PSFA Trench Rescue

PSFA Trench Rescue Relevant Reference Material Introduction Why do trench accidents occur?? -Complacency -Shortcutting of safety- -Lack of recognition of- -Failure to recognize- -Lack of- -“Pushing” a bad situation

Anatomy of a Trench -Trench-Trenches are narrow ______made below the surface of the ground. In general, the depth is greater than the width. However, the width of a trench is not greater than ___ feet. An excavation is also considered to be a trench -In reality, an open grave waiting for an occupant Inherent trench problems Natural and man made forces began acting immediately to close a trench once its been created These forces overcome the strength of the soil composition and cause the trench to eventually collapse

Dirt Dynamics -1 cubic foot of dirt weighs ___ lbs -1 cubic yard of dirt weighs 2,700-3,500 lbs -1 cubic foot of dirt will fill ____ 1 gallon buckets -1 cubic yard of dirt will fill _____ 1 gallon buckets

Soil Types -Type ___-Most stable:clay, silty clay and hardpan (resists penetration) No soil is type A if it is fissured, is subject to vibration of any type, has previously been disturbed or has seeping water -Type ___-Medium stability:silt, sandy loam, medium clay and unstable dry rock, previously disturbed soils unless otherwise classified as Type C. Soils that meet the requirements of Type A soil but are fissured or subject to vibration Soil Types continued:

Soil Effects on Victim Traumatic Asphyxiation - – Soil – Causes Impact crushes the victim: – Breaking – Causing internal – Causing soft Victim Survival Profile Time is the biggest factor -8-10 min.’s for response -6-10 min.’s for initial assessment -18” of dirt = 2500-3500 pounds -Hazard Risk Assessment Profile needs to be considered Types of Trench Accidents Slough In (cave in) Side wall shear Trench Terminology Padding the Lip Trench Terms Trench Terms Terms Trench Terms Making the Trench Safe -Three ways to “safe” a trench: – 1.-Slope – 2.- – 3.- Sloping the angle of repose and benching require backhoes as well as additional manpower. Shoring operations require well trained coordinated rescuers Shoring Basics Shoring Types Shoring Types Shoring Types Shielding Shoring Operations -Shores should be located ____-______from the floor and the lip of the trench -Shores should be no more than ____” apart vertically -Placement of the first shore should be from the ______of the trench using hydraulic/pneumatic shoring (shores should not be placed directly above the ______) Pneumatic Shoring Order -First shore should be placed in the ______of the upright -Second shore is placed in the ______of the upright -Third shore is paced in the ______of the upright – shores are lowered by lowering lines directed by the shoring officer then “shot” Shooting Shores After shore is lowered and is in place (level), the following commands are to be given by shoring officer: – “Prepare to Shoot” – “Shoot” – Pneumatic shores are shot at ______psi and released at ______psi Timbering -The first shore is placed at the ____ of the upright and requires the rescuer to enter the trench on a ladder -The second shore or middle shore is placed in the ______of the upright, again forcing rescuer further in the trench on a ladder -Last shore is placed on the ______of the trench above trench floor

Hazard Control -Hazards may include: – Electrical – Ruptured – Broken – Workers – – Falling – O2

Vibration from: – Operating – Nearby – Responding

Rescue Operations Safety First -Appropriate PPE: – Dress for success, right gear should include head, hand, foot, eye, ear and respiratory protection as appropriate. -Make the general area safe: – Establish a ______, ______and ______zone

Safe the General Area First arriving apparatus: – Stops and is turned off no less than _____ from the dispatched location. This becomes the ______zone – Establish command and designate a ______area for other other responders with equipment/apparatus. – Assign a- Cold/Hot Zone Cold Zone Staging should exceed ______’or more from trench incident site Hot Zone Area: – Should extend _____’ in all directions around the site – Use fire line tape, rope, etc. to mark these zones Outer Circle Check Restrict entry to site Eliminate sources of vibration, stop and shut down construction equipment Identify witnesses to the accident if any Identify job foreman Begin to establish incident perimeters

Inner Circle Check Approach site from end of trench Identify victim location (if possible) using witnesses, location of trench failure, surveyors markers etc. Identify number of- Establish patient/victim condition if possible Making the Rescue Scene Safe

Inner Circle Check How is the patient ______? -totally buried, if so, where?? -trapped by utilities Where??? – Don’t forget to consider Hazard Risk Assessment Profile – Direct non trapped workers out of trench

Establish full command structure Operations: 4 Team Approach 1.- 2.- 3.- 4.-

Excavation Coordinates operation for ______(if needed) Initiates/completes ______safety Removes spoil pile, reduce angle of ______

Monitoring Monitors trench during entire rescue operation Establishes ______in all levels of trench Establishes back-up ventilation in case of primary ventilation failure

Shoring Shores ______with pneumatic, hydraulic, timber shoring Establishes cutting table if needed Establishes ______supply for pneumatics with back up supply Under control of a shoring officer Rescue Prepares and executes ______procedures Patient/victim packaging Patient/victim removal Rope system if needed (4:1, 5:1) A-Frame/gin pole if needed

Rescue Disentanglement procedures: -Remove dirt/soil away from victim, accomplished by hand digging and buckets -Clear the ______and ______if victim caught in collapse in this position -Secure patient using acceptable devices (LBB, LSP, Reeves, Stokes, Harnesses)

Rescue Be prepared for vertical extrication: – Consider ______(engine co. task) construction away from hot zone and radio for it when ready – Mechanical advantage system needed – Shoring position may be impede vertical ______removal

Summary