Confined space operations Flashcards
What is a confined space?
- 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
include: manholes/sewers, cesspools, storage tanks , ship holds , etc.
A NON-PERMIT confined space can be just as dangerous as PERMIT confined space, it just has no sign to warn you of the dangers.
if a confined space poses a danger to anyone that enters, it is designated a PERMIT REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE , a permit space is any confined space that has one or more of the following potential problems:
- contains or potential to contain hazardous atmosphere
- contains material that could potentially engulf a person
- shaped in a way a person could be caught or asphyxiated by inwardly tapering walls, or floors sloping downwards
- contains any recognized , serious health or safety hazard
“DANGER: PERMIT REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE-DO NOT ENTER”
Atmospheric Hazards:
asphyxiant
toxic
explosive
all members entering any confined space must be breathing air from their SCBA at all times, unit atmosphere is verified safe
- the ONLY safe way to detect a lack of oxygen is through the use of an oxygen meter
- use of SCBA will protect the wearer against oxygen deficient atmosphere
- there is no accurate way to test for the presence of all possibly toxic materials in a filed setting
- treat every confined space as a DEADLY atmosphere until proven otherwise by verified meter readings
Physical hazards
- loss of footing
- tanks containing petroleum products or solvents often slippery
- LADDERS……use FDNY LADDERS if conditions permit
EXCEPT in EXTREME circumstances..ony members trained in confined space rescue should attempt entry , when conditions permit
Rescue/Squad trained
SOC SUPPORT -line of sight
First arriving units can..
POSITION APPARATUS FOR HIGH POINT ANCHOR (before SOC or tech rescue arrive s)
at BARE MINIMUM ..rescuer must know:
- hazards in the space
- how to escape space in emergency
- how to communicate with a]] attendant outsider
- how to use equipment needed to perform the rescue
- first aid /CPR
enters by members not specifically trained in confined space rescue should not be attempted , only in EXTREME EMERGENCIES
All members entering a confined space must be breathing air from the SCBA unless the atmosphere is PROVEN non hazardous via continuous meter readings
SAFE ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS
- 5 -23.5 (OXYGEN CONCENTRATION
- FLAMMABLE RANGE- NOT OVER 10% LEL
- TOXICITY NOT OVER 35 PPM OF CO
- TOXICITY- NOT OVER 10 PPM OF HDROGEN SULFIDE
EACH member entering a confined space should be SECURED TO SAFETY LINE AND HAVE A METHOD OF RETRIEVAL
-IC should carefully evaluate their ability to retrieve an injured or overcome member PRIOR to allowing entry
First alarm units shall not consider lowering a rescuer with LSR UNLESS EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES EXIST AND THEY MUST HAVE A PLAN FOR REMOVING THAT MEMBER
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 ,,,,TOWER LADDER first option, then Aerial
Tower Ladder
1000 lbs
Aerial - 250
never use TL or Aerial to life a person
-once BOOM OR LADDER is in position–ALL PERSONNEL MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE TURNTABLE AND ENGINE SHUT OF TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL MOVEMENT
MEMBERS selected for the initial entry to the confined space should , at a minimum by CFR certified.
This person should begin an assessment of the victim’s medical stats as soon as contact can be established with the victim
- as soon as the patient is accessible, the surrounding area is safe, and conditions permit, , with the permission of the on scene SQUAD /RESCUE , a Rescue paramedic may start patient care
- rescue paramedics are not trained to make “initial entry”
IF VICTIM is breathing , but atmosphere is a THREAT, establishing airway and placement of an SCBA face piece is the HIGHEST PRIORITY .
A rescuer shall NEVER remove their own face piece : a separate SCBA, or SPARE FAST PAK (other than FAST PAK assigned to FAST unit ) should be lowered just for the victim
use of OXYGEN in the confined space may not be possible and requires careful evaluation prior to use.
Introducing oxygen into a flammable or combustible atmosphere (eg..inside petroleum tank) could cause an explosion
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…if a BVM is used , it pushes 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
-ALL TRAUMA PATIENTS , and patients that are unconscious for an unknown reason , should be treated as having spinal injuries
Rescue and Squad Companies carry equipment designed for confined space removals
SOC SUPPORT LADDERS HAVE RECEIVED TRAINING IN PROPER PATIENT PACKAGING FOR REMOVALS INVOLVING ROPE.
-when removing victim, at very least, rescuer should have access to victims HEAD to ensure open airway as well as provide ventilation
