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Confined Space - Using a crane & best bractice for emergency arrangements
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shauncampbell  
#1 Posted : 07 September 2011 14:40:01(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
shauncampbell
Our company is involved in a lot of high risk confined space operations. At times we have to use a crane and man riding basket to enter some deep confined spaces. Our confined space operative is always connected to the manriding basket by a retactable fall arrest block. If an emergency happens e.g he collapses and as far as I know the industry standard for crane companies is to retrieve the basket with the operative underneath the basket attached by his fall arrest lanyard?

Can anyone benchmark this procedure as an indusry standard for the use of a crane and confined space operating please.
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MB1  
#2 Posted : 07 September 2011 15:04:53(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
MB1
shaun,

Are you only giving snippets for people to comment on?

Use MRB x 1 person to lower into a confined space.

Person exits the MRB to carry out tasks - where will he go in relation to where the basket is... angles corners etc?

Attached to MRB via fall arrest lanyard & retractable FA block.. so worst case would be lifted by this equipment. So how does the retractable FA block lock out if the MRB is lifted smoothly?
Will the shock absorbtion on the lanyard engage with the loading of a motionless person?
Industry standard would need to take that into account?
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Ron Hunter  
#3 Posted : 07 September 2011 17:07:14(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ron Hunter
Presumably the person is required to leave the basket. How does the crane operator know when an 'emergency' has arisen?
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shauncampbell  
#4 Posted : 07 September 2011 17:17:30(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
shauncampbell
The confined space operation is controlled by a "top man" who is in constant verbal & visual communication. A crane lift supervisor is also in attendance who supervises the lift + crane operator in the crane.
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Rhodes22022  
#5 Posted : 08 September 2011 08:06:10(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Rhodes22022
You will need to supply more information before anyone could comment on what seems to be a very high risk operation. Communications, a rescue plan, gas testing, training,work @ height all need to be looked at very closely before you even start doing this ie a risk assessment!
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Wizard  
#6 Posted : 08 September 2011 11:18:36(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Wizard
Shaun, lots of good information and recommendations given here.

As has been said a good procedure is needed to deal with all eventualities. Training and thoruoghness of following the procedure will be imperative. How will you know that the space you are lowering the man basket and worker into will support life?
How do you test the atmosphere prior to and during this operation. Are some questions you may wish to pose.

Wizard
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MB1  
#7 Posted : 08 September 2011 13:27:36(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
MB1
Scratching my head re: top man & visual comms ... deep confined space with MRB obscuring view... effective comms radio for such depths?
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Rhodes22022  
#8 Posted : 09 September 2011 16:43:18(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Rhodes22022
MB1 wrote:
Scratching my head re: top man & visual comms ... deep confined space with MRB obscuring view... effective comms radio for such depths?

The "top man" , (or woman),referred to is what, in my organisation, we call the confined space supervisor who has had the requisite training in confined space procedures, gas testing, rescue etc. The best form of communication is if you can see the operative at all times whe they are in the confined space. However, communications means just that ie being able to communicate by any means. This could be by two way radios, (make sure both handsets are on the same channel), or a piece of rope tied around the operative with a system ofsignals agreed beforehand.

Allan
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alexmccreadie13  
#9 Posted : 12 September 2011 09:55:55(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
alexmccreadie13
Shaun

I stand to be corrected but there is no Industry Standard for the operation of lifting a casualty underneath a MRB using his fall arrest lanyard.

This system is not in LOLER or in BS7121 Parts 1 or 3.

I feel as others have said there is a lot to look at before even getting to the operative rescue plan.

Good luck

Alex
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