So, you’ve just been given the task to manage your crew on site. A lot of trust has been handed to you, so you want to do the task well and give it your maximum effort.

Not only are you managing the site, but you’ve also been given the challenge of managing the confined space rescue for this site. Confined space rescue is a huge challenge so keep reading for some tips and advice on how to handle it efficiently, productively, and most importantly, safely.

Choosing From A Range Of Management Techniques

Out of the limitless management techniques out there, they often differ depending on the sector you are in. More specifically, managing construction sites can be very difficult and pose a lot of stress as there is a lot to do and remember.

To keep track of the core requirements for an efficient construction site, you must exceed your management skills in order to maximise your competency. This way, the job will not only be easier for you, but things will run smoothly for the whole team and this is what is required for efficient completion of the job. 

Experts recommend that effectively managing your work crew is one of the most important ways to gain valuable site experience. By setting clear expectations, engaging with the team, collaborating, training the team and helping reduce stress within the site are some of the many ways to effectively manage employees on any construction site. With that being said, your role does not stop here. Creating a confined space rescue plan should be at the top of your priorities.

Dealing With A Tight Environment

The challenge of confined space rescue lies within the environment itself. This type of rescue is extremely challenging due to the very nature of the process – the rescue will be tight, and a lot will be riding on how well the rescue is conducted. If you have been trusted to create a rescue plan, you already have great management skills. So, it is essential that you take everything you have learned so far into consideration for the mission to be completed safely and quickly if in a time crunch.

It may seem obvious but beginning with initial ideas is what brings each confined space rescue plan together. This rescue plan advice from Pelsue is a great starting point for consideration. Here are a couple of tips for successfully managing confined space rescue. 

Making Sure You Have A Rescue Team On Hand 

One important thing to remember with confined space rescue is that you cannot rely on emergency services for aid as time truly does matter. Preparing a rescue team should be the first port of call. Competent and confident individuals must make up the rescue team.

They should be willing, able and ready to act fast if required. You know your crew better than anyone, so make sure you carefully choose the right people for the job. Brief the whole construction team at the beginning of every shift no matter the time, so they are fully aware of who the rescue team are. Also make them aware of the potential hazards on site so each person can realistically manage the expectations set safely and efficiently.

Run drills of the rescue mission more often than not and let the team ask questions; you must answer them honestly and provide as much detail as possible. As you can tell, this sort of mission requires a lot of management skills, but you shouldn’t let the challenge stop you from succeeding. 

Check the PPE

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential for anybody who might face potential danger. Take time to consider the hazards on-site and make use of all safety equipment provided.

There should be enough for each individual and you should make sure each member of the crew is fully equipped with everything they need prior to starting the job. As much as PPE is required even when you’re not creating a confined space rescue plan, PPE might be the holy grail that prevents the rescue mission needing to be carried out. You want to be able to trust and rely on your site equipment, so make a deal of getting everything checked regularly by an external company or competent person.

Also make your crew members aware that they must conduct a full PPE check before they begin each shift, no matter the greatness of hazard perception. 

Conclusion

A successful confined space rescue plan requires excellent management techniques which are a real challenge. Put the safety of the team first always by staying on top of the quality of the PPE as well as creating a great confident rescue team. This plan will not only keep you and your team safe, but it will also show that you are fully confident and capable of managing your team on site.