If a contractor enters a host company’s permit-space, who has to provide the rescue equipment and the emergency medical rescue personnel?

Either the host employer or the contractor may supply the equipment. This must be worked out before anyone enters the space, of course. Paragraph 1910.146(c)(8) covers duties of the host employer when arranging for contractors to enter a permit space. These responsibilities include, “coordinate entry operations with the contractor, when both host employer personnel and contractor personnel will be working in or near permit spaces, as required by paragraph (d)(11) of this section.”

Paragraph (d)(11) states, “Develop and implement procedures to coordinate entry operations when employees of more than one employer are working simultaneously as authorized entrants in a permit space, so that employees of one employer do not endanger the employees of any other employer.”

As long as both parties understand their responsibilities, either company’s equipment can be used.