WELLINGTON COUNTY FIRE TRAINING 2013-34LESSON PLAN

OFM curriculum – Confined Space
Component - 2
Section - 34 / Lesson Plan – Confined Space awareness
Preparation date –Feb 2013
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
LEARNING OUTCOME(S):The learner will be able to:
  • Discuss legislation affecting a confined space rescue
  • Identify a confined space according to OH&SA
  • Demonstrate tying of required knots used in confined space
  • Demonstrate anchoring system
  • Demonstrate belay system
  • Demonstrate use of air cart and air monitoring equipment
  • Discuss lock out / tag out procedures

INTRODUCTION: / ESTIMATED TIME:
This lesson provides an overview of the principles associated with a confined space rescue. Content will focus on the role of firefighters at an awareness level. Firefighters will have an opportunity to practice size-up, assessment and scene stabilization. Procedures to identify a confined space will also be covered.
APPLICABLE SECTION 21 GUIDANCE NOTES & SAFETY NOTE
Remember as the T/F you are a supervisor for this work period and will observe and enforce all appropriate health and safety measures for you lesson participants.
GUIDANCE NOTE NAME / SAFETY NOTE
NFPA – 1670 std for technical rescue
OH&SA – confined spce regulations
GN # 6-5 confined space rescue
GN # 6-16 lock-out / tag-out procedures
Be sure to add in any of your dept. SOG’s that apply
PRESENTATION / ESTIMATED TIME:
LESSON OUTLINE / TEACHING AIDS
Confined spaces are considered to be among the top 4 workplace killers. The most common types of confined spaces that emergency workers may be called to include;
  • Tanks / vessels
  • Silos, grain elevators
  • Storage bins and hoppers
  • Utility vaults / pits
  • Sewers
  • Cisterns / wells
  • Storage tanks
Levels of Competencies slide # 3
NFPA 1670 provides for 3 levels of responder when dealing with confined space rescues including;
  1. Awareness
  2. Operations
  3. Technician
What is a confined space ? slide # 4 - 6
OH&SA – definition
A space to which access or egress is restricted and in which, because of its construction, location or contents or the work activity theirin, a hazardous gas, vapour, dust or fume or an oxygen deficient atmosphere may occur. Confined spaces are further identified as a fully or partially enclosed space, and not designed for human occupancy.
Sect 21 – definition
A confined space is an area not designed for human occupancy that has limited means of egress, normally having only one way in or out.
Operational objectives at a confined space rescue slide 7
  1. Size-up and stabilize the scene- what has happened?, is this a confined space?, how many victims?, do we need additional responders?, are there potentially hazardous atmospheres? Is this a rescue or recovery?
NOTE: command post and staging area should be set-up outside of the hot zone
  1. Is this a confined space rescue – does the call meet the definition of a confined space?, are there hazardous situations that may impact the rescue, such as toxic or flammable atmospheres?
  2. Can we communicate with the patient – are we able to assess possible medical condition or method of entrapment without entering the space
  3. Control the site and determine the hazards –air monitoring is key to operating at a confined space rescue. Air monitoring to be done prior to entry by first checking for oxygen levels in the space (see air monitoring section for further info), are mechanical or electrical hazards present that need to be isolated before work can begin (see lock-out / tag-out)
  4. When possible perform non-entry rescue
BEGIN THE CREW EXERCISE – FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON SLIDE 8
Managing a confined space emergency slide # 15 – 19
Assess the environment
  • Are there any hazards in the surrounding area that may pose a risk –hazards may include: live electrical or mechanical devices, extreme temps, possibility of cave-ins or unstable support members, standing water or other liquids, unstable products (silage),time of day (will lighting be required), assess atmosphere
Assess the patient
  • Can injuries and status of the patient be determined
  • How many patients are there
  • Is this a rescue or recovery – responders should not be put at risk if there is little chance of a successful recovery
  • Can the patient assist in their own rescue – are they conscious and alert
  • Will the location of the patient allow for communication
  • Is this an industrial work site with available ite safety plans and hazardous products info or a private property such as a farm that may not be equipped with this type of valuable info.
  • Pass on patient info to EMS if able to do so
Assess equipment
  • Designate a staging area, prepare and organize all equipment
  • Refer to equipment section for additional info
Assess personnel
  • Know the skills of each responder and assign tasks accordingly
  • Successful rescues will require teamwork
  • Do you have sufficient number of rescuers to safely perform the rescue. Mutul-aid should be called early
Equipment and PPE
Confined space rescues will require most of the following;
  • Gas monitoring equip. – oxygen levels must first be checked in a confined space because most meters will not give accurate combustable / explosive limit readings in an oxygen deficient atmosphere. Readings may assist in determing the type of PPE required, safety of rescuers to enter, viability of victims. Space should be continually monitored.
  • Communication equip. – portable radios may not be a reliable comm’s device when the rescuer has entered a confined space. Hard line comm’s may need to be utilized
  • SCBA – traditional SCBA may not work for confined space due to restrictive entrances and exits. Supplied air systems may be utilized
  • Harness – rescuers shouls at all times be wearing a class 3 rescue harness and tethered to the outside of the confined space
  • Ropes and accessories – various ropes and hardware to create belay and haul systems should be in place before rescuer enters the space
  • Portable fan – a supply of fresh air may aid in the patients condition and decrease the hazardous atmosphere. Electric fans should be used whenever possible to avoid CO exhaust entering the space from gas powered units
  • Flashlights – hand held lights or scene lights may be used however ensure that lights entering the space are intrinsically safe
  • Lock out / tag out equip. – ensure all souces of energy have been removed or isolated prior to entry
/ Ask learners for examples of confined spaces in your response area or examples of calls they may have attended that involved confined spaces
Show GN # 6 - 5
Discuss who operates at what level in your own dept. Who is at the “tech” level?
Functions of each level included on slide
Establish command and establish a “hot zone” as soon as possible fro protection of firefighters and by-standers
Exercises should take 20 min
Have learners discuss what they feel may be an environmental hazard
Important note: beofre the use of portable radios, flashlights, fans etc…ensure they are intrinsically safe to avoid problems in flammable / combustable atmospheres
Demonstrate operation of air-cart. Ensure all learners are familiar with the functions of the cart
Demo harness and correct donn and doff procedure
Demo use of rope and its use for belay and haul systems. Discuss dept. rope equipoment availablitiy
Show GN # 6-16
SUMMARY: / TEACHING AIDS
ASSIGNMENT:
All learners shall;
  • Demo use of air cart
  • Demo donn and doff of rescue harness
  • Demo use of air monitoring equip
  • Demo knowledge of tying knots including haul system and belay
  • Participate in group exercise during presentation

REFERENCE MATERIALS: / TRAINING AIDS REQUIRED:
IFSTA 5 - chapter 8
OFM FF curriculum T/F Guide comp 2 sect 34
MOL sect 21 guidance notes
OH&SA
Puslinch Fire Rescue confined space presentation / Computer and projector
Con space equipment including harness’, air cart, monitors, rope and rope hardware, portables, fans

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