I. Overview

This purpose of this document is to provide operational and safety guidelines for technical rescue and suppression resources during all phases of confined space entry and rescue.

II. Definitions

Confined Space - Any space which a person(s) can enter which is not intended for continual occupancy, has limited means of access and egress and has or has the potential to have a hazardous atmosphere or contents that may engulf or asphyxiate persons. A space that by its physical construction is such that a person might be trapped or asphyxiated.

Attendant - Rescue team member that remains just outside the confined space who is responsible for maintaining the safety of and communications with the interior team. The attendant will maintain accountability of personnel within the space and shall limit access into the space to authorized personnel.

III. Purpose

To provide guidelines during entry and rescue operations in a confined space as defined by CAL OSHA Title 8 CCR Article 108. ("Confined Space Regulations", sections 5156, 5157 and 5158).

IV. Resource Requirements

A. In District Request:

Closest Engine

Squad 49

Closest Medic Unit

Chief Officer

B. If the first arriving resource determines that there is an actual specialized / technical rescue, off duty personnel may be requested as needed.

C. Out of District Request

Shall be screened by a chief officer (or designee) to gather information about the request. The chief officer will establish the level of the response based on the type of request and the resources available at the incident scene.

V. Scene Preparation

The first due company officer will assume command and assess the following:

A. Type of space.

B. Any storage hazard(s).

C. Locate a responsible party.

D. Determine the need for an entry permit.

E. Determine the number of victims.

F. Obtain blue prints or maps of the site.

G. Determine mechanism of the entrapment and injury.

H. Determine if the incident is a rescue or a recovery.

I. Determine number and location of entry points.

J. Secure energy sources and identify chemical hazards.

K. Request additional resources as needed.

L. Assign and start permit work sheet.

VI. Pre-Entry Operations

A. Establish a limited Access Zone. This area is limited to emergency personnel only.

B. Utilities providing power to the confined space will be LOCKED OUT AND TAGGED prior to entry. A reliable sentry will be placed if power can not be locked out.

C. Equipment / Processes: All equipment related to the confined space shall be shut down unless the shut down would create a greater hazard. All manufacturing processes shall be secured by the same method as the utilities.

D. Product / Fluid Flows: If the confined space contains product or fluid, attempts to safely lower or remove these materials must be made prior to entry into the space. Control valves shall be secured by the same method as for utilities.

E. Access / Egress: If practical, all openings to the confined space should be opened to facilitate ventilation, lighting and route of access and egress. All exits should be clearly marked with tape or paint. If conditions change and become hazardous the team may be required to exit the space. In an emergency situation the attendant shall sound the evacuation signal. This will be an audio and radio signal as required by Standard Operating Procedure # 303. All personnel on the incident must be accounted for.

F. Fire Suppression: Secure all sources of ignition. When an ignition hazard exists;

1. Use intrinsically safe equipment and lighting.

2. Use non-ferrous rigging.

3. Ground static producing equipment to prevent static arc.

G. Noise: Attempts should be made to reduce unnecessary noise. Hearing protection should be provided as needed.

H. Ventilation: Begin ventilation as soon as possible. Ventilation is mandatory prior to entry into the space unless ventilation creates a more hazardous environment.

I. Stability: Every effort shall be made to assure stability of the confined space.

J. Product Identification: Efforts shall be made to evaluate hazards in and around the confined space. The responsible party should be questioned in as much detail as possible. MSDS's should be requested.

VII. Atmospheric Testing

A. Atmospheric monitoring shall occur prior to and during all entries into the confined space. It should be stressed that the lack of an alarm level dose does not eliminate the requirement for respiratory protection.

B. Atmospheric monitoring should be accomplished at all levels of the space to reduce the risk of stratification of gases.

C. All atmospheres shall be tested for:

1. Oxygen levels (enriched and deficient).

2. Toxicity.

3. Flammability.

D. The following levels shall be considered as immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH). If one or more of these hazard levels exist, entry team may be required to exit the space until corrections are made.

1. Oxygen < 19.5% or >23.5%.

2. Flammability at or above 10% of the "LEL".

3. Toxicity as measured by the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL).

E. All atmospheric readings shall be recorded on an incident work sheet no less than every 15 minutes.

F. If at any time atmospheric monitoring indicates that the space is unsafe, the entry team may be required to exit the space until atmospheric conditions can be corrected to safe parameters.

VIII. Respiratory Protection

A. SCBA: There is a high possibility that a hazardous atmospheric condition may exist in the confined space. All personnel must wear respiratory protection appropriate for the potential worst atmospheric condition. While SCBA are in use the mask must be in place. Entry shall be limited to no more that one half of the air available with an additional 5 minute escape margin. PAD units shall be activated prior to entry.

B. SABA: If the amount of air needed exceeds the volume available in a SCBA, supplied air units may be utilized. Entry teams must be monitored for fatigue due to the extended time potential for entry. Entry teams should be rotated to prevent fatigue. Entry time should be limited to 30 minutes or less.

1. If the respiratory protection must be removed to enter the space the space may not be entered.

2. In the event of a problem with the respiratory protection system or communication lines, the entry team must exit.

C. MA Cartridge Filters: If air monitoring has determined that the atmosphere is within acceptable limits and that no potential exists for conditions to change, approved cartridge filtration may be utilized. Air monitoring standards will still apply.

IX. Personal Protective Equipment

The following protective equipment shall be used as a minimum on all entries.

A. Approved respiratory protection.

B. Rescue helmet.

C. Approved eye protection.

D. Wildland protective clothing.

E. Nomex hood.

F. Full body harness.

G. Gloves.

H. 3 Light sources.

I. PAD unit.

J. Radio or other approved communications.

K. Safety line.

X. Entry

A. The entry team may enter only after the best method for access and egress has been determined, a permit has been started, and all prescribed safety precautions are met.

B. Entry decisions shall be made based on the known locations of the victim(s), safety of the opening, atmospheric conditions and ease of recovery.

C. Alternate rescue plans shall be developed. Attempts at facilitating self rescue of victims shall be made if possible.

D. Each team member shall be logged on the incident confined space entry permit with their entry and exit times. The attendant shall keep the Rescue Group Supervisor or Incident Commander informed. Each team member shall be briefed as to the specific rules for the rescue and the emergency plan.

E. Entry teams shall be limited to 30 minutes in the space at a time.

F. One back up team shall be available for each team in the space.

G. A safety line shall be used by each team in the space. The safety line will be secured outside the space and may be used as an alternate means of communication:

1 pull = O K

2 pulls = A DVANCE

3 pulls = T AKE UP

4 pulls = H ELP

H. Fall protection utilizing a winch or rope system shall be used any time a vertical drop of more than 5' will be encountered by the entry team.

I. Once inside the space:

1. Assure adequate interior team communications, inside and outside the space.

2. The attendant will conduct radio checks every two minutes during periods of silence.

3. Entry teams shall mark their movement and egress.

4. The team may not separate.

5. The team shall remain aware of elevation differences and unstable surroundings.

J. Once the victim(s) is located:

1. Determine if this is a rescue or recovery.

2. Determine if the victim can utilize respiratory protection.

3. Determine if the victim can be moved with equipment and personnel in the space.

4. Determine if specialized equipment is needed.

5. Communicate your situation and action plan to the attendant.

K. Once the victim(s) is packaged and is in the process of being extricated from the space, assure that the following guidelines are followed:

1. If possible, entry team members shall place themselves on the outside of the exit while moving the victim through the exit. If the entry team can not be placed outside the exit assure the following:

a. When the move is made, air and communications line must be protected.

b. The move should be made as quickly and as smoothly as possible. Interior and exterior teams must coordinate the move in order to limit the time that the exit is blocked.

2. Once the victim(s) is removed, remove all equipment and personnel from the space.

XI. Termination

A. Account for all personnel on the incident.

B. Inventory and replace all equipment. Damaged or unfit equipment shall be repaired or reported and removed from service.

C. Have the contractor or responsible party seal the entry points to the confined space until an investigation can be completed.

D. Document and critique the incident.

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