1. Trench Rescue Awareness
NFPA 1670 / 1006

2. CONSIDERATIONS FOR SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS
Terminal Objective
To determine the considerations that make specialized rescue operations differ from traditional fire and rescue work.
Unit One

3. CONSIDERATIONS FOR SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS
“Big Three”
Special people
Special equipment
Special training
Unit One

4. CONSIDERATIONS FOR SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS
Specialized training cycle
Constant circle of evaluation
Your people
Your equipment
Your training
Constant circle of evaluation
continually recruiting, evaluate equipment, frequent training
Unit One

5. CONSIDERATIONS FOR SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS
Service levels
Awareness level
Operational level
Technical level
Instructor level
Unit One

6. TRENCH RESCUE DECISION MAKING
Terminal Objective
To understand the importance of performing a proper risk benefit analysis at the scene of every specialized rescue emergency, and to understand the various reasons that specialized rescue operations fail.
Unit Two

7. TRENCH RESCUE DECISION MAKING
Risk Benefit
Is this a rescue or recovery?
Remembering that most dead people stay dead-dead.
Unit Two

8. TRENCH RESCUE DECISION MAKING
What is the risk to the rescuer?
With all considerations under scrutiny, do they stand a fair chance of succeeding.
What is the benefit to the situation.
No matter what anyone tells you there is no benefit to saving a dead person.
Head vs. Heart.
Remember that compassion kills.
Unit Two

9. TRENCH RESCUE DECISION MAKING
The F.A.I.L.U.R.E. Acronym
(F) The failure to understand or underestimating the environment.
(A) Additional medical implications not considered.
(I) Inadequate rescue skills.
(L) Lack of team work and experience.
(U) Understanding the logistical needs of the operation.
(R) Rescue - recovery not considered.
(E) Equipment not mastered.
Unit Two

10. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
Terminal Objectives:
To understand the necessity for maintain a trained and competent trench rescue team in your community.
To provide an understanding of the OSHA standard on excavations, their enforcement role, and subsequent relationship with emergency service organizations.
Unit Three

11. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
Terminal Objectives:
Explain the reasons for non-compliance with the trench standard based on the cost and installation of traditional sheeting and shoring.
To understand what types of emergencies can occur at a trench site that do not involve a collapse.
Unit Three

12. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
Why do we dig trenches:
Placement of utilities.
Removal of old utilities.
Removal of underground storage tanks.
Foundations of buildings.
Construction of buildings.
Unit Three

13. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
Statistics:
112% higher fatality rate.
1000 to 1500 injuries
150 of theses injuries are permanently disabling.
Many of these injuries are rescuers.
Unit Three

14. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
For the purpose of rescue there are two types of trenches:
Those in which the victim is dead.
Those in which the victim can be saved.
Unit Three

15. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
The frequency of trench collapses depends on the amount of construction:
Housing development construction.
New water, sewer, gas or electrical installation.
Tunnel and major water projects.
Pump stations.
High rise construction.
Unit Three

16. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
OSHA CFR 1926 Subpart P, Excavation:
Important to rescuers for several reasons
First the data and information will give you the information from which you can decide the protective systems.
Information can be universally applied to any given rescue operation by using the “Tool Box” approach.
Unit Three

17. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
OSHA CFR 1926 Subpart P, Excavation:
Important to rescuers for several reasons
Secondly, knowledge of the standard, its requirements, protective systems, and soil classifications will qualify the user as a “Competent Person”.
Unit Three

18. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
Evaluating the history of the standard:
Previously part of “Contract Work Hours Standard Act”
Contents and requirements to meet the standard were confusing which led to inadvertent noncompliance and insufficient protective systems.
Unit Three

19. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
Currant standard still contains about 80% of the original document.
Changes to the original standard:
All criteria are performance-based standards.
A consistent method of soil classification is applied, “Soil Profile”.
Unit Three

20. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
Changes to the original standard:
Flexibility in regards to the development of protective systems.
Fines and penalties have been increased.
Some of these fine were increased “Seven “ times the original amount the standard mandated.
Unit Three

21. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
The standard is divided into several key areas:
Scope and definitions
General Requirements
Protective systems
Appendices
Unit Three

22. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
General requirements:
All trenches must be protected before entries except:
Those made entirely of stable rock.
Those less than five feet in depth, including the height of the spoil pile must be protected.
Unit Three

23. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
Protection:
Anything more than five feet in depth, including the height of the spoil pile must be protected.
Spoil Pile:
Must have two-foot set back for the lip.
Unit Three

24. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
Egress:
Trenches four feet or greater in depth must have a means of egress every twenty-five feet “Ladders”.
Atmospheric:
Trenches four feet or greater in depth must be tested before entry.
Unit Three

25. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
Atmospheric:
Test for Oxygen deficiency.
Toxin's in PPM.
Flammable gases (greater than 10% of the LEL).
Testing must occur as often as necessary to ensure a safe atmosphere.
Unit Three

26. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
Water accumulation:
Employees must be protected from water by protected systems.
Lifeline and harness.
Dewatering.
Unit Three

27. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
Soil:
A competent person must be able to determine the soil classification.
Inspection:
Secondary cave-in potential.
Protective systems failure.
Atmospheric monitoring or control.
Other hazardous conditions.
Unit Three

28. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
Trench Terminology:
Trench:
this means any man made excavation made below surface. Overall depth is greater than it’s width measured at it’s bottom.
Excavation:
Includes a trench that is more than 15 feet wide at it’s base. Overall, wider than it is deep.
Unit Three

29. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
Lip:
360 degrees around the opening.
Toe:
The area where the floor and the walls intersect.
Floor:
Bottom of trench
Walls:
Anything that is vertical or upright.
Ends:
The ends of the trench
Unit Three

30. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
Unit Three

31. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
OSHA and trench rescue:
29 CFR 1926 subpart P (created for industry).
How we fit into this picture is up to the local OSHA enforcement officer.
An employer / employee relationship exists.
Trench rescue operations are part of your job.
Would you normally be dispatched to a trench collapse.
Unit Three

32. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
OSHA and paid vs. volunteers:
Volunteers are exempt from most OSHA regulations.
CFR 1926 may not apply in a given rescue situation, however, consider the following.
Do volunteers have to comply with NFPA?
Do volunteers have to comply with OSHA?
Are you an OSHA state?
Unit Three

33. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
AHJ: (Authority Having Jurisdiction)
Determines compliance with NFPA.
Consensus standards:
What is the “standard of care” ?
What guidelines do similar teams follow?
Do you comply with other OSHA standards?
Unit Three

34. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
How O.S.H.A. views trench rescue operations:
We enter a trench for a different reason (rescue)
O.S.H.A. will get involved if one of the following occurs
There is a civilian or rescuer injury or death
As a matter of a death investigation
When requested by the AHJ
Unit Three

35. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
Noncompliance and trench collapse emergencies:
The cost in time and money
demographic makeup of the trench collapse victim (three piece suit)
victims normally don’t understand the hazards
Unit Three

36. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
Accidents without cave-ins:
Most emergencies in trenches deal with something other than a collapse
Most of the work is done after the trench has been dug
In these cases don’t be lulled to sleep by a protected trench
Unit Three

37. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
Equipment failure and load management:
Backhoe or excavator problems
Hydraulic failures during a lift
Rigging that is improper
Excavators operated by humans in situations where tolerances for maneuvering the load is small
Unit Three

38. INTRODUCTION TO TRENCH RESCUE
Atmospheric concerns:
Hazardous waste buried in the ground
If more than one worker is down and no other accident is apparent it may be atmospheric
Haz Mat team as part of your response
Unit Three

39. SOIL PHYSICS Terminal Objective Enabling Objectives
To understand the role that physical forces associated with soil have in trenching and excavation emergencies.
Enabling Objectives
The student will be able to:
Explain how gravity plays a key role in trench failure
Unit Four

40. SOIL PHYSICS Stuff don’t fall down for nothing
Gravity is that element of physical science that draws everything to the center of the earth.
Unit Four

41. SOIL PHYSICS
Compounding the effects of gravity is hydrostatic pressure
Dry soil 60 / 80 pounds per cubic foot
Add the weight of water and rock, a cubic foot of dirt can be as much as 150 pounds per cu/ft
Unit Four

42. SOIL PHYSICS Unconfined compressive strengths:
The amount of resistance that soil has to pressure is a measurement of UCS
When the UCS is lower than the tension, the soil loses its ability to hold itself up
Unit Four

43. SOIL PHYSICS Active soil: Passive soil:
Has stored energy and is ready to move
This movement can result from the removal or failure of a trench system
Passive soil:
Has no stored energy potential
Unit Four

44. SOIL PHYSICS Physical forces associated with collapse:
Dirt has volume that has mass and weight
One cubic foot of dirt weights between 85 and 150 pounds per cubic foot.
Unit Four

45. SOIL PHYSICS Rotational failure is the most prevalent type of collapse
Most dangerous portion of a trench wall is about one quarter up from the bottom
Unit Four

46. CONDITIONS AND FACTORS THAT LEAD TO COLLAPSE
Terminal Objective
Determine the various factors that can lead to a trench or excavation failure
Unit Five

47. CONDITIONS AND FACTORS THAT LEAD TO COLLAPSE
Water, and the rate that it is absorbed into soil
Free standing time (a ticking bomb)
Varying soil profiles
Previously disturbed soils
Heavy equipment locations and vibration
Unit Five

48. TYPES OF TRENCH COLLAPSES
Terminal Objective
Describe the various types of trench collapses and why they occur
Unit Six

49. TYPES OF TRENCH COLLAPSES
Types of collapses:
Spoil pile slide
Excavated earth too close to the lip
Unit Six

50. TYPES OF TRENCH COLLAPSES
Types of collapses:
Slough failure
The loss of part of the trench wall
Unit Six

51. TYPES OF TRENCH COLLAPSES
Types of collapse:
Shear wall collapse
section of soil that loses it’s ability to stand
Unit Six

52. TYPES OF TRENCH COLLAPSES
Types of collapses:
Toe failure
Slough that occurs at the bottom
Unit Six

53. TYPES OF TRENCH COLLAPSES
Types of collapses:
Bell pier condition
Long term toe failure on both sides
Unit Six

54. TYPES OF TRENCH COLLAPSES
Types of collapses:
Rotational failure
Scoop shaped collapse that starts at the lip and transmits itself to the trench walls.
Unit Six

55. TYPES OF TRENCH COLLAPSES
Types of collapses:
Wedge failure
Occurs with intersecting trenches
Angled section of earth falling from the corner of an intersecting trench
Unit Six

56. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT FOR TRENCH RESCUE OPPERATIONS
Terminal Objective
To describe the proper personal protective equipment used in trench rescue operations
Unit Seven

57. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT FOR TRENCH RESCUE OPPERATIONS
Standard issued equipment:
Jumpsuit
Long sleeve and pant combination
Gloves
Steel toed boots
helmet
Eye protection
Foot protection
Unit Seven

58. TRENCH RESCUE ASSESSMENT
Terminal Objective:
Be able to formulate a strategic plan based on the determination of facts surrounding the trench emergency
Unit Eight

59. TRENCH RESCUE ASSESSMENT
Time of alarm:
What has happened
Why is the excavation work being done
Is the victim (s) completely buried
Is the situation a trench collapse or some other form form of injury in the trench
Unit Eight

60. TRENCH RESCUE ASSESSMENT
Time of alarm:
Will I have access problems for the equipment and rescue personnel
How is the weather, and can I expect it to change if this becomes a long term operation
Unit Eight

61. TRENCH RESCUE ASSESSMENT
Arrival at the scene:
Who is in charge and what has happened
Is there a language barrier
Based on equipment limitations is the collapse within your scope of operations
Unit Eight

62. TRENCH RESCUE ASSESSMENT
Arrival at the scene:
What are the injury problems
What is victim survivability profile
What type of protective system is in place
Unit Eight

63. TRENCH RESCUE ASSESSMENT
During the emergency:
Trench emergencies are very dynamic
Constant evaluation is needed
Stay proactive not reactive
Unit Eight

64. TRENCH RESCUE ASSESSMENT
Factors to consider when looking for buried victims:
Pipe strings
Engineers flag stick
Laser target
The competent person
Grease can
Unit Eight

65. HAZARD CONTROL Terminal Objective:
Understand the various hazard types, categories, and phases of control that will be found at the trench rescue scene
Unit Nine

66. HAZARD CONTROL
Hazard can be easily controlled, and that are within the expertise of the rescuer, need attention before any deployment of your personnel.
Unit Nine

67. HAZARD CONTROL Hazard control categories: Mechanical Chemical Man-made
Electrical
Water
Unit Nine

68. HAZARD CONTROL Hazard control phases: General area Wood cutting
Staging
Logistical support
Rehab
Vehicle parking
Unit Nine

69. HAZARD CONTROL Rescue area: Immediately surrounding the rescue site
Air supply
Panel team
Shoring personnel
Safety officer
Unit Nine

70. Trench Rescue Awareness 1670 / 1006
Any Questions
Trench Rescue Awareness
1670 / 1006