Road Traffic Accident Procedures (7) Service Delivery 2

RTA (7) Glass Management.

Glass management All glass must be managed at every RTA Once managed, vehicle glazing cannot cause problems such as entering open wounds or breaking in an unexpected or uncontrolled manner.

Types of glazing Safety glass (laminated) Tempered glass (toughened) Perspex (plastic).

Management methods Three main approaches; Removal (can prove difficult) Controlled breaking (best method) Cutting (bonded screens).

Laminated glass Usually bonded onto shell Requires special removal techniques if bonded May still use rubber extrusion fittings Glass dust may present a hazard for rescuers and casualty.

Laminated glass GLASS LAYER PLASTIC LAYER GLASS LAYER.

Laminated glass Found in more modern vehicles Usually the windscreen or rear screen Consists of a plastic film in between two layers of glass Will break into long slivers of glass.

Laminated glass.

Laminated glass (cutting).

Toughened glass Usually side and rear windows Windscreens in older vehicles Shatters into thousands of pieces May remain in frame giving a frosted appearance.

Toughened glass

Usually located in rubber extrusion strip Extrusion strip normally has 3 channels Glass Bodywork Locking strip.

Rubber extrusion K Glazing Bodywork. Locking strip

Perspex Although not common the use of this and similar materials is increasing as the trend towards occupant security develops and may be found on; Vision panels Driver protection Passenger transport vehicles.

Removal Remove any locking strips Cut the rubber with sharp blade Peel back rubber strip Remove glass.

Controlled breaking Wind down any available windows, consider battery disconnection Leave 50mm approx showing and cover Ensure casualty is well protected Initially break glazing furthest from casualty Remove any glass from immediate area.

Summary In addition to Casualty Care, which has its own aims and learning outcomes, the following topics have now been covered in the RTA procedure sessions;

Emergency service roles Hand, air and hydraulic tools Scene safety Team approach Vehicle construction Stabilisation techniques Glass management.

Confirmation Learning Outcomes State the respective roles of the emergency services at a Road Traffic Accident (RTA) Describe the types of air and hand tools available Describe the types of hydraulic tools available continued… Assessments will be based on these lessons and corresponding study note

Understand the procedures for using rescue tools Be aware of the safety considerations when using rescue tools State the procedures adopted to achieve scene safety Describe the principles and procedures of the ‘Team Approach’ method continued…

List the basic components of vehicle construction Understand the principles of stabilisation Be aware of options and techniques of space creation. Understand the principles of glass management

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