Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary characteristic of a confined space?
What is the primary characteristic of a confined space?
- Large enough for an employee to enter and perform assigned work (correct)
- Designed for continuous employee occupancy
- Typically contains a hazardous atmosphere
- Has expansive means for entry or exit
Which factor significantly contributes to confined space fatalities?
Which factor significantly contributes to confined space fatalities?
- Misplaced compassion during rescue attempts (correct)
- Insufficient training for emergency responders
- Failure to wear protective gear
- Inaccessibility of the confined space
Which of the following is NOT considered a confined space killer?
Which of the following is NOT considered a confined space killer?
- Safety shortcuts
- Negligence (correct)
- Misplaced compassion
- Complacency
How many preventable confined space fatalities occur annually?
How many preventable confined space fatalities occur annually?
What should rescuers NOT attempt to determine in a confined space emergency?
What should rescuers NOT attempt to determine in a confined space emergency?
What percentage of confined space fatalities are attributed to rescuer actions?
What percentage of confined space fatalities are attributed to rescuer actions?
Which of the following best defines a permit-required confined space?
Which of the following best defines a permit-required confined space?
What should TFD companies be trained to operate at during confined space emergencies?
What should TFD companies be trained to operate at during confined space emergencies?
Which of the following pieces of information should be gathered when assessing a scene upon arrival?
Which of the following pieces of information should be gathered when assessing a scene upon arrival?
What is the distance for establishing the Warm Zone from the Hot Zone?
What is the distance for establishing the Warm Zone from the Hot Zone?
Which question is NOT recommended to be asked during the assessment on arrival?
Which question is NOT recommended to be asked during the assessment on arrival?
What is the correct order of the established zones surrounding the collapse?
What is the correct order of the established zones surrounding the collapse?
Which of the following best describes the purpose of establishing a Hot Zone?
Which of the following best describes the purpose of establishing a Hot Zone?
What is the estimated annual range of fatalities caused by cave-ins in the United States?
What is the estimated annual range of fatalities caused by cave-ins in the United States?
Which of the following conditions could disturb the temporary stability of soil during a trench operation?
Which of the following conditions could disturb the temporary stability of soil during a trench operation?
What is the primary reason for fatalities among personnel during trench rescues?
What is the primary reason for fatalities among personnel during trench rescues?
What is defined as a trench?
What is defined as a trench?
What should all TFD companies be trained to do at trench incidents?
What should all TFD companies be trained to do at trench incidents?
What must be ensured before personnel can enter a trench or excavation?
What must be ensured before personnel can enter a trench or excavation?
Which factor is NOT considered a primary hazard during trench rescue operations?
Which factor is NOT considered a primary hazard during trench rescue operations?
What is the minimum depth requirement for an excavation to be classified as such?
What is the minimum depth requirement for an excavation to be classified as such?
What is the primary purpose of gathering information from the reporting party or witnesses in a confined space incident?
What is the primary purpose of gathering information from the reporting party or witnesses in a confined space incident?
Which of the following details is NOT necessary to gather from witnesses or the reporting party during a confined space rescue?
Which of the following details is NOT necessary to gather from witnesses or the reporting party during a confined space rescue?
In the absence of witnesses, what action must the Incident Commander (IC) take?
In the absence of witnesses, what action must the Incident Commander (IC) take?
What guideline level do operations involving entry into confined spaces fall under?
What guideline level do operations involving entry into confined spaces fall under?
Which of the following questions is essential to ask regarding the victims in a confined space?
Which of the following questions is essential to ask regarding the victims in a confined space?
Study Notes
Confined Space Rescue
- There are approximately 67 preventable confined space fatalities annually, with 60% of them being would-be rescuers associated with secondary entries, including 39 professional rescuers.
- Confined space "killers" include complacency, safety shortcuts, and misplaced compassion.
- All TFD companies operate at the awareness functional level at confined space emergencies, and the TFD Rescue Task Force and Hazmat are dispatched to incidents involving bodily entering a confined space.
- A confined space is an enclosed area with limited or restricted means for entry or exit, and not designed for continuous employee occupancy.
- Permit-required confined spaces have hazardous atmospheres, materials that can engulf entrants, or internal configurations that can trap or asphyxiate entrants.
Tactical Considerations
- Information gathering is crucial, including known and potential hazards, number of victims, injuries, and duration of entrapment, type of confined space, and availability of an entry permit.
Trench Rescue
- Cave-ins in the United States result in 60-100 fatalities and 5,000 serious injuries annually, with 60% of fatalities being would-be rescuers.
- Trench rescue operations are dangerous and require special considerations, including proper shoring, hand tools, earth-moving equipment, and specialized resources.
- The TFD policy is to not allow entry into any trench or excavation without proper and approved techniques.
- Cave-ins occur due to unstable soil conditions and improper or inadequate shoring, and personnel must be aware of potential hazards, including additional collapse.
Definitions
- A trench is a narrow excavation made below the surface of the ground, with a depth greater than width, and a width of less than 15 feet.
- An excavation is any depression, hole, earth wall, or trench, man-made or natural, of four feet or greater in depth.
Tactical Considerations for Trench Rescue
- Assessment on arrival involves gathering information from reporting parties or witnesses, including accounting for workers, number of victims, victim condition, and work being done.
- Scene control involves establishing zones, including a Hot Zone (100 feet in diameter from the collapse), Warm Zone (100 feet beyond the Hot Zone), and Crowd Control Line (100 feet beyond the Warm Zone).
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Learn about the importance of following emergency operating guidelines for confined space rescue, including the risks of would-be rescuers and common mistakes to avoid.
