617 CONFINED SPACE PROCEDURES 020122.pdf

CLEARWATER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE S.O.P. 617 SUBJECT: Confined Space Procedures for First Responders PAGE...

CLEARWATER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE S.O.P. 617 SUBJECT: Confined Space Procedures for First Responders PAGE 1 of 4 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: Operations Suppression APPROVED BY: EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/06/08 REVISION DATE: REVIEWED DATE: 02/01/22 SIGNATURE ON FILE, APPROVED TO FORM THIS DATE BY SCOTT EHLERS, FIRE CHIEF, FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT FORMS REQUIRED: NOTE: Current forms are located on the Department’s SharePoint. PURPOSE: To provide guidelines and procedures for first responders to recognize identify and effectively prepare for confined space operations. Due to the potential hazards involved in a confined space operation, the procedures outlined in this SOP must be followed to ensure the safety of all emergency personnel and the victim(s). 617.1 Scope  These guidelines are designed to provide the basic minimum mandatory safe practices and procedures for all Fire Department first responder personnel to follow during the initial phases of confined space entry and rescue operations. Under no circumstance shall any part of any first responder enter the confined space for any reason. 617.2 Definition Confined Space — A space that has one or more of the following characteristics: Has limited or restricted means of entry or exit Is not designed for continuous human occupancy Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere Contains a material that has the potential for engulfment or entrapment 617.3 Possible Confined space/sites The following areas are some examples that may present a potentially hazardous situation and should be treated as a confined space: Manholes / Utility vaults Tunnels Sewer systems, storm/sanitary Wells/cisterns Trench/excavations Open pits SUBJECT: Conf ined Space EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/06/08 S.O.P. 617 Procedures For First Responders REVISION DATE: CATEGORY: Operations SUBCATEGORY: Suppression PAGE 2 OF 4 Sump pits/sump rooms Silos Storage bins Hoppers Brewer vats Septic tanks Caves/ mines Tank cars Reaction vessels Industrial smoke stacks/chimneys/boilers Collapsed structures- below grade basements Cold storage facilities Large industrial transformers Ship holds Auto repair lift pits Water treatment plants- carbon tanks, diffusers Sanitary sewer pumping station Blind elevator shafts/ elevator pits 617.4 Possible Hazards Each confined space has its own specific problems and hazards. In order to protect personnel from being injured or killed they must be well trained and understand the hazards they encounter. The hazards can be categorized into two types Atmospheric hazards and Physical/Mechanical hazards. Atmospheric Hazards - Atmospheric hazards are not easily seen, smelled, heard or felt and can represent deadly risks to those who must work around or enter confined spaces. Rescuers must realize that a 1% drop in oxygen indicates an increase of 10,000 PPM of another, potentially lethal substance.  Oxygen Deficient or Enriched - Any atmosphere containing less than 19.5 percent oxygen by volume is considered oxygen deficient. Any atmosphere containing more than 23.5 percent oxygen by volume is considered oxygen enriched.  Flammable/Combustible Atmosphere - OSHA regulations state that a flammable/combustible atmosphere is present when flammable gas, vapor or mist is present in excess of 10 percent of the lower flammable limits (LFL) or the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL). SUBJECT: Conf ined Space EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/06/08 S.O.P. 617 Procedures For First Responders REVISION DATE: CATEGORY: Operations SUBCATEGORY: Suppression PAGE 3 OF 4  Toxic Atmospheres - A substance is considered toxic if the concentrate or dose exceeds the permissible exposure limit as published in Subpart G, Occupational Health and Environmental Control, or in Subpart Z, Toxic and Hazardous Substances. Each toxic substance has its own unique guidelines and is too numerous to list. Physical/Mechanical Hazards - The type of physical/mechanical hazard will depend on the specific space encountered and its primary function. The following are examples of the physical and/or mechanical hazards that may be present in or around a confined space:  Electrical  High Water  Steam  Collapse  Smoke/fire  Darkness  Animals, Insects, Reptiles  Moving parts/operating machinery  Flowing product/Engulfment  Unstable contents  Slippery surfaces  Tapered floors/ Converging walls  Hypothermia  Thermal  High Noise Levels  Vibrations  Exposure to Raw Sewage/ Chemicals  Limitations of Rescuers, Skills, Equipment 617.5 First Responder Responsibilities Once a first responder recognizes that a potential confined space situation exists, they shall take the following actions: 1. Establish Command 2. Size-up the situation  Recognize that a confined space emergency exists.  Activate the Technical Rescue Team, Request for a Technical Rescue Upgrade through Dispatch  Gather information from on-site contacts such as a Supervisor, responsible party and or witness: o Confined space permit o Number and location of victims o Type of confined space o On site preplans SUBJECT: Conf ined Space EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/06/08 S.O.P. 617 Procedures For First Responders REVISION DATE: CATEGORY: Operations SUBCATEGORY: Suppression PAGE 4 OF 4  Determine nature of the emergency: o Entrapment o Lost or unaccounted for person o Injured and/or medical problem o Body recovery 3. Establish site control and scene management  Isolate the space and deny entry  Establish hot zone of 150 feet in diameter  Establish staging area for incoming units.  Position non-TRT apparatus outside of the hot zone.  Maintain access for the TRT apparatus.  Control utilities that negatively affect victim (i.e. leaking gas, flowing water or product, operating machinery, etc.).  Request and/or re-confirm resources - As every emergency is different, the situation will dictate the need for additional resources. Resources may include but are not limited to: o Technical Rescue Team o Utility company o Hazardous materials team  Specialized equipment  Research capabilities  Special PPE  Decontamination equipment if necessary o Police department assistance  Recognize and identify hazards o Hazardous or potential hazardous atmospheres. o Hazardous materials. o Temperature extremes. o Physical and mechanical hazards.  Establish communications with victim(s) o Communications should only be attempted if it can be done without entering the space. o All personnel approaching the entrance to the space to make contact shall don all PPE including SCBA. o Under no circumstance shall any part of the first responder enter the confined space for any reason.  Consolidate all information and prepare to give a comprehensive report to the incoming Technical Rescue Team Leader. REFERENCES:  OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146  http://www.osha.gov/index.html