For industrial facilities grappling with compliance gaps, limited rescue resources, or the need for specialized training, the solution might be closer than you think. Similarly, for municipal fire departments considering partnerships with industrial sites, the opportunities for growth and enhanced community safety are profound. Relationships like these already exist, and they work.

Take the Pittsboro (IN) Fire Department (PFD) and Steel Dynamics Incorporated (SDI) as an example. Over a decade ago, SDI approached PFD with a straightforward request: to serve as their confined space rescue service. What followed was the start of a collaboration that not only made SDI’s facility safer but also equipped PFD with skills and resources that continue to benefit the entire Pittsboro community.

"For industrial facilities grappling with compliance gaps, limited rescue resources, or the need for specialized training, the solution might be closer than you think."

When an industrial facility partners with a fire department, the advantages go both ways. For the facility, there’s access to professional rescuers who bring a level of expertise and readiness that is hard to match. Training exercises, site tours, and joint planning sessions ensure the team is prepared for emergencies specific to the plant. For example, at SDI, PFD responders have access to the site for training events, giving them valuable familiarity with its unique hazards. This preparation paid off during a recent incident, where PFD’s air monitoring equipment—purchased with SDI’s support—was critical in managing the situation.

On the fire department side, the benefits go beyond the walls of the industrial facility. Financial support from SDI allowed PFD to expand its technical rescue capabilities, benefiting the entire community. Training in confined space and high-angle rescue doesn’t just help on-site; these skills are invaluable when responding to emergencies across the coverage area, whether it’s a vehicle accident or a complex urban rescue.

"Financial support from SDI allowed PFD to expand its technical rescue capabilities, benefiting the entire community."

These crossover skills, developed through industrial partnerships, can transform a department’s overall rescue capability. As PFD Assistant Chief noted, “The relationship with SDI has made us a better resource for the town of Pittsboro and made SDI a safer place to work.” Collaboration strengthens community safety while addressing the specific needs of the facility.

For industrial leaders, the key is to take the first step. Reach out to your local fire departments and start the conversation. Many departments are enthusiastic about these opportunities, recognizing the chance to enhance their training and equipment resources. By identifying your facility’s specific risks—such as confined spaces, high-angle work, or hazardous materials—you can help responders be better prepared for emergencies that may occur.

Similarly, for fire departments, it’s worth taking the meeting. While there may be initial skepticism about partnering with private industry, these relationships often lead to invaluable investments in training and equipment. And these investments don’t stop at the plant gate; they benefit every call the department runs, from structure fires to search-and-rescue operations.

Ultimately, these partnerships break down silos between municipal response teams and industrial sites. They encourage communication, proactive planning, and mutual respect. When incidents happen—and they will—these relationships ensure that responders are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and resources to manage them effectively.

In the end, everyone wins: the industrial facility, the fire department, and, most importantly, the community. If you’re an industrial leader or a fire chief wondering if this kind of collaboration is worth it, the answer is clear. Take the first step. Reach out, take the meeting, and see what’s possible. The safety of your workplace, your responders, and your community could depend on it.

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Roco’s Confined Space Types Chart & Compliance Guide

Rescue Plans...What is Required?

Fall Protection Planning - Lives are on the Line

Scaffolding is used everywhere. And now it’s at the Roco Training Center in Baton Rouge in the form of a new scaffolding rescue prop.

You walk onto almost any industrial site in the U.S. and you’ll see scaffolding throughout the site. It is an essential tool for maintenance, construction, and inspections. The prevalence of scaffolding in industry begs the question, “What happens when something goes wrong?” Is a scaffold rescue the same as one from a permanent working deck? That is the focus of Roco Rescue’s new two-day "Rescue from Scaffolding" course. Held at the renowned Roco Training Center (RTC) in Baton Rouge, LA, this course is designed to tackle the unique challenges of scaffold rescue.

Scaffolds introduce a set of specific hurdles during rescue operations. Their structural stability can be unpredictable; scaffolds flex and shift under load, and improper anchoring can create unbalanced forces that threaten the entire setup. Anchor points aren’t always straightforward. Components like double ledgers, single ledgers, rosettes, and crossbars have varying load-bearing capacities, and knowing how to use them correctly is essential to a safe operation. Without proper training, even a well-intentioned rescue effort can produce unforeseen problems.

Train on a Purpose-Built Scaffold Prop

Our brand-new, three-story scaffold prop, permanently installed at the Roco Training Center, is a state-of-the-art structure built to replicate real-world scaffold rescue scenarios in a controlled and safe environment.

Scaffold classes at the RTC will focus on:

• Evaluating scaffold stability when performing rescues.
• Identifying and utilizing proper anchor points.
• Packaging and lowering patients to the ground safely and efficiently, using systems tailored to the scaffolding environment.

Whether you’re new to rescue or a seasoned professional, this course has you covered. Beginners will leave with a toolkit of skills and confidence. Experienced rescuers can refine their techniques and better prepare for the challenges scaffolding can bring.

Already Part of the Roco Family? Let’s Customize Your Training

For teams already working with Roco, the Roco Training Centers’ new scaffold prop offers an exciting way to expand your training. From team evaluations, specialized practice sessions, or integrating scaffold-specific scenarios into your program, this isn’t just a class—it’s a resource for ensuring your team is always ready.

Sign Up Today

Don’t wait until an emergency strikes to find out if you’re prepared. Check out Roco Rescue’s "Rescue from Scaffolding" course today and equip yourself with the expertise to handle even the most challenging situations. Visit our website or give us a call to learn more and reserve your spot.

Read the Full Course Description Here

Whether you're home with loved ones, overseas defending our nation, protecting our communities, or keeping the lights on, we wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year. Thank you for all that you do!

Roco's Home Office will be closed December 23rd, until January 2nd.

If you need immediate assistance, feel free to call (800) 647-7626.

Be safe out there.

When it comes to rescue operations, readiness isn’t just important – it’s everything! Many years ago, when Roco began offering standby rescue services, we used these terms for describing the required rescue response mode – whether it was “Rescue Standby” or “Rescue Available.” This distinction isn’t just a matter of preference; it’s about matching the right response strategy to the potential severity of the hazard and consequences of exposure, especially in immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) environments. Let’s explore why “Rescue Standby” is essential for high-risk scenarios and even mandatory for IDLH conditions.

First of all, let’s define the two terms.

Rescue Available – The rescue team is trained, equipped, available and willing to respond in a timely manner. Team members are monitoring the entry and can mobilize quickly to the entry site. This level of readiness is sufficient for low-risk, non-IDLH environments where the identified hazards are less severe. While “Rescue Available” may meet compliance goals in some situations, it’s unsuitable for high-risk operations where delays can have severe consequences.

Rescue Standby – The rescue team is to be positioned at or near the entry site with all equipment pre-rigged and personnel ready for immediate action. It is required by OSHA 1910.134 Respiratory Protection standard to have standby personnel ready and equipped to enter if personnel are entering an IDLH atmosphere to perform confined space work. With IDLH environments, the level of preparedness shifts from being simply available to being fully staged and ready to perform without delay.

"This readiness level isn’t optional—it’s required by OSHA 1910.134 Respiratory when workers are in IDLH conditions." 

OSHA’s standard for Permit-Required Confined Spaces (29 CFR 1910.146) emphasizes the importance of a “timely response” for confined space emergencies. For example, OSHA 1910.146(k)(1) and (i) require an employer who designates rescue and emergency services to: Evaluate a prospective rescuer's ability to respond to a rescue summons in a timely manner, considering the hazard(s) identified;

“Timely” Note to paragraph (k)(1)(i):

What will be considered timely will vary according to the specific hazards involved in each entry. OSHA’s Non-Mandatory Appendix F contains examples of criteria which employers can use in evaluating prospective rescuers as required by paragraph (k)(1). Don’t let the use of “Non-Mandatory” confuse you. Employers must still fully comply with the requirements of the standard. Non-Mandatory Appendix F simply offers methods or examples for meeting the regulation.

Here is an example from Appendix F, Section A. Initial Evaluation:

1. What are the needs of the employer with regard to response time (time for the rescue service to receive notification, arrive at the scene, and set up and be ready for entry)? For example, if entry is to be made into an IDLH atmosphere, or into a space that can quickly develop into an IDLH atmosphere (if ventilation fails or for other reasons), the rescue team or service would need to be standing by at the permit space. On the other hand, if the danger to entrants is restricted to mechanical hazards that would cause injuries (e.g., broken bones, abrasions) a response time of 10 or 15 minutes might be adequate.

Keep in mind, in toxic and low oxygen atmospheres, as little as 60 seconds can change the patient's outcome dramatically. That critical minute could be the difference between a successful rescue and a body recovery.

"If entry is to be made into an IDLH atmosphere, the rescue team would need to be standing by at the permit space.”

Compliance and Application

Understanding these distinctions extends beyond the regulatory language. This means more than just having the right equipment; it requires the team to be mentally and physically prepared to respond without hesitation. For example, when respiratory hazards are present, standby teams are equipped with breathing equipment, typically a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), or supplied air respirator (SAR), and positioned to intervene without delay.

Rescue systems are to be pre-rigged, and personnel are briefed on the hazards and rescue plans specific to the site. Rescue Standby aligns with Appendix F guidelines and ensures the fastest possible response when every second counts.

Choosing the Right Readiness Level 

While “Rescue Available” may suffice in low-risk, non-IDLH environments, confusing these two very different levels of response readiness can be fatal. For IDLH spaces, “Rescue Standby” is not just the safest option—it is the standard. Employers must assess their operations and ensure their rescue teams are meeting the proper level of preparation to comply with OSHA's timeliness requirements.

"Rescue Standby aligns with Appendix F guidelines and ensures the fastest possible response when every second counts.”

Critical Takeaways

The difference between “Rescue Available” and “Rescue Standby” is not just technical jargon – it’s potentially a life-or-death decision. In IDLH conditions, even a brief delay can be catastrophic. OSHA’s 1910.146 Appendix F outlines the critical importance of response times, emphasizing that being fully staged and ready isn’t optional – it’s mandatory. Ensuring your rescue team operates at the “Rescue Standby” level in high-risk environments is essential for compliance, but more importantly, it’s a critical strategy for the entry team’s safety. Be sure that your team is set up for success, especially when lives are on the line.

Key Points

• Rescue Levels: The level of preparedness chosen is based on the hazards present. "Rescue Standby" requires teams fully staged and ready; "Rescue Available" is suited for low-risk, non-IDLH spaces.

• Timely Response: IDLH conditions demand that a team be ready for 'immediate action" according to OSHA CFR 1910.134.

• Compliance: OSHA's CFR 1910.146 Appendix F helps us define terms and gives us specific ways to evaluate rescue teams.

REFERENCES:

Roco’s Confined Space Types Chart & Compliance Guide

Blog: Thursday, June 30, 2022 - Rescue Standby: Why It Makes Good Sense

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 - Permit-Required Confined Spaces 

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 - Respiratory Protection

Jacob Melancon, ASP is an Associate Safety Professional through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals and currently works as a Safety Professional and Rescue Crew Chief at Roco Rescue. He has served thousands of hours as Rescue Crew Chief for Roco’s CSRT Rescue Standby Services at industrial facilities across the nation. 

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Ventilating a confined space isn't just about flipping on a fan and calling it a day. There’s an art—and a bit of science—to getting it right. If you don’t, you could be putting yourself and your team at risk. Let's break down four common mistakes people make when ventilating confined spaces: short-circuiting, recirculation, inadequate CFM, and bending ductwork like it’s a contortionist’s routine.

1. Short Circuiting

We’re not talking about blowing a fuse here—this short circuit is all about airflow. Picture this: you set up your ventilation to push fresh air into a confined space, but instead of circulating throughout the area, the air takes a shortcut right out of the portal. The result? Only a fraction of the space is getting ventilated, potentially leaving atmospheric contaminants in the space or workers’ breathing zone.

To avoid this, don’t just place your ventilation gear down and hope for the best. position the intake and exhaust strategically—ideally, on opposite ends of the space. Make sure that fresh air travels through the entire space, hitting every nook and cranny, before it exits. If the space in question only has a single portal, ensure that the ductwork is long enough and configured in a way that allows for ventilation in the area that work is taking place. On a side note, longer ductwork can result in decreased overall CFM – check with your manufacturer for details.

Recirculating air might be great for your car’s A/C, but in confined spaces, it can be a fatal mistake. If the air you’re pulling out of the space ends up getting sucked back in, you’re just circulating the same contaminated air over and over again. While the space may feel like it is being ventilated, the contaminates never get diluted out since they are being reintroduced back into the space with each air change.

The fix? Make sure the intake of your ventilation system is positioned in an area that is pulling clean air into the space and ensure the exhaust air is vented far away from the intake. Keep the intake and exhaust well-separated to avoid creating this vicious cycle.

3. Inadequate Ventilation Flow Rates

CFM, or Cubic Feet per Minute, is ventilation’s way of saying “How much air am I actually moving here?” If you don’t have enough CFM, you’re not pushing out the bad air fast enough, and the space could stay hazardous longer than you’d like, or possibly, not control the hazard at all.

Before you set up, do the math. Figure out how much air you need to move based on the size of the space and the level of contaminants you’re dealing with. Too little CFM, and you’re not doing much good. There are multiple methods to calculate the CFM required for your space (I know, math…) however, there are online calculators that can assist with this if math isn’t your strong suit. The typical formula starts with determining the volume of the confined space in cubic feet and the deciding the number of air changes per hour (ACH) required by your organization. 

"While OSHA and ANSI don't recommend a specific number of air changes per hour, a general rule of thumb is around 7 ACH before beginning work. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommends 20 ACH when ventilating confined spaces". 

To calculate the CFM requirements, multiple the confined space volume by the air changes per hour and divide that number by 60.

Example:

CFM =  Volume of space (ft³) X Air Changes Per Hour / 60 minutes

CFM =  2500 ft³ X 20 ACH / 60 min

CFM =  50,000 / 60 min

CFM = 833 ft³/min

After you’ve figured out your minimum CFM requirements, you can determine your minimum purge time prior to entry. You can choose to manually calculate this, use an online calculator, or use a ventilation purge time chart like the one provided here. This chart is calibrated to provide a pre-entry purge time representative of 7 complete air changes.

If you're into doing math, the formula below can be used to calculate your pre-entry purge time.

Example: 

Purge Time = Volume of Space X Pre-Entry Air Changes / CFM

Purge Time =  2500 ft³  X 7 Air Changes / 833 ft³/min

Purge Time =  17,500 / 833 ft³/min

Purge Time = 21 minutes

Ever try to suck a thick milkshake through a crazy straw? That’s what too many bends in your ventilation ducts can do to your airflow. Every bend creates resistance, slowing down the air and reducing the overall effective CFM of your ventilation system.

To avoid this, keep your ducting as straight as possible. If you do need to make a turn, go for gradual curves instead of sharp bends. This keeps the air moving smoothly and ensures that you’re getting the ventilation you need where it’s needed most. As with any piece of equipment, check the manufacturer’s guidelines for specific information. While every manufacturer will have their own guidelines for their products, most manufacturers rate their products as a decrease of around 15% per 90-degree bend with a max of two 90-degree bends. Typically this information will be provided on the device itself as seen in the picture below.

Conclusion

Ventilating a confined space is more than just a box to check—it’s about creating a safe atmosphere to work and breath in, or at least controlling the hazards to a level that’s as low as reasonably practicable. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you’re not just moving air; you’re ensuring that it’s doing its job effectively. So next time you’re setting up ventilation, remember: keep the air flowing where it needs to go, and don’t let short circuits, recirculation, inadequate CFM, or ductwork disasters stand in your way. Proper ventilation is a breath of fresh air – literally…..

ONLINE REFERENCES:

ACGIH: Ventilation

OSHA 1910.146: Permit-Required Confined Spaces

ANSI Z117.1 - 2022: Safety Requirements for Entering Confined Spaces

Chris McGlynn, M.S., CSP is a Certified Safety Professional and Nationally Registered Paramedic who serves as the Director of Safety and VPP Coordinator for Roco Rescue. He currently serves as Director-at-Large on the VPPPA Region VI Board of Directors and Secretary of the American Society of Safety Professionals Region IV Board of Directors. Chris also represents ASSP on the ANSI Z117 Confined Space and Z390 Hydrogen Sulfide Training Standard Development Committees. He is also an active OSHA Special Government Employee within the Voluntary Protection Program and is currently working towards a Ph.D in Occupational Safety & Health through West Virginia University's Statler College of Engineering.