Confined Space - an enclosed or partially enclosed space that (a) is at atmospheric pressure when anyone happens to be in the space; and (b) is not designed primarily to be a workplace; and (c) has a restricted entry to, or exit from, the place; and (d) is, or is likely to be, entered by a person to work; and (e)is likely to contain (i) an atmosphere that has higher levels of harmful contaminant; (ii) an atmosphere with unsafe oxygen levels; (iii) anything that is easily inflammable.
Confined Space Rescue is a highly dangerous Venture as the hazards faced are very high and can be fatal most of the times.
Statistics show that more than 60% of those that die in Confined Spaces are the people who are attempting to perform a rescue.
This can be attributed to lack of proper training on the rescuers part as the people who try to 'initiate the rescue' do not recognize the hazards, overestimate their abilities and resources.
In other words..
they do not have a proper 'plan of approach' to do the rescue.
Hence..
it is highly imperative that the person who is trying to initiate the rescue is properly trained, so that he/she can rescue the victim as well as himself.
Some of the most important things that one must take into consideration before trying to attempt a rescue is to analyze: Size-up of the Incident Atmospheric Monitoring VentilationCommunications Respiratory Protection Proper Harness Retrieval Lines Mechanical Device Lighting Pre-Entry Briefing Size-up of the Incident: The first thing a person who is trying to attempt a rescue must do is to closely monitor,analyze and determine the hazards that exist.
The factors to be considered while determining the hazards are Atmosphere - presence of poisonous gas,if any, the way out or the exit, safety and protection of the rescue team, speed and accuracy in conducting the 'rescue effort' in the shortest possible time.
Atmospheric Monitoring: Before entering any hazardous Confined space, the rescuer must analyze the surroundings for leakage or presence of any poisonous gas as this will help protect the rescuer and his rescue team.
Monitoring will help assist you determine survival chances of the victim.
If there is presence of any hazardous substance in the atmosphere, the rescuer must wear proper protective gear and Oxygen mask to protect himself from deprival of Oxygen, which could be fatal.
Ventilation: Your ventilation will be achieved through either a process of natural, forced supply, forced exhaust or a combination of forced supply and exhaust ventilation.
The intention is to first of all increase survival profile of the victim as well as make the environment more tenable for rescuers.
Good ventilation procedures will buy you time, thus it should be initiated as soon after the initial monitoring results as possible.
Respiratory Protection: It is always Prudent to take proper precautions from the most dangerous hazard in Confined Spaces - Hazardous atmospheres.
Atmospheric Monitoring usually determines the need for respiratory protection.
Hence, the rescuer must ask himself, these questions: 1) How many possible combinations of toxic gases did I check for with my atmospheric monitor? 2) How many possible combinations of toxic gases exist today, and of those combinations how many could be in the space that I'm preparing to enter with no respiratory protection? Proper Harness: When packaging your victim or placing a harness on yourself as a rescuer, ask yourself this question.
If a person being placed in the harness was to become unresponsive, would it be possible to perform non-entry rescue or would the person roll into a ball or plug the opening? This question may prompt you to use anklets on even the rescuer when making horizontal entries.
Retrieval Lines: Whenever we place a person in a Confined Space they should be attached to a retrieval line.
Anytime an entrant enters a space below five feet below grade, they must be attached to a retrieval line.
Mechanical Device: A Mechanical device is to be provided to assist in hoisting the victim when entries are made five feet or more below grade.
In this way one can perform non-entry rescue.
The regulation states that the Mechanical device must be readily available, and does not specify what type of Mechanical device or the specific Mechanical advantage required.
This allows us to use everything from cable winches with fall restraint to rope and pulley Mechanical advantage systems in a z-rig fashion or piggy-back systems.
Lighting: The rescuer must have proper lighting if the space is too dark to see in.
In addition, remember that whenever the rescuer switches on an Electronic device in a confined space they should confirm that there is not a flammable atmosphere and or preferably use intrinsically safe equipment.
Pre-Entry Briefing: It only makes sense that you would want your key players (i.
e.
, Entry Supervisor, Attendant, Entrant and Back-Up Entrant, at a minimum) to know the following things before they begin a risky task: 1.
The hazards they may face in the space.
2.
A confirmation of the equipment needed to complete the task and a confirmation of their familiarity with the equipment.
3.
A review of the communications plan and back-up plan.
4.
Any self rescue plans as well as the objective to be met while in the space.
The Rescue team should include: Entry Supervisor Attendant Entrant Back-up Entrant A Rigger to develop and manage the raise/lower system Air Supply Officer to manage the respiratory system Monitoring Officer to manage the monitoring and documentation of such Line tenders to manage all of the air, communications and retrieval lines There are many courses available in Confined Space Training: Operate Breathing Apparatus Confined Space Entry Training Enter & Work In Confined Space Safe Work in Confined Spaces Breathing Apparatus Confined Space Training - Reassessment Nationally Recognized Breathing Apparatus Course Start Next Week Inc, Australia offers Nationally Recognized 'Confined Space Training' that is recognized all over Australia, a much sought after profession with excellent Job Prospects.