Yup, we do the same, Chris, even though our rescue team is ALWAYS an outside
team.  Harness, tie line, and tripod for all entries.  Didn't mention
tripods in my first post since that wasn't part of question (it was about
harnesses.)  We're actually trying out a truck mounted winch (with ability
to be put on a stand for the rare occasion when a truck cannot be located
close enough to the hole) as a possible replacement to a tripod, which the
guys are really excited about.

-mm

PS, For anyone who's considering that route, here's some tips on how we were
able to finally get it implemented here.  Took quite a few years and a lot
of trust-building, but we finally have confined space entries I'm not
terrified to see every time I walk out the door:

There were hints that we would encounter a lot of resistance to having to
"set up all that junk" (the tripod etc), especially with it not being
"required" by regulation.  So I deferred those kinds of questions until the
fire service that acts as our rescue service came out and participated in a
mock rescue of a couple of our guys.  Then I asked the Fire Dudes for THEIR
advice to the concerns I'd been hearing -- "Wouldn't our tripods etc be in
your way if you did a rescue?"  "Wouldn't wearing a tie line and harness
just get someone tangled up, hindering rescue?"

In all cases, the fire service said NO, that the more prepped the rescue
scene was when they arrived, the faster they could get someone out of that
hole.  And they explained exactly why it was better (e.g., "if we need to
disconnect your tie line to get you to the mouth of the hole without getting
hung up on a valve, fine; at least we'd be able to follow that tie line to
find you a lot faster if there's any smoke or debris").

Maybe this wouldn't all be necessary if I weren't a woman, who knows.  But
it's helpful when you've got a bunch of tough guys to have even tougher guys
tell 'em EXACTLY what taking these precautions would do for them in a true
emergency.  Not just "you should" but "why".  That way it's not the Safety
Geek saying "do it this way";  instead, it's the Tough Fire Dude saying "I
can't drag your sorry 200-lb a_ _ across all these pipes unless you have
something more than coveralls for me to grab onto, and if I have to spend 2
minutes or more getting a harness onto you, that's a lotta dead brain cells
for you."  (Please don't label me a sexist here for saying "guys" -- all our
folks in confined space entry and the rescue service ARE men).

Might not work for everybody, but for those in shoes like mine, it's worth a
try (and be sure to vet out the  rescue service first to make sure you know
what their answers are going to be!).

Mary M. Cavanaugh, CIH
phone  828.262.6838
email  cavanaughmm**At_Symbol_Here**appstate.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of
Chris Marlowe
Sent: Saturday, October 07, 2006 3:59 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] [aihaih-list] Confined Space Rescue

Mary:

My employer relies on external (public, or host-employer) rescue teams
whenever we can. We usually find one. We probably provide our own rescuers
about 15% of the time. 

Even when we are not the rescuers, I require a tripod and harness for most
entries where non-entry rescue would work. It's dumb to count on rescuers
when the attendant has only to crank the winch. 

Stay healthy,
 
Chris Marlowe
42 Highlander Dr
Scotch Plains, NJ  07076
908 / 754 - 5160 (home)
732 / 539 - 8128 (cell)
Chrismarlowe**At_Symbol_Here**comcast.net

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