Term Paper on "Fuel Systems Confined Space Training"

Term Paper 8 pages (2078 words) Sources: 7 Style: APA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Fuel Systems Confined Space Training Program

Worker deaths have been recently noted in confined spaces and 60% of these are deaths of would-be rescuers. The lack of established rescue procedures and the workers' not following technical data provided are among the causes of the fatalities (Millar 1986). With the end-view of addressing the situation, this Manual discusses entry, confined space entry, entry permit, enclosed area, hazards and safe entry. It also contains an emergency response plan and roles, 10 requirements for fuel systems confined space, guidelines for fuel systems safety, and an occupational, physical and respiratory protection program.

Entry, Confined Space Entry, Entry Permit

Entry is any act, which results in any part of an employee's body breaching the plane of the opening of a confined space or enclosed area. It includes any ensuing work in a confined space or enclosed area. Entry into a fuel tank can be in the form of fuel leaks, structural problems, fuel quantity problems, or NDI inspections.

A confined space is one that is large enough for a body to enter, has limited means for entry or exit, and is not designed for continuous occupancy. A confined space must meet all these three conditions in order to be considered a confined space. All aircraft fuel tanks are considered "permit-required" confined spaces, according to T.O 1-1-3. Center-wing dry bay will be tested with 514 Bacharach before entry for inspection or fuel maintenance.

The MXC/CC or his equivalent is responsible for the safe execution of all entries into, and all work performed in, aircraft fuel tanks. The issuance over his or her signature designates the Entry Authority the authorization to issue the Field Permits. The Base bioenvironmental engineers of the Safety and the Fire Department are responsible for evaluating and coordinating work on the Entry Permit Authorization Letter, in addition to those duties outlined by AF Directives. This letter certifies that the Fuel Systems Repair supervisor is empowered to act as the Entry authority for aircraft fuel systems. It is developed by the organization, which supervises the entries and is approved by the MXG/CC. It is issued by the Maintenance Group Commander in coordination with Ground Safety, Base Bioenvironmental engineers and the Fire Department. It authorizes the Entry authority and alternate Entry authority to issue a Field Entry Permit. The Permit must describe the conditions under which maintenance may be performed. It is effective only for a year, certifies the names and positions of the Entry authority and the designated alternates, describes under what conditions the Entry authority will issue the Field Permit, identifies the type of aircraft and the work to be performed, and describes the general atmospheric conditions under which Entry will be made. It also prescribes the type of chemicals, sealants and adhesives, which can be used.

The Field Permit will never be given for entry into a tank possessing an immediate dangerous life health atmosphere. It will ensure that all entries and work to be performed will be according to all safety practices. It will also establish and maintain control over entry into all open fuel tanks. Re-issuance of the Field Permit can be terminated with any change of conditions and a new one must be re-issued when the aircraft is moved or when the confined space is closed, then reopened or when the applicable permit field is filled.

Enclosed Area, Oxygen Deficient Atmosphere, Safe Entry

An enclosed area is a space with limited ingress and egress and which is not large enough to be entered into bodily. In this Manual, enclosed areas are treated in the same way as confined spaces. The center wing dry bay, bottom tank access and top tank access can be considered confined spaces on an aircraft.

One hazard is an oxygen deficient atmosphere. The minimum acceptable oxygen level is 19.5%. At 15-19%, the ability to work strenuously decreases. An impaired condition develops and early symptoms appear. At 12-14% oxygen deficiency, respiration increases and judgment becomes poor. At 10-1%, respiration increases and the lips turn blue. At 8-10%, mental failure occurs, followed by fainting, nausea, unconsciousness and vomiting. At 6-8% level, the condition turns fatal in 8 minutes, 50% fatal in 6 minutes and recovery is possible from 4-5 minutes. At 406%, comma occurs and death in 40 seconds.

Safe Entry. The conditions under which entry is considered safe in a confined space are 10% lower explosion level and oxygen level between 19.5% and 23.5%.

Each section, in coordination with base Medical Services, Fire Department, Safety and Base Bioenvironmental Engineers will develop and write an Emergency Response Plan.

The Entry Chief, Entrant, Attendant, Runner and Monitor

The Entry chief, the entrant, the attendant, the runner and the monitor are the four most important persons in this activity. The entrant is an employee who is trained and authorized to enter a confined space (U.S. Air Force 2006). He is familiar with self-rescue. The entrant is obliged to insure that all sections of the Entry Permit are completed and to obey the instructions of the attendant.

An attendant is a trained person beyond the confined space and who acts as the observer of the entrant. He performs overall responsibilities in monitoring the Entry area. He must notify the runner or equipment monitor when an emergency exists, ensures that the tank is being constantly monitored and that a safe atmosphere is available for entry or rescue, and informs the Incident Manager or Fire Department of the existence of an immediate and dangerous life health condition. The attendant insures that there is constant ventilation when the entrant is in the tank. He attempts to rescue the entrant when replaced by an equally qualified attendant. And he keeps constant vigil when an entrant is in the tank. He conducts primary tests for flammable and combustible vapors and oxygen level. He fills out the Field Permit with the primary tests for flammable and combustible vapors. He conducts the tests prior to entry and continuously monitors the confined space. He must be trained for the tasks.

The equipment monitor runner is positioned outside the confined space area, which requires the Permit. His primary duties are to monitor the equipment and to control the entry into the area. In the event of an emergency evacuation exercise, and on being alerted by the attendant, the equipment monitor runner contacts the Fire Department and reports on the nature of the emergency, the location and the tank involved. He notifies all personnel in the area on the existing emergency and instructs task personnel to open hangar doors and then immediately reports to the emergency location to help in the rescue. He insures that the atmosphere remains safe and constant ventilation is maintained during the rescue attempt. He also helps in providing CPR and Self-Aid Buddy Care until he is relieved by the Fire Department or medical services.

The Fire Department contacts the medical services in the event of an emergency and maintains radio contact with them. It also contacts security police for help in directing medical personnel to the location of the emergency. It assumes contact at the rescue and emergency scene. It provides CPR and first-aid. It performs mechanical extractions and removes an entrant through appropriate pneumatic or mechanical devices.

On the other hand, medical services provide medical attention and emergency transportation for the victims. Security police control entry into the area, direct medical services vehicles. Ground safety determines the cause of the accident or emergency when it is over.

The MOCC insures that the Fire Department receives the call on the emergency phone and insures that the emergency ground checklist is initiated.

Requirements for Training

The 10 requirements for training are:

initial work center briefing an occupational physical and respiratory protection program federal hazardous communications training fuel systems evaluation and/or tank familiarization training

Master or Field Permits fuel systems safety test confined space video

CPR, Self-Aid Buddy Care and Fire Extinguisher training personnel protective equipment self-rescue

The work center briefing is conducted within 30 days of assignment and to cover mandatory items in AFI 91-301 (Spears 2002)

Fuel systems personnel will receive the protection program before being declared respirator "fit-tested" and recertified annually. The Bioenvironmental department will certify and recertify every year all respirators used for fuel systems repair. Shop personnel are responsible for the use and care of respirators as stated in the Fuel Shop Respirator Operation Instructions (Breed 2005)

Federal hazardous communications training insures that personnel are properly trained on the hazards of the work area on both physical and chemical hazards. The training also require an annual recertification training. The fuel system training insures that all personnel are familiar with their emergency evacuation roles and responsibilities and tank structures.

Fuel systems personnel are familiar with the specifics of the Master and/or Field Entry Permit.

They are also required to pass a 25-question safety test on confined space and fuel systems safety. Non-fuel systems personnel are required to pass a 15-question safety test.

The confined space video is a useful tool in keeping the… READ MORE

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