FINAL GRA Rescue From Sewers

8/17/2019 FINAL GRA Rescue From Sewers

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Operational Guidance

GRA 4.3

Incidents involving transport

systems – Air

Fire and Rescue Authorities

GRA 2.1.1

Rescue from sewers


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Generic Risk Assessment 2.1.1

Rescue from sewers

April 2013

London: TSO


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Published with the permission of the Department for Communities and Local Government on behalf of

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3

The Generic Risk Assessments in this series only apply to England

Contents

SECTION 1


Rescues from sewers 5

Scope 5

Significant hazards and risks 5

Falls from height 6Internal conditions 6

Sluice gates/wet wells 7

Atmospheric conditions 7

Oxygen deficient atmosphere 7

Biological and chemical hazards 7

Manual handling 8

Fatigue 8

Weather conditions 8

Communications 9

Moral pressure 9

Key control measures 9

Planning 9

Pre-determined response attendance 11

Competance and training 11

The provision and use of equipment 13

Approach/cordons 13

Access/egress 13

Command and control 13

Communications 14

Operational considerations 14

Safety Officer(s) 15

Personal protective equipment 16

Precautions to prevent contamination 16


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Generic Risk Assessment 2.1.1 – Rescue from sewers4

Crew welfare 16

Decontamination 17

Post incident 17

Technical references 18

SECTION 2Summary of Generic Risk Assessment 2.1.1

Rescues from sewers 19


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Generic Risk Assessment 2.1.1 – Rescue from sewers 5

SECTION 1


Rescues from sewers

Scope

This generic risk assessment examines the hazards, risks and controls to fire and rescue

personnel, personnel of other agencies and members of the public when undertaking

rescue activities in sewers.

Generic Risk Assessment 2.1 Rescues from confined spaces consists of four intrinsicassessments that deal with specific activities involving rescues from confined spaces:

• 2.1.1 sewers

• 2.1.2 silos

• 2.1.3 trenches/pits

• 2.1.4 collapsed structures.

This assessment examines only those hazards, risks and controls that are specific

to incidents involving rescues from sewers and similar underground water systems. Although this generic risk assessment focuses on rescues from sewers its contents are

applicable to rescues from any underground pipe work eg dry docks, fresh water trunk

mains, underground reservoirs, sewage pumping stations (known in the industry as wet

wells) and sewers under construction. It should be read in the context of Generic Risk

Assessment 2.1 Rescues from confined spaces that provides information relating to Fire

and Rescue Authorities work in confined spaces.

Fire and Rescue Authorities must conduct their own assessments and produce their

own safe systems of work (which include standard operating procedures, training

programmes, provision of equipment, levels of response etc) within the context

of integrated risk management plans, local conditions, knowledge and existing

organisational arrangements.

Significant hazards and risks

‘Sewer’ is a generic term for pipework, usually sub-surface, that carries foul water ie

domestic, industrial and other waste. The size of sewers can range from a small 150mm

pipe from households, to a tunnel large enough for a person to stand erect in. Many


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sewers also carry surface water from roads but in the last 20 years a twin pipe system

has been used to ensure that sewerage works are not overloaded during periods of heavy

rain.

To carry out a rescue from a sewer it may be necessary to effect an entry. In addition to

those hazards identified in Generic Risk Assessment 2.1 Rescues from confined spaces,

personnel entering sewers may be at risk of serious injury from the following hazards thatare specific to rescues from sewers:

Types of rescue incidents associated with sewers include:

• falls from internal ladders – on to platforms or projections

• falls from external surface – to the base of the sewer or an intermediate level

• entrapment in the product – the casualty may be partially or fully submerged

• entrapment in sewer from collapse or entrapped in machinery or pumping

equipment

• casualty overcome by fumes/hazardous material

• casualty unable to make unaided egress.

Falls from height

There is a risk of personnel or equipment falling from:

• the vertical shaft of the sewer access

• between different sewers separated by a vertical shaft

• one sewer to another at a ‘T’ junction.

In addition to the injuries that may be sustained by the individual or damage to equipment

that results, there is the danger of equipment striking the casualty or other service

personnel. The integrity of fixed access ladders must be carefully examined before use.

Internal conditions

Due to the nature of construction of sewers, access in many cases is extremely limited

and natural lighting is virtually non-existent. Both of these factors increase the risk of injury

to personnel, when gaining access to and moving around inside the sewer. Once inside

the sewer, complex layout, hazardous conditions and difficult egress increases the risk of

disorientation and the psychological stress on personnel.

The presence of water/sewage/oils increases the risk to personnel from slipping, tripping

and falling. The hazards and control measures relating to personnel moving around in

surface water are discussed in Generic Risk Assessment 2.4 Flooding and water safety .

In older sewer systems there is a risk that the lining of the sewer itself will collapse onto

personnel.


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Sluice gates/wet wells

Sluice gates are physical barriers that are usually operated automatically by fluid pressure

or controlled remotely for flood control to prevent back-wash. They are intended to direct

or divert flow usually at tunnel intersections.

They may become a hazard due to:

• being inoperative or jammed allowing water to enter the area or compartment of

the casualty

• being damaged or unstable and striking any casualty or fire and rescue

personnel

• being opened/closed inadvertently.

Sewage wet wells or lift stations are locations on the sewerage system where sewage is

pumped from a lower level to a higher one, usually using a submersible pump. Sewage

flows under gravity and the sewage has to be pumped to a higher level to continue the

flow. The risk occurs when the wet well chamber is entered.

Atmospheric conditions

The waste carried in sewers may result in the atmosphere being:

• toxic (eg presence of hydrogen sulphide H2S)

• explosive/flammable (eg presence of methane CH4)

• oxygen deficient (caused by certain micro-organisms).

If there has been a pumping failure there may also be a considerable amount of organicmaterial that will have been there for some time that may lead to the production of

significant amounts of hydrogen sulphide if it is disturbed.

Oxygen deficient atmosphere

A reduced through flow of ‘fresh’ air due to a lack of natural ventilation or insufficient

air currents from sewerage movement (blockage or pump failure) can lead to higher

concentrations of other gases (asphyxiants) resulting in an oxygen deficient atmosphere.

The operation of equipment, such as internal combustion engines, in or near the opening

may not only use up oxygen from the air but also produce exhaust gases, such as carbon

monoxide, which can accumulate in the opening.

Biological and chemical hazards

The presence of human waste increases the risk of infection eg gastroenteritis, Weil’s

disease, hepatitis A and B etc. This risk is further increased in areas where hypodermic

needles and other ‘sharps’ have been discarded in the sewer system.

The presence of rodents and other vermin presents the risk of personnel suffering animal

bites and contracting zoonosis, such as leptospirosis (Weil’s diseases).


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There are additional risks from chemicals in the effluent which have been introduced

illegally/accidently; this may include substances such as:

• corrosive materials

• fuels oils

•solvents

• paints

• other flammables.

There is an immediate risk of personnel suffering the harmful effects of direct contact

with contaminated effluent. In addition the presence of such substances in any quantity

is liable to alter the atmosphere within the sewer (eg some volatile substances will readily

deplete oxygen levels).

Manual handling

At sewer rescues there is a heightened risk of musculoskeletal injuries to personnel

resulting from:

• restricted access

• poor lighting

• bulk and weight of casualty/equipment

• difficult/restricted access, egress and movement within the sewer

• internal conditions ie dark, slippery, wet

• general lack of space to operate/set-up equipment.

Fatigue

Personnel involved in sewer rescues may have to climb a number of vertical ladders

and travel through restrictive tunnel systems in extreme temperatures before reaching

the scene of operations. This may lead to cases of exhaustion, collapse or impaired

judgement.

Weather conditions

The hazards and risks within sewers will be exacerbated by the depth and flow of water

that can be subject to rapid change causing potential fatal ‘flash’ flooding. Conditions that

will precipitate flash flooding include:

• an increase in temperature producing melt water

• storm events

• remote rainfall within a wide catchment area

• localised flooding of surface water systems.


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Communications

Due to the complexity of design, depth and size of the sewer network, radio black-spots

may be encountered which will result in poor communication between personnel inside

and outside the sewer.

Moral pressure At all incidents, on arrival of fire and rescue personnel, there will be a societal expectation

from those directly affected by the incident for prompt action to resolve the situation and

mitigate any damage or loss. Under such expectations fire and rescue personnel may

attempt to carry out tasks before they have sufficient resources to safely do so. Any

deviation from procedure must be justifiable in terms of risk versus benefit and based

upon the Incident Commander knowing the actions which are normally required as part of

operational procedure.

Key control measuresPlanning

Planning is key to enhancing the safety of firefighters and others likely to be affected by

Fire and Rescue Authority operations. Each Fire and Rescue Authority’s strategic plans

will set standards and identify the resources required to ensure safe systems of work are

maintained.

Duty holders must make adequate arrangements for recovery/recovery of employees

in difficulty. The duty holders risk assessment must take account of foreseeable events

based on known hazards, risks and experiences of their sector.

Each Fire and Rescue Authority must assess the hazards and risks in their area relating

to this generic risk assessment. The assessment must include other Fire and Rescue

Authority’s areas where ‘cross border’ arrangements make this appropriate.

Site-specific plans must be considered for locations where the hazards and risks are

significant and plans must take into account and specify any variation from the normal

operational capability of personnel, appliances and equipment. In particular, recognition

must be given to the physical and psychological pressures that an operational incident

may apply to fire and rescue personnel.

Site-specific plans must include:

• levels of response

• relevant standard operating procedures

• tactical considerations, including rendezvous points, appliance marshalling areas

and access points

• identification and where necessary, the formal notification to person(s)

responsible for the site of any Fire and Rescue Authority operational limitations


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• location of main access points

• any specialist advice or equipment available on site and remotely.

Other useful information:

• diameter of entry points/depth of shaft/anchorage points etc

• the direction or variation of flow in tunnels

• any known radio dead space

• effects of local weather ie storm events, tidal activity

• location and type of air pressure vents if any

• arrangements for monitoring and warning of severe weather conditions.

Good liaison between Fire and Rescue Authorities and the relevant water and drainage

authority is important. Authorities must ensure, by regular contact, that they have full and

up to date details of any sewage tunnel large enough for workers to enter. Arrangementsmust be made for the attendance of water company representative in any emergency

situation involving sewer rescues.

Fire and Rescue Authorities must use appropriate standard systems if work, training,

supervision, equipment and specialist personal protective equipment to ensure the safe

operational conclusion of these types of incidents. Authorities must undertake debriefs

as appropriate feeding any significant learning points back into the development of the

standard system of work, training programmes and equipment procurement.

Fire and Rescue Authorities must identify equipment suitable for use during sewer

rescues eg safety and rescue harness, hoists, explosive meters, gas analysers, airmonitoring equipment, intrinsically safe and waterproof lighting/communications

equipment and decontamination showers. The full implementation of fire and rescue

procedures requires breathing apparatus to be worn when entering sewer workings.

Planning is underpinned by information gathering, much of which will be gained through

inspections or visits by fire and rescue personnel – for example, those covered by section

7(2)d and 9(3)d of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004.

Information must also be gathered and used to review safe systems of work from sources

both within and outside the Fire and Rescue Authority, including:

• incident de-briefs

• health and safety events

• local authorities

• local resilience forum.

Involving others in planning is an effective way to build good working relations with partner

agencies and other interested parties, such as site owners.


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Fire and Rescue Authorities must ensure systems are in place to record and regularly

review risk information and to ensure that new risks are identified and recorded as soon

as practicable. The Fire and Rescue Service Operational Guidance – Operational Risk

Information1 provides further information on this subject.

Fire and Rescue Authorities must ensure that the information gathered is treated as

confidential, unless disclosure is made in the course of duty or is required for legalreasons.

Fire and Rescue Authorities must consider the benefits of using consistent systems and

formats to record information from all sources. Consideration must also be given to how

timely access will be provided to inform and support operational decision-making.

Information needs will vary in proportion to the size and nature of the incident. The

capacity of fire and rescue personnel to assimilate information will vary in relation to the

complexity of the incident. Therefore, arrangements may need to be flexible and be based

on more than one system.

Further guidance on planning can also be found in the Operational Risk Information

manual referenced above.

Pre-determined response/attendance

Fire and Rescue Authorities must ensure that the operational response to an incident

would be sufficient to allow the relevant standard system of work to be implemented.

A task analysis of the various scenarios at this type of incident will enable a Fire and

Rescue Authority to plan an effective response. This together with any known site-

specific information will provide a risk based assessment of the pre-determined response/

attendance. As part of the planning process the pre-determined response/attendance

may also include the need for: specialist vehicles, equipment, teams (urban search and

rescue), techniques and assistance from other agencies.

Competence and training

When formulating a competence and training strategy a Fire and Rescue Authorities must

ensure:

• specific risk assessments for this incident type are suitable and sufficient

• those tasked with carrying out the assessment and developing procedures arecompetent to do so

• that their personnel are adequately trained to deal with hazards and risks

associated with the generic risk assessment

• that the level and nature of training undertaken be shaped by an informed

training needs analysis that takes account of Fire and Rescue Authority guidance

on the competency framework, national occupational standards and any

individual training needs.

1 www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/5914/2124406.pdf


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Training and development programmes must:

• Follow the principles set out in national guidance documents

• Generally be structured so that they move from simple to more complex tasks

and from lower to higher levels of risk typically cover standard operational

procedures. As well as ensuring knowledge and understanding of equipment

and the associated skills that will be required to use it

• Consider the need for appropriate levels of assessment and provide for

continuous professional development, to ensure maintenance of skills and to

update personnel whenever there are changes to procedure, equipment, etc

• Involve personnel involved in other processes that support the emergency

response, such as planners devising procedures and people procuring

equipment.

Training outcomes must be evaluated to ensure that the training provided is effective,

current and meets defined operational needs as determined by the Fire and Rescue Authority’s integrated risk management plan.

Specific training requirements for rescues from sewers will include the standard operating

procedure and the equipment to be used.

Site-specific tactical exercises must be undertaken with other agencies or staff likely to

assist at an actual incident.

Specific training for sewer incidents must be undertaken to familiarise and train

operational personnel for conditions which may be encountered at such sites. The level

of training provided must be appropriate to the role expected of personnel responding inaccordance with the pre-determined response/attendance.

Fire and Rescue Authorities must have arrangements in place to ensure the continued

competence of those personnel who are liable to attend such incidents. This must take

account of input from local water companies where possible.

In some locations the Ambulance Service provides the Hazardous Area Response Team.

This team is capable of supporting Fire and Rescue Authorities with casualty assessment

and care in the hazard zone of an incident. Where appropriate, Fire and Rescue

Authorities must make arrangements to train with these teams.

Fire and rescue personnel must take part in a regular programme of practical training

which includes:

• breathing apparatus technical bulletins

• working in confined spaces

• working in darkness

• sewer simulator work

•

crawling galleries• command and control exercises


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• the use of breathing apparatus

• the use of forward control points and bridgeheads.

The provision and use of equipment

Consideration must be given to the provision, use and maintenance of equipment that

minimises personnel injury whilst gaining access to sewers through maintenance/ inspection covers or manholes and via vertical shafts. Specialist equipment may include:

• quad/tri/bi pod

• personal harnesses

• fall arrest/restraint systems

• high level anchorage points

• winches

• atmospheric monitoring equipment.

Fire and Rescue Authority ‘tested’ equipment must be used as a priority, however,

on-site ‘specialist’ equipment could be used after liaison/assessment by the Incident

Commander. The integrity of fixed access ladders must be carefully examined before use.

Approach/cordon

Consideration must be given to vehicle marshalling and a holding area/rendezvous point

at the earliest opportunity. Enhanced precautions and illumination will be a necessity at

night, an inner cordon must be established (high-risk area). Where there is a fall potential

exclusion zones must be implemented, personnel required to work within 3m of anunprotected drop must use a restraint system to control the risk of falls.

Non-essential emergency service personnel must be moved outside the inner cordon.

The Incident Commander must liaise with the police to ensure that police control or divert

traffic away from the incident.

Access/egress

Access and egress must be controlled via an identified route. Consideration must also

be given to the use of a system to log personnel in and out of the risk area. All crews

must be briefed prior to entering the inner cordon; personnel entering the sewer must befully briefed on their task, evacuation procedures, hazards and controls. The number of

personnel entering the sewer must be kept to the minimum required to safely conduct the

rescue or render first aid.

Command and control

The Incident Commander must follow the principles of the current national incident

command system. Prior to committing personnel into any hazard area, the Incident

Commander must take account of the actual information available regarding the incident

at the time. This will assist them to make effective operational decisions in what are

recognised as sometimes dangerous, fast moving and emotionally charged environments.


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On arrival at the incident, the Incident Commander must liaise with any on-site teams,

assess the situation and act accordingly. If there is no likelihood of saving life then the

level of urgency will be reduced. A thorough safety brief prior to deployment of personnel

within the hazard zone must be carried out.

Usually the Incident Commander will be able to seek advice from a member of the

drainage/on-site team at the incident, who can give advice and information on what/whois involved, rate of flow of effluent, the best access point/s for rescue teams, available site

plans etc.

The maintenance/manholes or access covers immediately beyond and behind the

point of an incident must be opened up at an early stage to provide ventilation and give

alternative egress from the sewer.

The area at the top of a sewer must be well lit before personnel are allowed to enter this

may be augmented with portable lighting or hand lamps. Intrinsically safe lighting must be

used where possible with generators well away from the access/ventilation points.

Communications

For all practical purposes there is no penetration of the surface by any of the frequencies

used in normal above surface communications. These frequencies will only propagate

through air and thin walls. The energy is absorbed very quickly by other media such as

rock, brick or water, this may also cause problems for breathing apparatus telemetry

systems.

A means of intrinsically safe communication must be established between: personnel

working in the sewer, those at the surface, and with the Incident Commander. The entry

point to the sewer system must be attended at all times. A breathing apparatus wearer

must also remain at the foot of the entry shaft to aid communications between the

breathing apparatus team and the surface and where possible, efforts must be made to

ensure a line of sight is maintained with personnel working in the sewer.

Operational considerations

Work by breathing apparatus teams is likely to be protracted and difficult and the use

of air is likely to be excessive, with the possible risk of wearers misjudging their exit

times. Crews must be reminded of the importance of frequently checking the breathing

apparatus cylinder contents gauge.

The weight of the equipment and any casualties may be such that they constitute

an excessive load for personnel to lift. Consideration must be given to the use of a

mechanised hoist or pulleys during lifting operations.

The water and drainage authority will be able to provide the Incident Commander with

information as to the likelihood of increased flow rates due to inclement weather, melt

water and peak usage times. Constant monitoring of the flow rate by rescue personnel will

enable the Incident Commander to make a decision to either continue with operations or


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evacuate the sewer, the use of the ‘Firemet’2 weather system may also be of assistance.

Consider asking the sewer operator if it possible to close sluice gates to reduce/stop/

divert the flow from the sewer during rescue operations.

Safety Officer(s)

The early appointment of one or more ‘Safety Officer’ will help ensure that risks are either

eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level.

A safety decision-making model must be used to brief Safety Officers regarding the

nature of the incident, the allocated task and prevailing hazards and risks. The Incident

Commander must confirm that the Safety Officer understands:

• their role and area of responsibility

• allocated tasks

• lines of communication.

Those undertaking the Safety Off icer role must:

• be competent to perform the role

• ensure personnel are wearing appropriate personal protective equipment

• monitor the physical condition of personnel and/or general or specific safety

conditions at the incident, in accordance with their brief

• take any urgent corrective action required to ensure safety of personnel

• update the Incident Commander or senior safety officer regarding any change in

circumstances

• not be engaged in any other aspect of operations, unless this is required to deal

with a risk critical situation.

The role of a Safety Officer can be carried out by any of the fire service roles, however,

the complexity of the task, the size of the incident and the scope of responsibility must be

considered by the Incident Commander when determining the supervisory level required.

Safety Officers must wear nationally recognised identification to indicate they are

undertaking the Safety Officer role.

Safety Officers will raise the alarm with the agreed evacuation signals; this signal must

be recognisable from other ambient sounds. All personnel present, including works

personnel and other emergency service personnel, must understand the evacuation

signal and the actions to be taken when it is sounded.

Fire and Rescue Authorities must ensure that training and other measures (such as aide-

memoires) are in place and available to support those staff liable to undertake this role.

2 FireMet is a weather system designed to provide fire and rescue responders with the latest weather information to helpthem identify a safe approach when dealing with a major incident.


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Personal protective equipment

Fire and Rescue Authorities must ensure that any personal protective equipment provided

is fit for purpose and meets all required safety standards. When choosing suitable

protective garments, the standard of clothing worn beneath the specialist personal

protective equipment must also be taken into account. Consideration must also be given

to the selection of suitable sizes and gender specific requirements of personal protective

equipment.

Personal protective equipment must also take account of the need for rescuers to be

visible against the operational background including night working and for the Incident

Commander and other managerial and functional roles (defined in the national incident

command system) to be distinguishable.

Sewage can be made up of both known substances (legitimate waste from households

and permitted waste from industries) and unknown substances (chemicals, oils etc from

households and industries introduced illegally).

Precautions to prevent contamination:

• standard firefighting uniform including breathing apparatus and gloves will

‘normally’ provide adequate protection, specific risk assessments may dictate an

increased level of protection

• prior to working in possibly contaminated environments, cover any cuts and

abrasions with waterproof adhesive dressings

• avoid hand contact with eyes or mouth prior to washing hands and forearms

•ensure contaminated clothing and the affected areas are cleaned in accordancewith the relevant Fire and Rescue Authority procedures.

Crew welfare

Working conditions for this type of rescue may be difficult and the nature of the tasks may

be arduous, therefore the Incident Commander must make suitable arrangements for

rotation or resting of crews and the early provision of relief crews.

Personal hygiene arrangements must be established (eg for washing hands) before

undertaking the provision of refreshments. In cold/inclement weather and at protracted

incidents it may be necessary for additional welfare and food to be provided.

Firefighters must also pay close attention to personal hygiene. It is, therefore, imperative

that all personnel are prohibited from eating, drinking and smoking at sewer incidents

unless a clearly defined clear area for washing and welfare is set-aside solely for that

purpose. When washing at the incident or on return to the station personnel must pay

particular attention to nails, between fingers etc.


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Decontamination

Arrangements must be made on-site to allow the cleaning/decontamination of boots,

gloves and fire-kit. If items cannot be sufficiently cleaned at the incident additional/

specialist cleaning must be established in accordance with existing Fire and Rescue

Authority decontamination procedures.

Post incident

The following measures must be considered to help eliminate or remove risks after an

incident, as appropriate to its nature and scale:

• Record any safety events; personal injuries, exposure to hazardous substances

or near-misses These must be investigated and reported in line with current Fire

and Rescue Authority procedures

• Put in place arrangements to either remove all contamination from personal

protective equipment or to ensure it’s safe and appropriate disposal and to

check that personal protective equipment maintains the agreed levels of integrityand protection for the wearer throughout its lifecycle

• As appropriate, ensure occupational health support and surveillance follow up

• Conduct a de-brief to identify and record any ‘lessons learned’ from the incident.

De-briefs will range in complexity and formality, proportionate to the scale of the

incident and in line with individual Fire and Rescue Authority’s procedures

• Consider any changes required to safe systems of work, appliances or

equipment in the light of any lessons learned from debriefs or from safety

events. Where these are likely to impact on other Fire and Rescue Authoritiesprocedures then information must be relayed through the appropriate channels

to ensure learning from incidents is shared with the wider fire and rescue

community

• Consider the need to review existing information held on a premises or location,

or the need to add a new premises or location into future preplanning eg by

adding to visit or inspection programme

• Support and monitor staff to identify whether they are experiencing any adverse

affects and to check whether they would benefit from accessing counselling and

support services• Consideration must be given to arranging for staff to make a contemporaneous

written record of their actions. This information may be used to assist in any

internal or external investigations or enquiries that follow any incident eg

Coroner’s Court, public enquiry, etc.


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Technical references

1 Home Office Guide to Operational Risk Assessment

2 The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997

3 HSE Operational Circular 334/5 Confined Spaces and the Fire Service

4 Generic Risk Assessment 2.1 Rescues from confined spaces

5 Home Office Technical Bulletin 1/97 Breathing Apparatus6 Manual Volume 2, Fire Service Operations, Safe Work at Height, 2006

7 Fire Service Manual Incident Command

8 DCO/L 1/1998 Safe work in confined spaces

9 2/2005 Physiological assessment of firefighting, search and rescue in the built

environment

10 1/2005 Operational physiological capabilities of firefighters: literature review and

research recommendations

11 Health and Safety Executive Guidance Safe Work in Confined Spaces 09/11

12 Approved Code of Practice, Regulations and guidance L101

13 Health and Safety Executive Guidance Working with Sewage 02/96

14 Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992


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o

p e r a t i o n a l i n c i d e n t

M a j o r i n j u

r y i f n o t

c a r r i e d o u t


p e r s o n n e l

P u b l i c

P e r s o n n e l f r o m o t h e r

a g e n c i e s

F i r e a n d R e s c u e A u t h o r i t y

t o g a t h e r

i n f o r m a t i o n ; l i a i s e w i t h i n d u s t r y ; a n d r e c o r d

a p p r o p r i a t e i n f o r m a t i o n , p

l a n s e t c


t o e n s u r e c r e w s

a n d I n c i d e n t C o m m a n d e r s a r e a d e q u a t e l y

t r a i n e d a n d c o m p e t e n t a n

d u n d e r t a k e

r e g u l a r t r a i n i n g a n d e x e r c i s e s f o r s e w e r r i s k s

i n t h e i r a r e a


t o e n s u r e s u i t a b l e

s t a n d a r d o p e r a t i n g p r o c e d u r e s a r e i n p l a c e ;

c u r r e n t , a n d r e g u l a r l y r e v i e

w e d .


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T a s k - I n i t i a l s t a g e s o f t h e i n c i d e n t

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f .

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A c t i v i t y

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a z a r d

R i s k



2 . 0

G a i n i n g a c c e s s / e g r e s s

t o s e w e r

W

o r k i n g a t h e i g h t ,

s

l i p p e r y s u r f a c e s

S l i p s , t r i p s a n d f a l l s o n

l e v e l a n d

f r o m h e i g h t ,

c o l l i s i o n s , u n a b l e t o g e t

o u t – s e r i o u s i n j u r i e s /

d e a t h


p e r s o n n e l


a g e n c i e s

M a i n t a i n c o n t r o l l e d a c c e s s / e g r e s s a n d

s u p e r v i s i o n a t a l l t i m e s

L i a i s e w i t h o n s i t e a g e n c i e

s / r e l e v a n t w a t e r

a n d d r a i n a g e a u t h o r i t y

R e q u e s t o n s i t e p l a n s

E n s u r e c r e w s b r i e f e d

C o n s i d e r a e r i a l a p p l i a n c e

f o r a c c e s s a n d

e g r e s s

E s t a b l i s h e v a c u a t i o n p l a n

a n d e n s u r e a l l

p e r s o n n e l a r e a w a r e

S e c u r e p e r s o n n e l w i t h l i n e

s / h a r n e s s e s

I l l u m i n a t e a s r e q u i r e d

A p p r o p r i a t e p e r s o n a l p r o t e c t i v e e q u i p m e n t .

2 . 1

G a i n i n g a c c e s s / e g r e s s

t o s e w e r

W

o r k i n g a t h e i g h t

F a l l s i n t o

o p e n i n g –

p h y s i c a l i n j u r y , d e a t h


p e r s o n n e l


a g e n c i e s

E s t a b l i s h a n d i d e n t i f y c o r d

o n s

S t r i c t l y m o n i t o r p e r s o n n e l e n t e r i n g c o r d o n

C l e a r l y i d e n t i f y s e w e r e n t r y p o i n t s

B r i e f c r e w s

A d e q u a t e l y l i t w i t h a p p r o p

r i a t e l i g h t i n g

C o m m i t m i n i m u m p e r s o n n e l o n l y ( a v o i d i f

p o s s i b l e )

P r o v i s i o n a n d u s e o f s u i t a b l e w o r k i n g a t

h e i g h t e q u i p m e n t .


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2 . 2

A t t e n d i n g s e w e r

i n c i d e n t s

V

e h i c u l a r t r a f fi c

C o l l i s i o n / t r a u m a i n j u r i e s


p e r s o n n e l


a g e n c i e s

E s t a b l i s h c o r d o n s

U s e o f p o l i c e f o r t r a f fi c c o n t r o l , r o a d c l o s u r e

e t c .

2 . 3

C a s u a l t y r e s c u e s

P

r o t r a c t e d w o r k i n g i n

d

i f fi c u l t c o n d i t i o n s

F a t i g u e / s t r e s s


p e r s o n n e l

C a s u a l t i e s


a g e n c i e s

C r e w s e l e c t i o n

A p p r o p r i a t e l y t r a i n e d a n d

s u p e r v i s e d t e a m s

o f fi r e fi g h t e r s

I d e n t i f y r e l i e f c r e w s e a r l y i n t o i n c i d e n t

A p p o i n t S a f e t y O f fi c e r ( s )

S u p e r v i s e a n d m o n i t o r

C o r r e c t s e l e c t i o n o f p e r s o

n a l p r o t e c t i v e

e q u i p m e n t a l l o w i n g f o r a m

b i e n t c o n d i t i o n s

P r o v i d e w e l f a r e f a c i l i t i e s .

2 . 4


F

a t a l i t i e s , s t r e s s f u l

o

c c u r r e n c e s

P o s t t r a u m a t i c s t r e s s

A n x i e t y


p e r s o n n e l

C a s u a l t i e s


a g e n c i e s

C r i t i c a l i n c i d e n t d e b r i e f

W e l f a r e , s u p p o r t a n d c o u n s e l l i n g , h e a l t h

s u r v e i l l a n c e .


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N o

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2 . 5


M

a n u a l h a n d l i n g /

m

a n u a l l a b o u r

M u s c u l o s

k e l e t a l i n j u r y


p e r s o n n e l


a g e n c i e s n o n - s e r v i c e

p e r s o n n e l

U s e m e c h a n i c a l a i d s w h e r e p o s s i b l e ( h o i s t s ,

h a r n e s s e s , s t r e t c h e r s )

C r e w s e l e c t i o n

S u p e r v i s i o n

C r e w r o t a t i o n

U s e a p p r o v e d m a n u a l h a n

d l i n g t e c h n i q u e s

P r o v i d e p e o p l e m o v i n g m a n u a l h a n d l i n g

t r a i n i n g .

2 . 6

W o r k i n g i n t h e s e w e r

P

o o r i l l u m i n a t i o n

S l i p t r i p a

n d f a l l s ,

c o l l i s i o n s , i n j u r y a n d

d e a t h


p e r s o n n e l



p e r s o n n e l

C a s u a l t y

S u p p l e m e n t w i t h a p p r o p r i a t e p o r t a b l e

l i g h t i n g o r h a n d h e l d l a m p

s

C o n s i d e r t h e n e e d f o r i n t r i n s i c a l l y s a f e

l i g h t i n g e a r l y i n t o i n c i d e n t

R e q u e s t a d d i t i o n a l r e s o u r c e s .

2 . 7


H

a z a r d o u s m a t e r i a l s

( b i o h a z a r d s , s e w a g e ,

e

f fl u e n t )

I n f e c t i o n b y p a t h o g e n ,

p o i s o n i n g


p e r s o n n e l



p e r s o n n e l

C a s u a l t y

C a r r y o u t a t m o s p h e r i c m o

n i t o r i n g V e n t i l a t e

A p p r o p r i a t e p e r s o n a l p r o t e c t i v e e q u i p m e n t /

r e s p i r a t o r y p r o t e c t i v e e q u i p m e n t

U s e b r e a t h i n g a p p a r a t u s

D e c o n t a m i n a t i o n a n d h y g i e n e p r o c e d u r e s i n

p l a c e

R e s u s c i t a t i o n e q u i p m e n t f o r c a s u a l t y

E s t a b l i s h s t r i c t h y g i e n e a r r a n g e m e n t s i e

e a t i n g , d r i n k i n g e t c

A p p o i n t d e c o n t a m i n a t i o n

o f fi c e r s .


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2 . 8


O

x y g e n d e fi c i e n t /

i r

r e s p i r a b l e , n o x i o u s ,

T o x i c , fl a m m a b l e

a

t m o s p h e r e s

A s p h y x i a t i o n , fi r e ,

e x p l o s i o n

, b u r n s , d e a t h


p e r s o n n e l


a g e n c i e s

N o n - s e r v i c e p e r s o n n e l

C a s u a l t y

C o r d o n o f f , a n d c o n t r o l a r

e a

R e g u l a r a t m o s p h e r i c m o n

i t o r i n g

V e n t i l a t i o n

E s t a b l i s h a n d m a i n t a i n i n t r i n s i c s a f e t y

A p p o i n t s a f e t y o f fi c e r

O p e n u p o t h e r c o v e r s i n t h e a r e a .


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T a s k – A s t h e i n c i d e n t d e v e

l o p s

R e

f .

N o

.

A c t i v i t y

H

a z a r d

R i s k



3 . 0


L

i f t i n g a n d l o w e r i n g

c

a s u a l t i e s

M u s c u l a r

s k e l e t a l

i n j u r i e s


p e r s o n n e l


a g e n c i e s

C a s u a l t y

C o n s i d e r m e c h a n i c a l l i f t i n

g s y s t e m s f o r

c a s u a l t y r e s c u e .

3 . 1


E

x p o s u r e o f c r e w s

t o e x t r e m e w o r k i n g

e

n v i r o n m e n t s

E x h a u s t i o

n ; h e a t

s t r e s s , h e

a t s y n c o p e


p e r s o n n e l

R e d u c e c r e w e x p o s u r e t i m

e , c o n s i d e r r e l i e f

c r e w s . M a k e h y d r a t i o n a v a i l a b l e t o c r e w s

w h e n w i t h d r a w n f r o m t h e

i n c i d e n t

C o n s i d e r r e q u e s t i n g s p e c i a l i s t t e c h n i c a l

r e s c u e t e a m s w h e r e a v a i l a b l e ( u r b a n s e a r c h

a n d r e s c u e ) .

3 . 2


E

x p o s u r e t o h a z a r d o u s

s

u b s t a n c e s

I n f e c t i o n c o n t a m i n a t i o n

o r p o i s o n

i n g


p e r s o n n e l

C a s u a l t i e s

I n c i d e n t C o m m a n d e r t o d e p l o y S a f e t y

O f fi c e r ( s )

R e c o r d a n y e x p o s u r e t o h

a z a r d o u s

m a t e r i a l s .


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4

P o s t i n c i d e n t d e - b r i e f

E

x p o s u r e t o e x t r e m e

w

o r k i n g e n v i r o n m e n t s

P o s t t r a u m a t i c s t r e s s

d i s o r d e r


p e r s o n n e l

P u b l i c

O t h e r a g e n c i e s


t o m a k e

c o u n s e l l i n g s e r v i c e s a v a i l a

b l e

C r i t i c a l i n c i d e n t d e b r i e f

W e l f a r e , s u p p o r t a n d c o u n s e l l i n g , h e a l t h

s u r v e i l l a n c e .

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