EMERGENCY FIRE & SAFETY LTD CONFINED SPACES EMERGENCIES HEALTH & SAFETY EDUCATION IS WEALTH

Transcription

1 EMERGENCY FIRE & SAFETY LTD CONFINED SPACES EMERGENCIES HEALTH & SAFETY EDUCATION IS WEALTH

2 Confined Spaces Emergencies / Procedure's Aim WE WILL BY DEMONSTRATION'S & PRESENTATIONS SHOW YOU HOW YOU CAN ACHIEVE SAFE WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES IN RELATION TO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS IN ORDER TO SAVE, TIME, MONEY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY LIVES. Objectives Confined Space Fatalities Case Study (Exel clip ) Confined Space Standards Confined Space Hazards and risks Emergency Procedures Risk Levels (Practical Demo) Saving Time, Money and Lives, setting up emergency plans for Confined Spaces emergencies. 2

3 Working in Confined Spaces, kills workers every year in large numbers on a Global Scale What we have to remember about confined spaces is that most of the associated deaths and injuries are down to some form of maintenance or difficult work, welding, cutting, relining, drilling, measuring, rescue and many more. HUMAN BEHAVIOR also plays a big part in the failures and ATTEMPTED RESCUE BY UNSKILLED RESCUERS. The theme of this conference is EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, so how well prepared are the workers who enter confined spaces,. James Cullen said earlier today that it is not the crisis in itself that is important but rather how the organisation responds during a crisis or Emergency. Statistics tell us we have less chance of surviving a confined space incident/ Emeregncy than most other workplace accidents. 3

4 Global Confined Space Statistics USA - During the 5-year period ( ), there were a total of 481 fatalities. This averages to about 96.2 fatalities per year (or 1.85 fatalities per week). Closer to home in the UK and Ireland 125 people on average die in confined spaces every 5 years in the UK and Ireland 25 people every year, 2 per month.. So how can we improve those odds. 4

5 XCEL ENERGY HYDROELECTRIC PLANT PENSTOCK FIRE On October 2, 2007, a chemical fire inside a permit-required confined space at Xcel Energy s hydroelectric plant in a remote mountain location 45 miles (72 kilometers) west of Denver, Colorado, Five Dead,Three Injured.

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7 SOME KEY ELEMENTS OF WHAT WENT WRONG AT XCEL! Poor Planning,Very Little Training, No Emergency Plan Contractor selection Remoteness of site, from Local Fire Brigade and Specialist Team, On the day of the incident, approximately 16 gallons (61 liters) of highly flammable methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) solvent stored in plastic buckets RPI monitored the atmosphere of the penstock, a permit-required confined space, for flammable atmospheres only at is entrance, 1,450 feet (442 meters) from the work activities, rather than where flammables were being used. A number of ignition sources present or created by the work activity were not eliminated or controlled. Effective controls were not evaluated or implemented during their pre-job safety planning, such as substituting MEK with a non-flammable solvent. No Emergency Planning 7

8 The Confined Spaces Regulations (NI) 1999 A Confined Space has two defining features: 1.It may be substantially (but not always entirely enclosed). 2.There may be a foreseeable risk from a specified risk, either within the confined space or near-by. 8

9 Confined Space Legislation The Confined Space Regulations (NI) 1999 states; If after carrying out an assessment of the work it identifies risks of serious injury from work in a confined space as described below, the following duties are required under the above legislation; 1. avoid entry to the confined space Regulation 4.1 Preventing the need for entry. A person.shall not enter a confined space to carry out work for any purpose unless it is not reasonably practicable to achieve that purpose without such entry. 2. if entry is unavoidable, follow a safe system of work 3. put in place adequate emergency arrangements BEFORE the work starts

10 CONFINED SPACE LEGISLATION Definition of Confined Spaces A Confined Space is any place, including any chamber, tank, vat, silo, pit, sewer, flue, well or other similar space which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a reasonably foreseeable risk. Cocoa Bean Crusher Sewer Cellar Storage Tanks Process Vessels Boiler Inlet Chamber

11 Avoid entry to the confined space Regulation 4.1 Preventing the need for entry. A person.shall not enter a confined space to carry out work for any purpose unless it is not reasonably practicable to achieve that purpose without such entry. (examples of how that can be achieved) If entry is unavoidable, follow a safe system of work and put in place adequate emergency arrangements BEFORE the work starts 11

12 THE CONFINED SPACE RISKS INVOLVED The purpose of the risk assessment is to identify the relevant hazards and formulate a safe system of work. It will also determine the emergency arrangements, which must be in place prior to entry. Note: that the necessary protective measures and emergency arrangements must be appropriate both for the hazards of concern and any other hazards which might be present falls from height, contact with moving parts of machinery, contact with live electrical equipment, cardiac arrest by natural causes etc. 12

13 Some of the Hazards and Risks of Confined Spaces Access and Egress Drowning and size of the space Lack of oxygen Fire and Explosion Entrapment from free flowing solids Increase in body temperature and rescue Poisonous gases, fumes, vapors'

14 CONFINED SPACE STANDARDS FOR TRAINING. All UK courses and Standards must comply with the Confined Space Regulations (NI) 1999, UK There is no defined level of training that suits all sectors. City & Guilds Confined Spaces (Level 2,3,4,5) These short course single unit qualifications have been developed from the national occupational standards for confined. City & Guilds standard is supported by the Health and Safety Executive. Water UK & EUSkills Water UK and EUSkills together developed the Occasional Guidance Note (OGC) for Entry Into Confined spaces. In the UK for confined space entries made by contractors to water companies identifies 4 entry categories designated (see later levels) Also several other levels: MOD - SAFE WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES MOD JSP 375 CITB will fund courses and will have a list of organisations that can deliver them FAS Ireland as Water UK standard,c1 Low, C2/3 Med, C4 High Risk (if you have similar it will be suffice for most clients in the ROI) Note: the Confined Spaces Regulations do not apply offshore but L101 is a source 14

15 The Risk Assessment Your risk assessment will determine what emergency arrangements are necessary. Your on site Confined Space audit and emergency rescue procedure's will determine what level of risk you are, NC1, NC2, NC3 and NC4. However, Water Companies may have their own classifications Low Risk NC1 Low/Medium Risk NC2/3 High Risk NC4 The arrangements will depend on the nature of the confined space, the risks identified and the types of emergency situations which are foreseeable. 15

16 4. Control the Risks Hierarchy of Control Measures Eliminate - Avoid entry Substitute - Man for Machine Isolate - turn off machinery Reduce -Gas Test S.S.O.W -Describe how job should be carried out safely Good Housekeeping I.I.T.S PPE

17 4. Control Measures 17

18 Identify Confined Spaces CONFINED SPACE FLOW-CHART Carry out Risk Assessment Entry NOT required to carry out AVOID ENTRY Entry required in order to carry out Maintenance carried out from outside the Confined Space. Pre-Planning Contractor Vetting Risk Assessments from all parties Training Adequate resources (equipment) Rescue Procedures Responsibilities defined Permit to Work Plant Isolation Natural ventilation/purging/cooling Atmospheric Testing Safe Atmosphere achieved Safe Atmosphere NOT achieved Ventilation and Purging Continually review and revise Risk Assessment Change in workforce, methods, equipment, hazards, activities. Prepare for Entry Topman/Doorman in Place Workforce signed onto Permit Toolbox Talks / PPE Supervision Rescue Team on Stand By Communication Reconsider entry If entry essential Full Breathing Apparatus will be required. 18

19 The impact of a Confined Space Incident HSE NI Investigation Prosecutions Large fines - force company out of business Damaged reputation Negative impact on shareholders Increase insurance premiums New Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act 2007 management can be held accountable. 19

20 Emergency Arrangement's Whenever work in a confined space is carried out, Arrangements that are suitable and sufficient for the rescue of persons in the event of an emergency therein must be in place. Where appropriate, the necessary equipment to enable rescue and resuscitation procedures to be carried out must be available. The arrangements must be in place before any person enters or commences work in that confined space. 20

21 Possible confined space rescue strategies include the following: Self-rescue where the circumstances, the nature of the hazards and the control measures available allow. Rescue by trained team members using nonentry methods, if feasible. Rescue by trained team members using a safe entry technique. Rescue using a safe entry technique by the local public emergency services subject to adequate time being available (this depends on the nature of the hazards and the response time of the emergency services). 21

22 Rescue Logistics The risk assessment will determine what combination of confined space rescue strategies is appropriate for the particular situation. To be suitable and sufficient the emergency arrangements should take account of: Training Rescue logistics Rescue equipment Resuscitation procedures and equipment 22

23 A typical gas alarm incident time line Rescue team in place Gas detector alarms Working party are alerted by the noise of the Gas detector or visually 10secs Dorman/top-man reacts to the alarm sounds evacuation alarm informs controls and rescue team 30secs At this point the team is evacuating 2-3mins Doorman/top/man stays in place until advised to standdown Rescue team arrive and assess the situation. Assembles rescue team, instructs team, rescue equipment set-up 3mins Rescue team enters to carry out rescue 3-5mins as they are familiar with the area Control room will notify emergency services if required 3-5 Rescue completed all out safe 3-5 Total time 15 mins No rescue team. Emergency services contacted 3mins ES arrive ES Dynamic assessment 5-10 Equipment set-up 5-10 depending on location Team Brief 3-5mins Team enters and carry's out rescue mins Total 40 mins - 1hr 10 mins All out safe Confined space NO ACCESS permit cancelled. 3 hours Managers and Supervisors notified as above Area is re-assessed, gas detection, if safe permit re-issued. 1-2 hours Working party re-enters -30mins Total 4hrs 34 mins The cost is substantial for all time lines

24 The Myths and Now the facts of Prolonged Suspension in an Harness By Kevin Howlette Trauma and Rescue Tech MD Emergency Fire & Safety Ltd

25 Suspension Trauma and its various names The physical phenomenon known as "suspension trauma. It also goes by several other names, such as, Orthostatic intolerance Harness-induced pathology, Harness hang syndrome Suspension syncope incident, Prolonged motionless suspension syndrome Simply post-fall faint. There is no standard name. 25

26 What is it? A state of shock from blood accumulating in the legs from passive suspension. Early Fainting with death Late muscle damage It is not Death from sitting in a harness Climbers can sit in harnesses for a very long time, days even. 26

27 So what are all the changes about Lets look at the history of harness testing and Trauma In the late 1940s the RAF and NASA were using test pilots and marines to test parachutes Climbers and Cavers in Europe who were generally Doctors tried to understand why people were dying on ropes after being rescued. Some were in harnesses for up to 4 hours we started industrial harness testing generally with a 100kg test dummy at 4mts, even today this is the main test weight: So what is Suspension trauma its a state of shock induced by passive hanging. They are rare occurrences and are hard to study. The key word in this presentation is Passive NOT MOVING, in a harness 27

28 So what have the HSE said? The HSE has changed it thinking on suspension trauma and has published a statement The HSE has radically said that the suspended individual should be rescued and normal trauma management should start. The HSE then went on to say: The sometimes quoted suggestion of recovery in a semirecumbent or sitting position, was considered to be without any sound evidence base and may prove dangerous through prolonging the lack of blood return to the brain. 28

29 So what happens in a fall incident ANATOMY OF FALL DYNAMICS Most accidental falls create movement forces, that generates a 22.5knt(2.2 tons) mass after a 6-foot free-fall on the body The body then come to a sudden stop.secondary fall can happen. The heavier the victim, of course, the greater the force of impact The spinal orientation of the victim (relative to his lanyard vector, if he is wearing one) at the moment, that the terminal forces are applied will contribute significantly to the resulting trauma to the body. See the whipping and secondary fall impact that can generate a further 15knt 29

30 The slamming effect / Impact Slamming effect or Impact is at termination, delivered by the lanyard to the contact areas of the body, the nylon fibres begin to stretch around the upper legs, groin and buttocks. The harness straps reach maximum elongation and then quickly begin to contract against the soft tissues. Often, if the fall occurs in a vertical vector, the impact may thrust the gastrointestinal system violently up against the diaphragm, Causing the victim to temporarily loose his breath, perhaps damaging the protective pleural membrane around the heart and lungs. Its the same impact you have in a car crash. Your organs are thrust up into your upper chest, You cant breath, your disorientated, you have major trauma to the body, Now we start to faint or have multiple episodes if we are not rescued Quickly 30

31 Faint Syndrome We have all seen the effects of stressed Solders at Buckingham palace by military personnel In simple terms the victim's blood pools in his lower extremities by the force of gravity and, without muscular contractions, eventually this reduces the blood volume to the heart and downstream organs. The heart wants volume and does not care if it is toxic 31

32 Heart and Renal Failures Without volume the heart will start to shrink, due to the lack of volume of blood it has to pump. Now renal failure will start to be an issue as the kidneys cant clean the volume in the legs and toxic acid starts to build up. Potassium starts to be released by dead cells from the muscle tissue and travel to the heart and will slowly kill the victim 32

33 The faint, solder syndrome So, stand still and we faint, keep standing still and we go in and out of faints and they become serious If the brain is not getting the blood it likes and the glucose and if we are not perfusing (Supply an organ, tissue, or body) with a fluid, by circulating it through blood vessels.. we get what s called a vasovagal response Fainting (syncope) is caused by a temporary reduction in blood flow to the brain. Signs and symptoms Among people with vasovagal episodes, the episodes are typically recurrent, usually happening when the person is exposed to a specific trigger, falling in this case. Prior to losing consciousness, the individual frequently experiences symptoms such as light-headedness, nausea, the feeling of being extremely hot (accompanied by sweating), ringing in the ears (tinnitus), uncomfortable feeling in the heart, fuzzy thoughts, a slight inability to speak/form words 33

34 Being Passive, what is it? Death is not caused from siting in a harness, as many people think, as many disciplines sit in harnesses for many hours a day, its their job. Being passive in a harness is what causes the problems or falling and unable to move, in and upright position. Those who survive passive suspension are at risk for rhabdomyolysis. Muscle destruction. What we call late muscle damage will release myoglobin it leaks out and is toxic in the form of Potassium and Acid 34

35 Passively hanging In a rope access or climbing setting, you can see this in cases of persons suspended on rope by their harness as muscles start to swell inside the bone structure of the legs The venous is the blood returning to the heart, the pump cant return blood to the heart as all the values are open pointing downwards. In a conscious person, leg movements work the venous pump to return blood to the central circulation area the heart. In the person passively hanging, blood pools in the legs leading to hypoperfusion of vital organs. Cerebral hypoperfusion is a medical condition wherein the brain experiences a decrease of blood supply. It is often associated with cerebral hypoxia, in which the brain receives an insufficient supply of oxygen carried by the blood. 35

36 A huge amount of blood needs to be pumped around the legs 4lts out of the 7 lts in our body 36

37 Do understand what your wearing? My concern is lack of knowledge of, even the most experienced working at height technician has. The 6kN maximum arrest force and the speed we fall at 9.8mts/ps for a human subject on a free fall of up to 4m can be devastating to the wearer. So, what type of harness do I need? Length of lanyard? Can I be rescued or even reached by the rescue team? Deterioration of the spine starts around 40 for men and women, falling in a harness acierates this. External lacerations received by contact could also contribute significantly to blood volume loss. Once the fall victim has come to rest and survived the initial effects of his fall, his troubles have just begun 37

38 Get them down If victims are hanging they will start to have retinal failure We simply 1. lay them down and gravity will do the rest, 2. no sitting half up, 3. no taking time to drain blood back to the heart Lets not be confused as, Vascular surgeons clamp the biggest artery when operating for up to 2 hours and the patient is lying down when the blood starts to flow again, it does not kill them? Start the chain of survival, CPR, AED, SPLINTS ect. 38

39 Conclusion Its clear, that the longer fall victim is in a passive state the more damage is occurring, we want to restore blood flow ASAP Its now clear that the harness, is not causing the damage when we are passive, it s the lack off movement that killing them Trauma straps allow leg movement and any type of leg loops, it allows pushing and working the muscles, the Latchways system your about to see, allows for quick decent and very little passive syndrome 39

40 Concussions Suspension trauma is death by fainting and being passive Potassium levels can be to high, so we treat with bicarbonate We hang and we will have renal failure, get them down, lie them down, don t worry about the harness Above all training is vital to the wearer. 40

41 Ouch 41

42 START THE CHAIN OF SURVIVAL

43 The impact of a Confined Space Incident HSE NI Investigation Prosecutions Large fines - force company out of business Damaged reputation Negative impact on shareholders Increase insurance premiums New Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act 2007 management can be held accountable. 43

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45 EMERGENCY FIRE & SAFETY LTD CONFINED SPACES EMERGENCIES / PROCEDURE'S HEALTH & SAFETY EDUCATION IS WEALTH