Northern Nevada Fire and Rescue Academy

1
Northern Nevada Fire and Rescue Academy

• Rescue Awareness

2
Trench Rescue Awareness
3
NFPA 1670 - 1999 Objectives

• Size up of existing and potential conditions
• Identification of needed resources
• Development and implementation of procedures for
  a trench rescue (Agency)
• Procedures for site control and scene management
• Recognition of general hazards with trenches

4

• Recognition of typical trench cave ins and
  potential for secondary collapse
• Implementation of procedures for making a rapid,
  non-entry extrication of minimally injured
  victim(s)
• Recognition of the unique hazards posed by the
  weight of soil and its associated entrapping
  characteristics.

5
The Problem

• Epidemiology Research by NIOSH
• 1980 - 1989
• 606 fatal injuries due to trench collapses
• 572 separate incidents

6
Trench

• Narrow excavation in relation to its length made
  below the surface of the ground. The width is
  not greater than 15 feet. It is usually deeper
  than it is wide.

7
Excavation

• A man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in
  an earth surface formed by earth removal.
  Usually wider than it is deep.

8
Spoil Pile
Should be at least 2 feet away
Trench
9
Types of Collapses

• Tension cracks
• Sliding
• Toppling
• Subsidence and bulging
• Bottom heaving
• Boiling (from high water tables)

10
Just How Heavy is Dirt?

• Cubic yard
• 3,800 pounds
• Cubic foot
• 140 pounds

11
Shoring Required if Trench is Over 4 Feet Deep
12
What People Die From

• Asphyxiation
• Suffocation from weight of the dirt
• Anoxia
• Trauma

13
Dont Forget the Leading Cause of Death is
still...

• DYING!

14
First In Crews Must

• Assure response of Technical Team
• Establish command
• Isolate the area and deny entry
• Eliminate ground vibrations
• Gather information from workers, bystanders, or
  other sources
• Lay down edge protection

15
Information to Discover

• What happened
• What kind of work was being done
• Number of victims
• Obtain a blueprint from foreman
• What was the last known location of victim
• Any other hazards water?
• How long ago
• What is covering the victim

16
Things Not To Do

• Enter the trench
• Allow workers or bystanders to attempt a rescue
• Gather around the hole and look in

17
Potential Hazards Include...
18
Potential Resources

• Fire Department Trench Rescue Team
• Utility Companies
• Construction Companies
• OSHA

19
Some Equipment Needs

• Shoring Materials
• 1-1/4 plywood
• 4 x 4 or 4 x 6 posts
• 2 x 12 planks
• Screw jacks or Air shores
• Air monitoring equipment
• Construction tools

20
What the Techs Will Do

• Shore the sides of the trench
• Enter the trench
• Excavate the trench
• Mechanical
• Mongo Labor
• Stabilize the patient
• Extricate the patient

21
Don't Try This At Home