TRENCH RESCUE OPERATIONS/AWARENESS LEVEL WIKIPEDIA, TRENCH RESCUE IS A SPECIALIZED FORM OF RESCUE, A SUBSET OF CONFINED SPACE RESCUE. TRENCH RESCUE INVOLVES SHORING UP THE SIDES OF A TRENCH, AND DIGGING A TRAPPED WORKER OUT OF A COLLAPSED DITCH. TRENCH RESCUE IS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS RESCUE OPERATIONS TO COMPLETE.

OBJECTIVES -Recognize hazardous trench situations -Understand risk/benefit analysis in trench rescue (rescue vs. recovery) -Insure site safety and perimeter control -Resources/Equipment knowledge -Be able to initiate trench rescue actions

PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CLASS IS TO HELP YOU DEAL WITH A TRENCH COLLAPSE AS AN “AWARENESS & OPERATIONS LEVEL RESPONDER”, AS REQUIRED BY WASHINGTON STATE LAW. THIS CLASS WILL MEET THE STANDARDS ESTABLISHED IN NFPA 1670 FOR THE AWARENESS & OPERATIONS LEVEL RESPONDER

WHAT IS A TRENCH???

TRENCH VS. EXCAVATION Trench: A trench is defined as an excavation in the ground deeper than it is wide, but not wider than 15’ at the base. Excavation: Is wider than it is deep and more than 15’ wide.

RISK/BENEFIT ANALYSIS (RESCUE OR RECOVERY) -1 cubic foot of soil weighs Lbs -18” of soil on top of a human totals Lbs -Victims buried above the waist will asphyxiate rapidly -RECOGNIZE WHEN THERE IS NO CHANCE FOR RESCUE!!!

INITIAL TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS ON SCENE--- SIZE-UP/ESTABLISH COMMAND First arriving company officer should establish Command and initiate a size-up of the situation The first-in company should spot the apparatus at least 100’ from the location of the trench failure. Establish staging at least 300’ from the scene Complete a risk benefit analysis – RESCUE mode Call for resources – “Trench Rescue Response” Complete lock out/tag out, as applicable (remember to assess the trench from the ends)

INITIAL COMPANY OPERATIONS -Make patient contact (again from the end of the trench) -place ladder/ladders -If patient is capable, throw him/her a shovel -secure scene -shut off all equipment -remove all people from the scene -tape off scene (at least 100’) -Gain information -Purpose of the trench -Number of victims -Potential hazards

INITIAL COMPANY OPERATION (CONTINUED) -Determine exactly what has happened -Why were they digging (new vs. old trench) -What time was the collapse -How many patients -Last known location -Protect the patient (If enough personnel, assign someone to stay with the patient, if not, mark patient location) -Uncover the patient to their waist -Provide them with head and eye protection -Provide them with a tool to dig -Consider oxygen

SAFETY OSHA trench shoring regulations state: Trench 4’ deep must have ladders every 25’ Spoil pile not less than 1’ from lip Trench greater than 5’ deep, spoil pile more than 2’ from lip Trench greater than 4’ must have protection for workers

TOOLS AND LOCATION (LADDER 42) REAR DRIVERS SIDETAILBOARD

TOOLS AND LOCATION (CONTINUED) BOX #1CONTENTS

TOOLS AND LOCATION (CONTINUED) BOX #2CONTENTS

TOOLS AND LOCATION (CONTINUED) DEAD-MAN/MANIFOLDPANEL ROPES/BOLTS

TOOLS AND LOCATION (CONTINUED) SPOT SHORES HAMMERS/NAILS/ TOOL BELTS/TAPE MEASURES

BUILDING A STRUT FEET/EXTENSION/STRUT BUILT WITH ROPES AND AIR LINE ATTACHED

DEAD-MAN AND MANIFOLD CONNECTIONS BOTTLE/MANIFOLD/HOSE DEAD-MAN/HOSE (TO STRUT) CONNECTED TO STRUT (THROW OF STRUT IS INDICATED BY TWO YELLOW LINES)

ASSEMBLED PANEL (STRONGBACK, PANEL, BOLTS, ROPE)

GOOD IDEA/BAD IDEA?

RESCUE? (REMEMBER IT’S A CAT, NOT A DOG)

SAFETY-SAFETY- SAFETY EVERYONE GOES HOME!!!!

3rd Qtr Trench Rescue Manipulative Outline (Link to document)(Link to document) Following the classroom section, the students shall become familiar with the following Equipment: Deadman and manifold -location -assembly -operation Struts -location -assembly -operation Panels/strongbacks, spot shores/skip shores, ground pads, whalers -location -assembly -placement -proper use/limitations Ladders -uses -placement -limitations