CONFINED SPACE RESCUE ACTION PLAN

 

INTRODUCTION

1. Rescue in Confined Spaces is often high-risk and challenging

2. Most hazardous among all rescue activities

3. Approximately 6 out of 10 killed are untrained

4. Safety of Rescuers is the most essential

Rescue  Means  

A. Rescue means- Removing victims from a hazardous life-threatening situation to areas of safety or treatment.

B. Function - Locating and freeing victims and conveying them to a place of safety. Administering First Aid as necessary.

C. Function - Restoring the accident area to a safe condition 

Why were So Many Rescuers Killed?

• An Overcome by their Emotions. 
• Take unnecessary chances
• Do not know the hazard involved. 
• Do not have a plan of action
• Lack of Confine Space Rescue training Etc.

HAZARD OF CONFINED SPACED

• These may occur singly or a combination of : 
• HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHERE
• FALL RISK
• MECHANICAL HAZARDS FLOODING
• TOXIC MATERIAL Etc.

CONFINED SPACE HAZARDS

Hazardous  Atmosphere 

1. Hydrogen Sulfide 

2. Carbon Monoxide 

3. The explosive atmosphere with Low Oxygen

4. Other Hazardous  Material -liquid  or gas

Rescue From Hazardous Atmospheres

1. Hazardous atmospheres are grouped into three types: 

• Atmospheres contain flammable vapors or gases in amounts that are combustible or explosive.
• Atmospheres containing toxic or corrosive vapors that may poison or injure the rescue worker.
• Atmospheres in which the Oxygen content has been diluted or depleted until the atmosphere has too little Oxygen to support life.  

2. Fall Risk

• Slippery Ladders, floor Rusty,  unstable Walkways Mechanical failure of Safety
• Equipment/ Tools
• Scaffold/ ladder failure Etc. 

3. Mechanical  Hazards

• Moving  belts or other machinery
• Electrical  Hazards
• High-Pressure Pipe/hose  burst
• Sharp edge

4. Flooding or Engulfment Potential

• Storm Sewers
• Hoppers
• Grain Bins, Catalyst
• Mud, Sludge Etc.

5. Toxic  material 

• Mercury   (  Hg ) 
• Plumbum  ( Pb )
• Other Toxic/Hazardous Material (  Liquid, Solid  ) 
• Etc.

The Parts of A Rescue Operation 

• Extricate the victim from physical restraint. 
• Get the victim out of immediate danger. 
• Determine the nature and extent of injuries.
• Stabilize the victim and administer medical assistance.
• Transport the victim to a medical facility. 
• Stabilize the emergency scene.
• Wrap up.  Returning emergency personnel, vehicles, and equipment to service is part of the wrap-up.
• Post-incident critique. 
• This is part of emergency operations that is too frequently overlooked. 

RESCUE METHODS

A. SELF-RESCUE 

B. NON-ENTRY RESCUE 

C. ENTRY - RESCUE

SELF - RESCUE

* Entrants are still able to escape from the space as quickly as possible.

• Conscious and Alert.
• Able to recognize his sign/symptoms. Physically able to evacuate more rapidly. Not endangering anyone else.
• Able to alert fellow workers. 

NON-ENTRY RESCUE

• Normally, assist the hole watch from outside with equipment and other rescue aids are employed to help in removing endangered entrants.
• The entrant is unconscious or unable to move. 
• Entrant Give Signal, Alert, or call for help. 
• Already prepared /emergency planning.

ENTRY - RESCUE

• Needs rescuers to enter the space to retrieve the entrant and provide the victim with emergency assistance.
• Usually, Rescue tools are not available. 
• Unnormal Condition or Size,  Panic, etc. Serious Accident. Etc. 

RESCUE EQUIPMENT FOR CONFINED SPACE

• Full body harness with a retrieval line attached.
• Hand-cranked mechanical Winch & Tripod
• Ladder,  Rope 5/8"    1",  Lighting.
• SCBA,  PPE,  Stretcher.
• Resuscitator,  Inhalator,  First Aid  Equipment Etc.

Stokes Basket

The Stokes basket is a basket stretcher that conforms to the shape of the body. This stretcher provides excellent support for the injured victim and secures the victim in the basket with pre-attached straps. The Stokes is traditionally a metal rod frame with a wire mesh covering,  but some of the newer models are molded plastic.

Rope & Rescue Knots

The rope is one of the most versatile rescue tools.  Ropes or lines for rescue  operations fall into two general categories :

1. Rescue lines  (which include lifelines for sliding or rappelling as well as rescue lines for hoisting or lowering) that support human life.

2. Utility lines that can be used to transfer small tools to different levels or other light duty in which knots must be tied easily. 

Rescue Knots Types

• The Bowline On A Bight
• Square Knots
• The Three-Loop Bowline
• Sheep Shank
• Chimney Hitch,  Clove Hitch,  Bowline.... etc.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Other Safety Equipment

1. Atmospheric Monitor

Able to detect Carbon Monoxide,  Hydrogen  Sulfide .....  Etc., Low Oxygen levels, and Flammable  /Explosive atmospheres.

2. Blower

3. Tripod

a. Able to safely support two people 

b. This means anchoring legs

c. Man-rated fall protection is available

4. Lock-Out/Tag-Out Systems

Factors and considerations in the action sequence

• The amount of danger  to the victim and rescuer
• The alternative methods of rescue available The personnel available for rescue operations The equipment available for rescue operations The amount of time available  {? )
• The knowledge and experience of the rescuers 

Space Characteristics Consideration

INTERNAL CONFIGURATION Open or Obstructed 

1. ELEVATION

• Elevated or Non-Elevated

2. PORTAL SIZE

• Restricted or Unrestricted 

3. SPACE ACCESS 

• Horizontal or Vertical 

RESCUE ACTION  PLAN

1. Preparation & Response 

• Check & maintain equipment 
• Continuous training
• Begin size-up  at the time of the call
• Consider the effects of weather 
• Respond  with sufficient resources 

2. Arrival & Set-up

• Begin physical size-up
• Keep apparatus & exhaust  away from opening
• Give arrival report  & establish command 

3. Size-up  & Hazards  Identification

• Split into teams - Safety & Entry
• Gather facts
• Talk to the attendant/ Witness
• Check  material safety data sheets
• Set Tactic-Strategy for Rescue Action 

4. Scene Stabilization

• Establish a safety zone
• Set up equipment/tool area ( Staging )
• Entry tag for entry teams
• Stabilize all mechanical processes
• Isolate all hazardous materials
• Monitor atmosphere 

5. Casualty Access

• Entry teams prepare to enter, and Medical teams prepare to receive casualty. Standby team as Safety back-up
• Use a tripod-mounted hoist or mechanical advantage system
• Keep all lines and blower  tubes away from the ladder/ manhole 

6. Casualty Assessment & Care

• Approach with care
• If the atmosphere is safe,  begin with a primary assessment
• If the atmosphere is unsafe,  remove the casualty immediately 

7. Casualty Extrication

• Paraguard/ Stokes Basket Stretcher
• Spinal immobilization
• Mechanical advantage systems
• Tripod-mounted hoist operation
• Aerial ladder as an anchoring point

Stabilize Injuries

• A victim should be examined for injuries and stabilized before moving,  if at all possible. A victim with a fractured extremity should have the extremity immobilized before being moved.
• Moving an injured victim without first stabilizing the injuries can lead to further injury or aggravate the condition of the victim. 
• Every effort should be made first to determine the injuries of the victim, stabilize the condition, and then move the victim.  Unfortunately, this ideal cannot always be realized.
• A victim with a fractured arm may be in a toxic atmosphere and then stabilize the fractured arm. 
• A rescuer many times will have to use personal judgment in moving victims.  If it is apparent that a victim is injured, every reasonable effort should be made to protect the injured part during movement,  regardless of the mode used. 

8. Recovery

• Evacuate casualty away from opening Decontaminate casualty & rescuers Retrieve equipment
• Decontaminate equipment
• Return to Fire Station /Standby 

Be Professional and Care

• The main thing for the rescuer to remember is to care.
• The best combination of personal traits is compassion and professional expertise.
• Rescuers can improve the victim's emotional state by providing as much information as possible. 

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

• Don't rush in
• Don't panic
• Don't try alone
• Call back-up
• Standby team to help/assist
• Ventilate etc 
• Follow correct procedures
• Stay alert and get ready to get out quickly when you notice any worrying signs
• Set emergency signal/communication with Observer/hole watch 

PRE INCIDENT PLANNING

• Hazard Identification / Scenario
• Consequent analysis
• List the TASK
• Manpower requirement (Competence) List Equipment Needs
• The procedure,  Entry - Rescue - Med.  Evacuation etc. Training, drill, and review
• Try Out before work starts 

RESCUE  PLAN

• A Barricade area
• Additional ventilation option Appropriate lighting equipment Method of Communication Victim  removal devices Available emergency vehicles
• Medically trained personnel & equipment

RESCUE PROBLEM

• SPACE,  Contour,  Shape MANHOLE SIZE-HEIGHT/ DEEP VISIBILITY EQUIPMENT LAY-OUT
• PANIC, TIME AVAILABILITY ( 4 Minutes) LACK OF COORDINATION / Command, etc. 

Confine Space Rescue Training

• Use of atmospheric monitoring equipment
• Use and Maintenance of personal protective equipment - SCBA
• Use and Maintenance of Rescue Equipment
• Proficiency in  First Aid & CPR
• Practice ..  practice ...and practice  !!! 

Do not enter the Confine Space without a Safety harness, Lifeline,  Breathing Apparatus, and Observer standby

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CONFINED SPACE RESCUE ACTION PLAN