ safety and health. Talking 

with the employer about the hazards they 

might encounter will assist in preparing for the 

situation. The following are some questions 

responders should be able to answer when an 

employer requests their services: 

• Are you able to respond and conduct a rescue in 

a timely manner based on the site conditions?

• Do you have the appropriate equipment for 

response and rescue, such as: atmospheric 

monitors, fall protection, extraction equipment, 

and self-contained breathing apparatus 

(SCBA) for the particular permit-required 

confined spaces?

• Are you prepared for the hazards the 

employer has identified?

{ Atmospheric hazards (e.g., flammable 

vapors, low oxygen)

{ Electrocution (e.g., unprotected, 

energized wires)

{ Flooding or engulfment potential

{ Poor lighting

{ Fall hazards

{ Chemical hazards

• Are you trained for the hazards identified by 

the employer?

{ Hazard Communication training (HAZCOM)

{ Respiratory Protection training

{ Hazardous Material training

{ HAZWOPER training

{ Hazard recognition 

{ Can you cope with other hazards the 

company may have identified on the site? 

{ Do you need to develop a new procedure 

for these hazards/conditions?

• Has the employer provided you with the exact

location of the work site?

{ Information on access routes, gates or 

landmarks

{ A project site plan if necessary

{ GPS coordinates if in a remote location

• Can you visit the site and hold a practice rescue?

• Does the company know the best way to 

contact you?

• How would the company communicate 

any changes to site conditions throughout 

the project?

• Could other emergencies or group training 

preclude you from responding and how will 

that be communicated?

OSHA encourages all emergency service 

providers to work closely with employers who 

request their services for permit-required 

confined space rescues. Pre-rescue planning, 

communication, and effective coordination of 

rescue activities are critical in the event that a 

life-threatening incident should occur.

Private sector commercial emergency service 

providers are covered by Federal OSHA and 

must comply with the provisions of §1926.1211. 

Similarly, state and local government emergency 

service providers in a state with an OSHA 

approved state plan must comply with these 

requirements. See www.osha.gov/dcsp/osp for 

information on state-plan requirements. 

For more information on confined spaces 

in construction, visit OSHA’s website at: 

www.osha.gov/confinedspaces.
Workers’ Rights

Workers have the right to:

• Working conditions that do not pose a risk 

of serious harm.

• Receive information and training (in a 

language and vocabulary the worker 

understands) about workplace hazards, 

methods to prevent them, and the OSHA 

standards that apply to their workplace.

• Review records of work-related injuries 

and illnesses.

• File a complaint asking OSHA to inspect 

their workplace if they believe there is a 

serious hazard or that their employer is not 

following OSHA’s rules. OSHA will keep all 

identities confidential.

• Exercise their rights under the law without 

retaliation, including reporting an injury or 

raising health and safety concerns with their 

employer or OSHA. If a worker has been 

retaliated against for using their rights, they 

must file a complaint with OSHA as soon as 

possible, but no later than 30 days.

For more information, see OSHA’s Workers page.

How to Contact OSHA

For questions or to get information or advice, 

to report an emergency, fatality, inpatient 

hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye, or to 

file a confidential complaint, contact your nearest 

OSHA office, visit www.osha.gov or call OSHA at 

1-800-321-OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-889-5627.

This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or standards. 

It does not impose any new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of compliance 

requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. 

This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. The voice phone 

is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.

DOC FS-3849 04/2016