Attendant Responsibilities

An attendant is a worker who is trained in the hazards of confined spaces and whose primary responsibility is to monitor and assist the workers in the confined space.

The attendant provides the following assistance:

• Maintains communication with the workers by means of an adequate communication system
• Calls for emergency rescue
• Provides confined space workers with fresh air packs and other personal protective equipment (PPE)

The attendant cannot enter the confined space.

The attendant must be located outside and near the entrance of the confined space. A hazard assessment helps to determine the best location for the attendant, as well as his or her specific responsibilities. We will discuss hazard assessments in more detail later in this training.

An attendant can perform other work while being an attendant only if that work does not interfere with his or her attendant duties.

The attendant must be able to send and receive information to and from the workers inside the confined space. Communications can take many forms, as follows:

• Verbal
• Hand signals
• Radios

A supervisor determines the method of communication based on the types of hazards identified in an assessment and the physical aspects of the confined space. This method of communication is then documented in a written plan.

To learn more about Confined Space Competent Person/Supervisor visit our Confined Space Competent Person/Supervisor Online Training web page.