Many organizations have to grapple with the risks associated with working in confined spaces. To ensure worker safety, companies have to analyze these risks and establish appropriate preventive measures and rescue plans. But what about emergency response? Managers must find an efficient, cost-effective solution without compromising safety. Is it better to train an in-house team or have access to an outside company to monitor your confined space jobs? There are a number of factors at play here, including the frequency and scope of emergency operations and their impact on the chain of production.

 

Let’s start by reviewing your options.

 

Option A :  Have an in-house team

You train an in-house team to use rescue equipment and they are onsite to monitor workers doing jobs in confined spaces.

Option B : Outsource the job

You outsource monitoring and rescue services so your employees are free to focus on specialized work. The emergency response team is already fully trained and has the necessary knowledge and equipment.

Option C : Combine options A and B

You have an in-house team but bring in outside resources to help out on challenging jobs.

Option D : We don’t need monitoring!

Yes, you do! Why? Because your workers’ lives are at stake. Please read the occupational health and safety regulations on work in confined spaces.

Now let’s consider options A and B in terms of cost versus time.

The startup costs to put together an in-house confined space monitoring team are high. You have to buy the equipment and train your team and then maintain that level of readiness.

Conversely, there are no startup costs associated with outsourcing confined space monitoring, but the costs add up faster the more hours worked.

What’s the best option for your organization?

As you can see, the more confined space jobs you do, the more it makes sense to train your own employees. On the other hand, if you only need confined space monitoring from time to time, outsourcing is a better option. It gives you flexibility while ensuring the safety of your workers. The outside team could even work in tandem with your in-house team.

But time and money aren’t everything—there are other pros and cons to be weighed before making a decision.

The table below compares the advantages of using an in-house team versus outsourcing confined space monitoring and rescue.

 

Advantages
In-house team	Outsourcing
Permanent team	Low startup costs
Knowledge of confined spaces and premises	Services tailored to your needs
In-house control	Works in tandem with the in-house team
Eligible for the 1% training law	Allows the business to focus on its core expertise

 

The choice of whether to train an in-house monitoring and rescue team or use an outsourcer really depends on your specific needs. No matter what, be sure to use a company that specializes in confined space training and rescue operations.

Still not sure which option is right for you? Give us a call!

Because managers and administrators have a lot to juggle: tracking performance targets, dealing with an increasingly competitive international market, and maintaining a competent workforce, not to mention making sure the business stays profitable. On top of it all, there is the obligation to demonstrate due diligence (Bill C-45), which requires employers to take all necessary precautions to prevent workplace accidents and injuries. If administrators can’t demonstrate due diligence, they may be held personally liable.

Organizational fire safety is no exception. According to the table of skills for chartered administrators, administrators must:

1. Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and standards
2. Manage crises
3. Assess risks

Unfortunately, few administrators are able to meet the requirements of sections 34 and 35 of the Regulation respecting occupational health and safety, which stipulates that they draw up an emergency evacuation plan and hold rescue and evacuation drills at least once a year. Fire safety compliance is an obligation that pays off in a number of ways.

Being compliant can:

• Increase employee productivity and sense of belonging
• Potentially lower your insurance premium
• Ensure your long-term viability
• Prevent legal action
• Protect your organization’s reputation

How do you get compliant?

Obviously it’s your job as a manager to make sure your organization is compliant, but where do you start? Start by downloading our guide: Sécurité incendie, comment se conformer en 5 étapes (Fire Safety Compliance in 5 Easy Steps). This handy resource walks you through the process of developing an effective fire protection plan to protect your operations. The last thing administrators should do is underestimate the impact a fire would have. Better safe than…shut down!

Want to leave your organization’s fire compliance to the pros? Learn more about our compliance certificates or contact our team of experts.