Tag Archives: tripod rescue winch

Confined Space Kits – A Primer

Confined Space Kits – What Are They?

Generally, confined space kits consist of a complete tripod rescue system, a gas monitor or gas detector, a ventilation blower, and a fall protection harness. In your average confined space entry application, all of these items are needed or should be readily available.

CSK-F-Q-A Confined Space Kit from Major Safety

In this confined space kit, for example, all of the above are included: (1) confined space gas detector; (2) ventilation blower with the attached 15′ of duct; (3) fall protection rescue harness; (4) rescue tripod, rescue winch, self retracting lifeline, pulley and carabiners.

Each one of these pieces of equipment is needed to safely enter, work in, and exit a confined space.

The gas detector is necessary to check the space before entry and then to continuously monitor the space upon entry.

The ventilation blower is needed to recirculate the air for a healthier work environment. Importantly, it is also needed to refresh the air if the gas detector determines the presence of toxic conditions.

The rescue tripod, winch, retractable lifeline, and harness allow for safe entry, fall protection, and rescue (if needed).

Differences Between Confined Space Kits

The main differences between the various confined space kits are found in the variety of components that are available.

The gas detector, for example, might be a diffusion type, or have an internal pump that connects to sample tubing. The detectors might also differ in power source – some using alkaline batteries and some using rechargeable batteries.

The ventilation blowers are usually 8″ blowers with either 15′ or 25′ of duct. The most common power source offered is electric. However, gas and pneumatic powered blowers are often available. It’s important to make sure that a duct carrier is included – like the blower system pictured above.

Differences in the rescue tripods are generally found in the type/number of winches offered. The most common configuration is a basic rescue winch with a self retracting lifeline mounted to the top of the tripod (as pictured above). Some kits may offer a 3-way winch in place of the basic winch. Some kits may offer a 3-way winch, a basic winch, and a self retracting lifeline.

Which Confined Space Kit Is Right For Me?

It’s important to remember that the differences between the kits are not in their safety approvals. Any decent kit will meet the OSHA stipulated ANSI standards. Generally, deciding which kit is best for you comes down to personal preference and budget.

A 3-way winch, for example, is more convenient than a normal winch, but is quite a bit more money. A gas detector with an internal sample pump is more convenient for remote sampling, but it is also more money. A diffusion detector can also test remotely. All one needs to do is tie a rope to it and lower it down into the space. Blowers with 25′ duct seem more appealing, but rarely is 25′ of duct needed.

If you have any questions, or need help deciding, don’t hesitate to ask us. We are glad to help. Note – you can find a variety of confined space kits at majorsafety.com. Click Here to view the various kits available.

Self Retracting Lifeline and Winch Inspection

Inspection – Rescue Winch and Self Retracting Lifeline

The inspection is to be done by the company who purchased the winch or lifeline. There are two kinds of inspections.

The first is the inspection required before each use of the winch or lifeline. This inspection is done by the end user – the person or persons actually using the device.

The second is an inspection required anywhere from monthly to annually, depending on the manufacturer. This inspection is to be done by the company’s designated competent person – not the end user. What is a competent person? See Here – OSHA competent person.

Typically these inspections involve a check of the braking mechanism, the cable, the device housing, labels, load indicator, and hardware like the snap hook. The device’s instruction manual will give details on what to inspect and how to inspect it.

If the inspection of the rescue winch or self retracting lifeline reveals any problems (details for these would be in the manual) the device is to be taken out of service. Recertification will be required before the device can be put back into service.

Recertification – Rescue Winch and Self Retracting Lifeline

If the end user inspection or the competent person inspection find any “part of the system that appears to be damaged”, or find inconsistencies as outlined in the rescue winch or self retracting lifeline instruction manual, the device must be sent back to the factory for recertification.

If the device is involved in a braking or rescue incident, it will also need to be sent back to the factory for recertification (see device’s instruction manual for details).

The recertification process is facilitated by a distributor and performed by the factory. The distributor will obtain an RMA from the factory and provide that information to the customer. The price of the recertification depends entirely on the manufacturer, the item and the problem.

Below are some helpful examples of the above requirements from Miller and DBI Sala:

All the pics are linked to products at Major Safety. There you can get additional info, purchase, or contact us with more questions. We are happy to help.

by Corby Amos

Confined Space Rescue Tripod – Which One?

KNOW YOUR CONFINED SPACE ENTRY TRIPOD REQUIREMENTS

A tripod rescue system is intended to help comply with OSHA confined space (1910.146) and fall protection (1910.132) standards (States may have their own standards as well).

Specifically, a properly equipped tripod system will help you meet requirements for – (1) lowering/raising; (2) fall protection; (3) rescue/retrieval. Think of each one as a single leg on a “requirements stool”. If the stool is missing one leg, it falls over – it doesn’t meet the requirements.

KNOW YOUR CONFINED SPACE RESCUE TRIPOD COMPONENTS

There are a number of tripod components available to safely comply with these requirements – to build the “requirements stool”. It is here that the differences between systems should begin to make sense to you.

A confined space tripod system can consist of a mixture of the following components – (1) the rescue/retrieval winch; (2) the combination rescue winch/self retracting lifeline; (3) a self retracting lifeline.

When looking at the components keep in mind this simple axiom – no one component can be all three legs on the stool.

Rescue/Retrieval Winch

The basic rescue/retrieval winch is manually operated by hand. It comes in varying lengths and cable materials. The norm is usually a galvanized cable ranging from 50′ to 65′.

Of the 3 requirements cited above (the “requirements stool”) – lowering/raising, fall protection, rescue/retrieval – which ones will the basic winch fulfill? It serves as the raising/lowering and rescue/retrieval. This means that the fall protection requirement is missing. It can be met by the use of a ladder, self retracting lifeline or a combination winch/lifeline.

Combination Rescue Winch/Self Retracting Lifeline

The combination unit combines both the rescue capacity of the basic winch and the convenience of a self retracting lifeline in one unit. With the handle engaged, one cranks the worker up or down if needed. With the handle disengaged, no cranking is required – the cable extends and retracts automatically with the worker. It comes in varying lengths and cable materials. The norm is usually a galvanized cable of 50′.

Of the 3 requirements cited above (the “requirements stool”) – lowering/raising, fall protection, rescue/retrieval – which ones will the combination winch/lifeline fulfill? It serves as fall protection and rescue/retrieval when used with a ladder. It serves as fall protection when used with a basic winch. It serves as rescue/retrieval when used with a stand alone self retracting lifeline and a ladder.

What about the raising/lowering requirement? It depends – some manufacturers do not approve their combination units for routine raising/lowering. So you would still need a ladder or basic winch to fulfill the raising/lower requirement.

So what is the benefit of this component? It provides rescue redundancy when used with a basic winch, and is a convenience when a ladder is present. Because the cable can extend and retract automatically with the worker, the attendant does not have to crank the worker up or down the ladder like he would with the basic winch.

Are there any drawbacks? (1) They are expensive and are the reason some tripod systems are so much more expensive than others. (2) And in an emergency situation the user has to remember how to engage the handle for rescue. This could be a problem for some workers.

Self Retracting Lifeline

The self retracting lifeline extends and retracts automatically with the worker. It is hung from the top of the tripod by means of a carabiner attached to an eyebolt. It comes in varying lengths and cable materials. The norm is usually a galvanized cable of 30′ – 50′.

Of the 3 requirements cited above (the “requirements stool”) – lowering/raising, fall protection, rescue/retrieval – which ones will the combination winch fulfill? The self retracting lifeline is always fall protection.

Our Most Popular Systems

Tripods with Basic Winch:

Miller Rescue Tripod System
FrenchCreek Tripod System (also comes with SRL)

Tripods with Combination Winch/Lifeline:

Self Retracting Lifelines:

Protecta Rebel