TRAINING BULLETINS March 15, 1997 CONFINED SPACE OPERATIONS 1. INTRODUCTION:

Transcription

1 March 15, INTRODUCTION: The citizens of the City of New York have traditionally relied on the Fire Department to come to their aid when they are in trouble. For over 130 years, this Department has responded to all types of fires and emergencies, including Confined Space Rescue (CSR) Operations. Confined Space Rescue continues to be a basic part of Fire Department operations. The dangers to firefighters at a confined space incident are different from those faced at a typical structure fire. They may be far less obvious than fire, even invisible, yet could kill with one or two breaths. In many ways the confined space incident is more dangerous than a building fire. These differences must be understood, and the limitations of this bulletin must be complied with if firefighters are to operate safely in a confined space operation. In April, 1993, the Federal Government s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a new standard governing the way operations are conducted at confined space incidents. This standard, 29-CFR , was created as a response to several disastrous confined space incidents in which several rescuers died. A study of the scope of the confined space problem revealed that during a three year period, 276 confined space incidents led to the death of 234 people and 193 others injured. Perhaps the most disturbing piece of information revealed by an analysis of this study is that approximately 60% of the casualties in these cases started out as RESCUERS! One result of the OSHA standard is a requirement that a suitable rescue team be readily available before persons enter certain dangerous confined spaces. This may be accomplished in several ways; one means specifically recommended by the standard, is to call the local fire department. We can anticipate increased response to these incidents. 1.1 What is confined space? The Code of Federal Regulations 29-CFR defines a confined space as any area that is: Not designed for continuous human occupancy ; and Large enough and so configured that a person can enter and perform work; and Has limited means for entry and escape. 1

2 1.1.2 Confined spaces take many different shapes and forms. (See Fig # 1) They include manholes, sewers, cesspools, storage tanks, silos, holds of ships, elevator shafts, chimneys and many other seemingly unlikely places for a person to be working. It must be noted there are literally thousands of confined spaces spread over all boroughs of the city. Some, such as manholes, are entered on a routine basis by the employees who must maintain the equipment they contain. Not all confined spaces are dangerous. Chances are that during an average tour, you will pass by at least one or two confined space entry sites and not ever have a problem. Certain dangerous confined spaces may be designated as Permit Required Confined Spaces (Permit Spaces) by OSHA. Figure # 1 Examples of Confined Spaces STORAGE TANK SHIP S HOLD ELEVATOR SHAFT MANHOLE 2 Rev. 10/06/15

3 1.2 What is a Permit Required Confined Space? If a confined space poses a danger to anyone that enters it, it is designated a Permit Required Confined Space (permit space). A Permit Space is any confined space that has one or more of the following potential problems: Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere. Contains material that could potentially engulf a person. Is shaped in a way that a person could be caught or asphyxiated by inwardly tapering walls, or floors that slope downward, tapering into a smaller cross section. Contains any recognized serious health or safety hazard. A permit space is designated by the owner of the space, who issues the permit. They may be recognized by the warning sign which OSHA requires to be posted at the entry to the space reading: Danger: Permit Required Confined Space-Do Not Enter or similar wording. 2. POTENTIAL HAZARDS A non - permit space can be just as deadly as a permit space, it just doesn t have a sign to warn you of the dangers! The hazards to persons inside confined spaces, in addition to engulfment and tapering shapes, can be divided into two main categories; atmospheric hazards and physical hazards. Atmospheric hazards are the most deadly, accounting for almost 65% of all confined space deaths. Atmospheric hazards can be of three types: Asphyxiant Toxic Explosive 2.1 Atmospheric Hazard Due to the potential for life threatening atmosphere, all members entering any confined space must be breathing air from their SCBA at all times, until the atmosphere is verified safe! Atmospheres that are simply asphyxiants (do not contain enough oxygen to support life) account for as many as 50% of all confined space deaths. Oxygen deficiency can be brought on by a number of factors in a closed space. Oxygen can be displaced by another gas, such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen, both are inert gases. Oxygen can be used up in a space by the action of biological decay, even steel rusting in a ship s tanks can use up the oxygen. In most of these cases there will be no hint to give indication of any lack of oxygen-no visible cloud or any other outward sign. The only safe way to detect a lack of oxygen is through the use of an oxygen meter carried by Rescue Companies and Haz Mat. The use of an SCBA will protect the wearer against an oxygen deficient atmosphere. 3

4 March 15, Toxic atmospheres are more difficult to evaluate and operate in than are asphyiant atmospheres. There is no accurate way to test for the presence of all possibly toxic materials in a field setting When evaluating a suspected hazardous atmosphere, you must take a cautious approach. Just because you see nothing unusual, do not assume everything is safe. Treat every confined space as a deadly atmosphere until proven otherwise by verified meter readings. Remember that some materials have multiple hazards, i.e., some flammable materials such as methanol are highly toxic, and highly toxic materials like hydrogen cyanide can be flammable. If you encounter an oxygen deficient atmosphere, ask what displaced or used up the oxygen. It could be a toxic material that does not show up on the available meters. 2.2 Physical Hazards Around and within many confined spaces you may encounter hazards that can injure or kill the unsuspecting rescuer. Loss of footing is a common hazard in many spaces. Tanks that contained petroleum products or solvents, as well as sewers, are usually slippery. Since many spaces are not entered frequently, ladders built into these spaces may have deteriorated dangerously since last use Members entering these spaces should use a Fire Department ladder if conditions permit. Members should also be protected against sudden falling by tying off their life line around a substantial object to allow them to be lowered into the space. They should remain attached to this lifeline at all times while operating in the space. It will serve to protect them against further falls, act as a guideline for their retreat or to guide reinforcements to their positions. It can also be used to pull additional equipment in or out of the space if need be. (See Fig # 2) Figure # 2 4

5 3. ENTRANT REQUIREMENTS 3.1 Before a member is permitted to enter a confined space to perform a rescue, that member must, by law, be provided with sufficient information, training and protection to allow him to conduct the rescue in as safe a manner as possible As a bare minimum, the rescuer who is entering a confined space must know: The hazards within the space, including signs of danger and symptoms of exposure to materials in the space. How to escape the space in an emergency. How to communicate with the attendant outside. How to use the equipment needed to perform the rescue, especially the rescuers personal protective equipment and patient handling equipment. First Aid procedures and C.P.R. 4. OPERATIONS 4.1 Upon arrival at any confined space incident the first arriving unit shall perform the following tasks: Determine nature of response, what has happened? Contact responsible on-site personnel. Establish a control perimeter-exclude non-essential personnel. Ensure response of necessary resources, i.e., nearest Rescue Company, HazMat, SOC Support Ladder Company, EMS, Battalion Chief. Contact victim-without entering space. Call out to victim. Interview attendant-witnesses. Examine permit. Monitor atmosphere. Review hazard information, MSDS, Chemtrec, Manufacturer. Determine hazards. Weigh risk vs. benefit. Inside/outside rescue? Review ongoing operations. Review responding resources. Contact needed expert assistance. Commence rescue operations if conditions permit 5 Rev 01/12/05

6 4.2 First arriving units should treat most confined space emergencies in the same fashion we have come to use at Hazardous Materials Incidents, with extreme care for the rescuers well being. They should take all possible steps to remove any hazards within the space, locking out, blinding off, venting, etc., prior to allowing anyone to enter the space if the situation permits. Incident Commanders must be aware of the serious limitations of using standard 30 minute SCBA cylinders for confined space entry. Prior to entry into a space, one member should be designated as the SCBA control timer. This member should ensure that each member has a full SCBA cylinder for entry and write down the time that each member dons their facepiece. (See Fig 3) Figure # 3 As a general rule, each member operating with a 30 minute cylinder must be withdrawn to fresh air in 15 minutes in order to ensure their safety. Members must be aware of the need to be out in fresh air before removing their facepiece. The vibralert on the mask may not provide the wearer with sufficient exit time if a complex entry and/or escape path must be followed. For this reason, it is critical that the rescuers remain in direct line of sight with the outside and their exit! (See Fig 4) Figure # 4 Entry into confined Spaces with 30 Min. SCBA s must be strictly limited to situations where rescuers can be seen and removed from outside. 10 Min. to reach victim = 10 Min. to ESCAPE!!! 6

7 4.3 Each member entering a confined space must be secured in a bowline on a bight and slippery hitch to a life saving rope. The primary purpose for remaining attached to the lifesaving rope is to allow members outside to remove an overcome rescuer if conditions deteriorate. Where there is a possibility of members being overcome, first alarm units face a serious problem in removal from vertical spaces. Several members pulling on a line can drag a person horizontally, provided there are no obstacles to snag him. To haul a fullgrown adult vertically, without some sort of mechanical advantage system, or at the very least a pulley over the opening to allow several members to pull horizontally, is nearly impossible. Incident Commanders should carefully evaluate their ability to retrieve an injured or overcome member prior to allowing entry. Once the Rescue Company arrives on the scene, they will be able to provide additional high point anchors over the opening and/or mechanical advantage systems. (See Fig 5) 4.4 First alarm units considering lowering a rescuer with the life saving rope must have a plan for removing that member. A benefit of having the full first alarm assignment on hand is that there are plenty of workers that can be used for hauling on the life saving rope if necessary. It is, however, exceptionally difficult to haul a person up and out of a vertical opening when the people doing the hauling are trying to pull over the lip or mouth of the hole. What is needed is a high point for a pulley over the opening to allow several members to pull horizontally while the victim or rescuer is raised vertically. A very stable, easily created high point anchor that may be available at the scene, is a tower ladder, or if there is no better alternative, an aerial ladder. The tower ladder is preferred due to its greater weight supporting capacity, at least 800 lbs., compared to only 250 lbs. for an aerial. The most important point to be remembered is that the AERIAL OR TOWER SHALL NEVER BE USED AS A CRANE TO LIFT A PERSON. The tower or aerial is only to be utilized as a high point anchor over the opening, as a place to secure the pulley. Once the boom or ladder is in position, ALL PERSONNEL MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE TURNTABLE AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL MOVEMENT of the device. This is essential due to the great forces exerted by these hydraulic systems. If a victim or rescuer became snagged on an obstacle while a power device was being used to raise them, amputation, decapitation and death could result. Remember, use power devices only as anchor points! 7 Fig. 5 Rev. 3/16/98

8 5. MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS 5.1 Treatment of injured victims in dangerous confined spaces is a difficult task. Concerns for patient s airway, breathing, circulation, spinal injuries and secondary injuries along with physical restrictions on size and type of medical treatment devices must be balanced with the threat to rescuers. If possible, the members selected for the initial entry to the confined space should be CPR and first aid trained or CFR-D certified. This person should begin an assessment of the victim s medical status, as soon as contact can be established with the victim. Questioning the victim as to what happened, patient s name, date of birth, etc., serves to establish the victim s level of consciousness as well as their orientation as to time, place, and condition. Be sure to alert medical personnel to any changes in the level of consciousness during ongoing removal operations. 5.2 Medical treatment of injured victims in dangerous confined spaces, while following the standard ABC s of Life Support, will of necessity, vary from treatment given in less hostile environments. If the victim is breathing but the atmosphere is a threat, establishing an airway and placement of a mask facepiece is the highest priority. The rescuers shall never remove their facepieces. A separate mask should be lowered for the victim. 5.3 Use of the resuscitator may not be possible and requires careful evaluation prior to use. Introducing oxygen into a flammable or combustible atmosphere (e.g., inside a petroleum storage tank) could cause an explosion. Even a non-hazardous atmosphere can be oxygen enriched by a resuscitator if the space is very small and not well vented. Performing CPR in a hazardous atmosphere is generally to be discouraged. It requires additional personnel to perform, slows efforts to remove the victim and exposes both victim and rescuer to the dangerous atmosphere for longer periods. In addition, if a manual ventilator (Ambu-Bag) is used instead of resuscitator, it pumps more of any dangerous atmosphere into the victim. Generally, it is best to remove the victim to a safe atmosphere as quickly as possible where definitive life support measures are available instead of only partly effective efforts in the confined space that delay removal. For the same reason, it may be necessary to forego a secondary survey of injuries in a dangerous confined space. A victim with a broken leg can be treated in open air and survive, but a well-splinted leg that delays removal could cause the victim not to survive. 5.4 Falls inside confined spaces, as well as falling objects, account for a substantial number of confined space injuries. For this reason, all trauma victims, and victims that are unconscious for an unknown reason, should be treated as having spinal injuries. Under normal circumstances, that involves the placement of spinal traction, a cervical collar, and the securing to an immobilization device such as a KED and/or long board. Rev. 3/16/98 8

9 5.5 Packaging a victim for removal from confined spaces can be a severe challenge. The overall size of the victim and any attachments such as splints, backboard, etc., must be able to fit through the smallest dimension of every opening in the path of egress. At times, under extreme conditions, it may be necessary to forego nearly all attempts at immobilization in order to secure patient survival. Unless conditions demand immediate removal, it is usually best to await the needed special equipment. 5.6 When preparing the victim for transport, be sure to thoroughly review the route to be taken and obstacles that will be encountered. Try to imagine yourself in the victim s position, strapped into a stretcher and passing through a narrow space such as a pipe. A rescuer should be in position to monitor the patient throughout the removal. At the very least, he/she should have access to the victim s head to ensure an open airway and provide ventilation if needed, as well as monitoring the patient s status and signaling the person doing the hauling if that status changes during transport. NOTE: The Incident Commander should ensure the response of Advanced Life Support Personnel from EMS to all confined space rescue incidents. Rev. 3/16/98 9

10 A. Determine Nature of Response: Data Sheet # 1 CONFINED SPACE RESCUE PLAN CHECKLIST 1. Contact responsible on-site personnel. Name/Title 2. What has happened? 3. How many victims? 4. How long has victim been trapped? Time of Incident B. Establish a Control Perimeter: 1. Exclude nonessential personnel. 2. Do not permit entry by unprotected, untrained rescuers. C. Ensure Response of Necessary Resources: 1. Nearest available Rescue Co. 2. Hazardous Materials Co. #1. 3. Battalion Chief. 4. SOC Support Ladder Co. and CFR-D Engine Co. 5. Emergency Medical Service - Advanced Life Support Unit. D. Begin Hazard Analysis: 1. Interview witnesses/responsible person. 2. Examine Confined Space Entry Permit, if present. 3. Monitor atmosphere for oxygen content, flammable, toxic materials. 4. Review hazard information from M.S.D.S., Chemtrec, Manufacturer or On-Site Expert. 5. What are the hazards? E. Control Site Hazards: 1. Post two radio-equipped members with necessary tools at each location which controls flow/energy at inside space. a. Shut off electric power to space. b. Secure any movable parts/objects. c. Close valves on fuel/product/hydraulic/water/gas lines leading to space. Fuel Product Hydraulic Water Gas d. Remove all sources of ignition, if flammables present. 1 Rev 01/12/05

11 2. Ventilate space to remove any hazardous atmospheres. Use positive pressure venting, if possible. F. Formulate Rescue Plan: 1. Review ongoing operations. 2. Can victim be removed without rescuers entering space? 3. Review responding resources. 4. Contact needed expert assistance, i.e., SCUBA Rescue. G. Commence Rescue Operation if Within the Capabilities of Units on the Scene: 1. All members entering confined spaces must be breathing air from SCBA unless atmosphere is PROVEN non-hazardous (continuous meter readings). 2. All members entering the space must be attached to a retrieval line and full body harness (life saving rope secured to member with bowline on bight and slippery hitch) at all times to permit their removal, if unconscious. 3. Means of hauling members out of space (retrieval system) must be set up before member enters space. 4. DO NOT USE ANY POWER EQUIPMENT (CRANE, TOWER OR AERIAL LADDER) TO HAUL A HUMAN BEING FROM A CONFINED SPACE! The person getting hung up on an obstruction while being hauled, could be killed or seriously injured. If necessary, such devices may be used as anchors for manual hauling systems. If a ladder apparatus is to be used as a high point anchor, the motor should be shut off, and all personnel removed from the vicinity of the controls. H. Names of Entrants/Units: Safe Atmospheric Conditions 2. Oxygen Concentration between 19.5% and 23.5%. 3. Flammable Range - Not over 10% of LEL. 4. Toxicity - Not over 35 PPM of Carbon Monoxide Not over 10 PPM of Hydrogen Sulfide 2