rescue Ops Bulletin 5a

“Confined Space SOG’s”

The mechanical, potential energy of all portions of equipment or machine is set so that the opening of pipes, tubes, hoses or activation of any valve, lever, or button will not produce a movement which could cause injury.

1. Type of space, what it’s used for, 9. # and location of entry
& current use points
2. Locate job site foreman or 10. Determine if electrical
reliable witness mechanical, chemical
3. Secure entry permit & MSDS or stored energy
sheets if applicable hazards exist
4. Determine # of victims and location 11. Initiate a tech Rescue
5. Obtain blueprints, maps or sketch of site documentation sheet/
6. Determine product storage hazards, confined space permit
Possible residue, engulfment potential
7. Rescue or Recovery
8. Determine mechanism of entrapment or nature of emergency

Assessment/ Size up
Manpower & Equipment
Make the General area Safe

Conduct hazard assessment and risk vs. benefit analysis
Establish Safety/ Exclusionary zones
Establish general area ventilation if necessary
Designate entry/exit point
Eliminate any potential/actual ignition sources

Confirm lock out, tag out, blank out procedures are complete. **Keys will remain with entry supervisor**
Post personnel @ locations to prevent reactivation.
Ensure only certified entrants donning proper breathing apparatus will make entry. **Entry w/SCBA = no further than 25 ft. and must be able to fit into space w/o removal**
Insure back-up team is established (RIT).
Entrants to work in teams unless inadequate space.
Ensure no entry is made in confined space using pagers or other electronic devices unless approved (atmos. monitor.)
Entry supervisor to determine appropriate PPE.

Atmosphere conditions
Space size/configuration
Rescue vs. Recovery

Oxygen content
Flammable gases and vapors
Potential toxic air contaminants

Supplied Air Breathing Apparatus (SABA)

Space must be of sufficient size.
Distance from entry point must not exceed 25 feet.
Victim/position within sight of entrance.
Tagline in place to harness. (½” rescue rope preferred; if using to lower must be lifeline.)
Utilization of the “Rule of 3.”

First 1/3 of SCBA supply utilized to enter/locate/work.
Second 1/3 of SCBA supply utilized for exit from space.
Last 1/3 of bottle kept in reserve (for safety).

A reduced profile and an unlimited air supply.

Entrant(s) not to exceed a 300 foot travel distance from air supply.
Hose connections secured with duct tape.
The 8mm rope in the umbilical will serve as the rescuer’s tagline.
Entrants must position escape bottle for easy access to bottle valve should it need to be operated. **Entrant immediately removed if need for use of escape bottle**

Prior to and during all entries.
Accomplished @ high and low areas of the space.

Note: It must be stressed that the lack of + alarm level readings does not eliminate the requirement for proper respiratory protection.

Recorded on the entry permit @ five (5) minute intervals.

Note: All atmospheric readings will be recorded on a technical rescue work sheet or entry permit.

Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH)

NO…

Note: There is no PPE with adequate protection against an explosion in a confined space.

Generally, entry team members will be limited to thirty (30) minutes in most spaces, and will be assigned rehab upon removal from the space.

Rescue Group Supervisor

Establish entrant tracking system to log entry times/names of entry personnel.
Establish and provide constant communications to entry team.
Continuously monitor and record atmosphere measurements.

Provide equipment to assist entry team into the space.
Prepares for an emergency evacuation of the entry team.
Provides equipment requested by entry team.
Identify, prepare, and operate retrieval systems used in the evacuation of patient and entry team from the confined space.

Nomex coveralls and hoods
Eye protection
Class III Harness
Helmet
Intrinsically safe lighting (no less than 2)
Atmosphere monitor (multi gas meter)
SABA/SCBA w/pass device

Ensure that, whenever possible, all team members are station on the egress side of the victim, in case the victim would become lodged.

Ventilation

Note: PPV is the method of choice when using mechanical ventilation.

Re-circulation (contaminated air exhausted to close to inlet; run duct to clean air source)
Short circuiting (fresh air does not reach areas of bad air; extend duct further into space)
Chimney effect (fan is not powerful enough to force air to all areas; prevented by placing duct in a corner to diffuse air by causing a turbulent, ricochet effect)

Negative pressure ventilation