For any kind of rescue, service providers must know the procedures used to rescue people trapped by various hazards, including fire, explosions, cave-ins, toxic gas, smoke inhalation, free-flowing solids and water entering a confined space. In short, it is a highly specialised procedure.
For over 120 years, MRS has delivered confined space rescue services – making us the most experienced, and recognised Rescue Services company in the UK. We are renowned for our expertise in working in challenging environments and delivering a high quality, value-adding service.
Our rescue teams are highly trained, competent health and safety experts, all qualified as either rescue team leaders or rescue operatives as outlined in the National Occupational Standards Mines Regulations 2014, and all having a rescue operative’s “QCF” certificate.
Our teams are trained to offer specialist rescue from heights, as well as from high risk confined spaces.
All operatives are competent to use and service open circuit breathing apparatus (OCBA). They are also trained in first aid, with added trauma training, and are competent to use specialist emergency medical equipment. For example, First Aid at Work as approved by the HSE and awarded through MP Awards (award body), and Advanced First Aid (pain relief, resuscitation, blood clotting, defibrillation, transport).
We use breathing apparatus appropriate to the risk assessment and control measures identified within. This can be either apparatus rated for 20 minutes wearing time, or the BG4 re-breather which is rated at 4 hours wearing time. As well as this, we have escape breathing apparatus from 10-minute duration through the range up to 4 hours.
When providing rescue services for our customers we would typically organise the following:
- Arrange to meet with the client on-site, make an initial assessment of the work area and advise on hazards and risks. We then advise on control measures to minimise those risks to an acceptable level. We also put in place control measures for rescue should it be required.
- Issue a risk assessment including first aid, safe system of work and a rescue plan.
- Assess and inspect the confined space or risk area immediately prior to anyone entering and works commencing, to establish that the risk assessment remains valid and suitable on commencement of the work, and throughout the work period, or when individuals are in the confined space.
- Ensure all personnel entering or working in the confined space or at height are competent and are provided with a safety briefing.
- Ensure all rescue equipment used in the confined space or work at height is fit for purpose.
- Monitor/record and observe all personnel entering and exiting the confined space.
- Monitor the environment in the confined space and advise if any change to the risk assessment is required.
- If the rescue team must perform a rescue, then the rescue plan will be implemented immediately, and a rescue will be instigated.
- The rescue team will provide the liaison with other emergency services regarding casualty handover and further requirements.
Our services
Confined space rescue
Our operatives have the skills, competence and experience to provide medically trained technical rescue teams and associated equipment for confined space rescue.
Working at height rescue
Fully trained and competent providers for at height technical rescue services for industry, ensuring you are safe in our hands.
Rope rescue
Experts in rope access and rope rescue, able to provide specialist teams and equipment to gain access to difficult to reach areas.
Mines rescue
Recognised within the Mines Regulations 2014 as a specialist rescue services provider, and part of the national mines rescue scheme, ensuring we manage and maintain a technical rescue and emergency response service.
Tunnel rescue
Our professional full-time rescue team members are skilled in tunnel rescue and have the capacity and experience to provide specialist rescue services.
Water rescue
We can provide a water rescue team and boat driver, fully trained in Swift Water Rescue and Flood Rescue Technician, for any work work over or near water
The Service provided was excellent, all confined spaces work at site safely undertaken in line with RAMS and SSOW without issue or incident.
Many thanks to you and your team for your assistance with the work in the SRH THQ duct area on Thursday 1st June. Their attendance and safety cover provided was very reassuring on the day and also very there very flexible approach regarding the possibility of finishing later than planned.
I thought the whole work from first visit to completing the work was very professional and I would highly recommend MRS for this kind of work.
Service was excellent and the guys are very knowlegdeable
Well prepared team, very helpful and professional even in the freezing cold conditions experienced.
