IERESP
EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION
INDUSTRIAL RESPONSE SPECIALIST
I.E.RE.SP. , was created by a group of experts in emergency management who have gained valuable experience in industrial contexts around the world. They are active in promoting safety culture and the training and development of specialists in industrial rescue operations.
MISSION
Currently, there is no specific European regulation governing the role of the competent person in industrial rescue management.
These individuals are technicians who, based on their technical and sanitary expertise and demonstrated field experience, are responsible for coordinating, planning, and carrying out operations in multifactorial emergency situations. They are particularly responsible for ensuring the safety of job activities and rescuing injured persons in all industrial contexts.
They can perform these operations in all industrial contexts, including areas with the presence of dangerous substances (explosive and non-breathable atmospheres), work at height, and places that can be defined as confined spaces (with reference to NFPA 350, 29 CFR OSHA 1910.146 and 1926:1200, the HSE Confined Spaces Safety Act, and in Italy, the Presidential Decree 177/2011 for suspected pollution confined spaces).
The primary purpose of IERE.SP. is to provide a concrete and specific definition of these skills, enabling the establishment of objective criteria to recognize the abilities acquired and the specific qualities required of professionals working in this sector.
IERE.SP. Therefore, intends to recognise and define the qualifications that characterise two different professional figures:
Industrial Rescue Operator (competent person in rescue operations):
Level 1: Operator
Level 2: Supervisor/Specialist
Level 3: Trainer/Assessor
Industrial Rescue Expert (competent person in emergency management):
Level 1: Safety/Emergency Coordinator
Level 2: HSE Manager, Engineer/Specialist
On that basis, IERE.SP wants to propose a formal certification system that will attest the acquisition of specific skills according to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) upon completion of experience assessment and a proper training course.
In this context, four different areas of competence in industrial rescue operations and management have been identified:
Emergency Management
– Casualty management
– Rope access techniques
– ATEX/unbreathable atmospheresResearch & Development
I.E.R.E.S.P. The department carries out continuous analysis of the most recent works at height, respiratory protection and medical devices in order to update procedures and techniques.
Training programmes will be scheduled at accredited training centres, where formal assessments will be carried out to obtain the various required qualifications.
OCCUPATION
Role identification
OPERATIVE STANDARDS
Minimum quality standards
SEARCH & DEVELOPEMENT
Development of new products useful for the profession
TRAINING
Training standards common to all members
QUALIFICATION
THE I.E.RE.SP. SCHEME
I.E.R.E.S.P. recognizes the roles of Industrial Rescue Operator and Industrial Rescue Expert according to rigorous quality standards and following thorough on-the-job testing.
I.E.R.E.S.P. recognizes skills already acquired and plans training courses and methods of recognition to this end.
As previously mentioned, I.E.R.E.S.P. operators and experts in industrial rescue are workers who, based on their specific skills and proven experience, are responsible for coordinating, planning and executing operations arising from multifactorial emergencies in industrial contexts.
These figures can work in the field of technical/health emergency management, particularly in the area of assisting and rescuing injured or ill people.
Confined spaces (in accordance with NFPA 350, 29 CFR OSHA 1910.146 and 1926:1200 standards).
In inaccessible places, or generally in places that are difficult to access or evacuate.
Works at height
Unbreathable atmosphere
In particular, he can work in any area of industrial activity where something dangerous might happen.
Industrial and naval context (on-shore and off-shore)
Oil&gas, petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals
Power plants
Paper mill
Glass factory
Foundries
In general impervious places in the field of industrial contexts
Moreover, the activities include environments with a risk of under-oxygenation, the presence of hazardous airborne chemical agents and/or explosive mixtures, physical hazards, biological hazards, and difficult access/exit.
I.E.RE.SP. recognises the skills of Industrial Rescue Operators and Industrial Rescue Experts, according to high-quality standards, and plans specific training programmes.
For I.E.RE.SP. Industrial Rescue Operators and Industrial Rescue Experts include all workers with specific skills and proven experience in the field. They are responsible for coordinating, planning and executing operations arising from multifactorial emergencies in industrial contexts.
These figures can work in technical/health emergency management, particularly in the rescue and assistance of injured or ill persons in industrial, naval (onshore and offshore) contexts, inaccessible places, and generally difficult-to-reach places, including those subject to major accident hazards, works at height, and places defined as confined spaces, in accordance with NFPA 350, 29 CFR OSHA 1910.146, and 1926:1200 standards.
In addition, they are skilled in working in hazardous atmospheres involving under-oxygenation, the presence of hazardous airborne chemical agents and/or explosive mixtures, physical agents, biological agents, and access/exit difficulties.
Industrial Rescue Operators and Industrial Rescue Experts have adequate knowledge of the jurisprudential, regulatory and technical aspects of health and safety in the workplace, as well as the relational, leadership and coordination skills required for prevention activities and risk protection. According to their specific skills, the Industrial Rescue Operator and the Industrial Rescue Expert can carry out training, consulting, study and research activities in the field of industrial rescue.
25
LEVEL 1
Training for junior rescuer
50
LEVEL 2
Training for senior rescuer
75
LEVEL 3
Training for team leader/trainer
100
LEVEL 4
Training for industrial rescue designer
THE TECHNICAL-SCIENTIFIC COMMITEE
The I.E.R.E.S.P. Technical-Scientific Committee comprises experts from the worlds of work, scientific research and technology, who specialize in industrial rescue and health and safety in the workplace. This advisory body provides qualified technical/scientific opinions and judgements on legal interpretation, the development of relief activities, the revision and improvement of intervention techniques and procedures, and the study of materials and equipment.
IERESP on Maintworld Journal
The President of IERESP, Ing. Adriano Paolo Bacchetta, has written an article for Maintworld magazine. In it, he describes the role and functions of industrial rescuers in maintenance activities, as well as the work of the association.
Maintworld is the first and only pan-European publication from the European Federation of National Maintenance Societies (EFNMS) (VZW), based in Brussels, and is approved by all 22 of its member companies.
This is another step forward for IERESP in consolidating international relations and was also discussed at the Second National Conference on Industrial Rescue, which is to be held in Bologna on 2 December.
CONTACTS
IERESP
Corso Cavour n.9, 06034 Foligno PG