EMERGENCY SHORING & LIFTING TECHNIQUES

HOLMATRO’SEMERGENCY SHORING& LIFTING TECHNIQUES

A guide to equipment handling and techniques for use in emergency shoring and lifting operations

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HOLMATRO’S EMERGENCY

SHORING & LIFTINGTECHNIQUES

By : Brendon MorrisConsultation & Training Manager Holmatro Rescue Equipment

© Copyright 01-2008Holmatro Rescue Equipment B.V., the NetherlandsAll rights reserved980.000.197

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This book contains information on rescue tools and rescue techniques thatcan be employed in different emergency situations. The situations shown in thisbook are examples only and are merely meant to assist the user of this book inunderstanding certain basic shoring and lifting techniques and tools available.

Every single emergency situation is unique. Variables such as the kind andthe actual condition of vehicles, the collapsed structure or trench, the numberof patients and their actual condition and other external hazards all play a rolein determining the appropriate actions and their sequence. It is important tonote that you should always read and understand the manual for the relevanttools, use the standard operating procedures and follow the instructions of yourdepartment and incident commanders.

The extrication scene is inherently hazardous. Your personal safety dependson the training provided by your agency, your use of the appropriate personalprotective equipment and your understanding of the rescue equipment you oryour agency utilizes. It is YOUR responsibility to read and understand all operation manuals associated with your rescue equipment, receive appropriatetraining in its use, and ensure that it is properly maintained. Your failure to takeall of these steps may lead to death or severe personal injury of victims, yourself or any body else at the emergency scene.

Holmatro disclaims any liability for any damage or injury, whether direct, indirect or otherwise, and whether asserted in contract, tort, warranty or otherwise, incurred as a result of the use of rescue techniques and/or rescuetools described in the book or the use of any other rescue techniques and/orrescue tools that are employed in an actual emergency situation, except to theextent, and limited to, the terms of any warranty provided by Holmatro for itsown equipment. Holmatro makes no warranty, express or implied, with respectto its own equipment from the contents of this book, including without limitation,any warranty of merchantability or warranty of fitness for a particular purpose.

Important notice

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The rescue of trapped persons is inherently dangerouswork. Those who dedicate their time to this endeavor expect anddeserve the best knowledge and tools required to do this type of worksafely and effectively. This book hopes to provide the grounding togood knowledge in the fields of emergency shoring and lifting operations surrounding such rescue situations.

Many consider emergency shoring and lifting operations to be very complex. Mygoal with this book is to provide a basis to the principles of emergency shoring and lifting operations, as needed for the safe rescue of persons trapped. The principles of emergencyshoring and lifting reach across a range of specific extrication rescue disciplines. This said,it should be understood that this book is not intended as a detailed discussion on these disciplines* but rather a representation of collective knowledge on the fundamental principlesand applications of emergency shoring and lifting in them. This book is intended to supplement training material and courses dedicated to the different disciplines describedwithin its pages.

It is not possible to cover every eventuality at an extrication rescue operation. Thetechniques described in this book should be seen as generic principles that can be adaptedto the variety of situations one may come across. To this end, a large portion of this book isdedicated to explaining these principles and the safe use of equipment needed to performthem.

It is well understood that some of the techniques and strategies covered in thisbook may be new to you and / or your organization. This book should never be seen as representing every good idea in the field. With this in mind, it must be mentioned that in allcases of conflict with the content of this book, guidelines from your local authority should befollowed. When it comes to techniques not used before it is further well advised that thesenew techniques be practiced in a controlled training environment before using them in anactual emergency.

Whatever your area of expertise, I trust that you will find this book a useful addition to your rescue training programs.

* One of the technical rescue disciplines discussed in this book is Vehicle Extrication Rescue.For a more detailed discussion on this topic take a closer look at the book Holmatro’s VehicleExtrication Techniques.

Brendon MorrisConsultation & Training Manager

Holmatro Rescue Equipment

Author’s note

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E M E R G E N C Y S H O R I N G A N D L I F T I N G T E C H N I Q U E SA Guide to Equipment Handling and Techniques for Use in Emergency Shoring and Lifting Operations

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Contents

SAFETY p.8- Personal safety p.9- Equipment handling p.12

SHORING EQUIPMENT p.16- Terminology p.17- Struts p.18- Strut application comparison p.26- Length extensions p.28- Heads p.29- Building up a shore p.30

LIFTING EQUIPMENT p.32- Introduction p.33- Lifting bags p.34- Hydraulic wedge jack p.36- Lifting jacks p.37

HYDRAULIC ASSIST EQUIPMENT p.38- Introduction p.39- Spreaders p.40- Cutters p.41- Rams p.42- Combination tools p.43- Self-contained hydraulic tools p.44- Hydraulic pumps p.45

EQUIPMENT CARE & MAINTENANCE p.46- Introduction p.47- Care & maintenance p.48

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Contents

LOAD MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES p.50- Triangle of stability p.51- Center of gravity p.53

VEHICLE RESCUE p.54- Introduction p.55- Vehicle on its side p.56- Vehicle on its roof p.59- Large vehicle stabilization p.62- Large vehicle lifting p.66

COLLAPSED STRUCTURE RESCUE p.70- Introduction p.71- Collapsed structure safety p.72- Principles of emergency shoring p.74- Window / doorway shores p.75- “T” / Spot shores p.78- Progressive lifting p.81

TRENCH COLLAPSE RESCUE p.84- Introduction p.85- Trench safety and terminology p.86- Trench rescue approach p.88- Rapid safe area creation p.91

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS p.96

NOTES p.97

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8

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9

Personal safetyThe following personal protective equipment represents a minimum personal safety

requirement for variety of technical rescue operations, including emergency shoring and liftingoperations. This equipment does however not protect against every hazard that may be present in certain technical rescue operations. In some cases additional protective equipment may be required.

· A helmet appropriate to the environment you are working in should beworn at all times.

· Eye protection appropriate to the risk of the work you are doing shouldbe used.

· Appropriate gloves should be worn at all times to protect your hands.· Sturdy long-sleeved working clothes should be worn as a minimum

requirement. Of course, if the environment requires more significantprotection, this should be used. Incorporated reflective material isalways beneficial for visibility.

· Safety boots with ankle and toe protection are also a must for thetechnical rescue environment.

Some extra pieces of personal safety equipment may only be required in certainsituations. Each rescuer should have access to this equipment in case it is required.

· Hearing protection.· Knee and elbow protection.· Dust masks or other respiratory protection.

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While safety officers should always be assigned in rescue operations, ultimatelyevery rescuer is responsible for his or her personal safety. To be sure of this, rescuers shouldalways be aware of their surroundings and how they use their rescue equipment. Some generic points should always be remembered.

· At all times observe the equipment manufacturers’ operating instructions.

· Pay attention to movement of objects you are working on andaround, including shifting ormoving overhead loads.

· Always monitor vibrations or movements that may affect the environment you are working in.

· Keep hands and feet away from any potential pinch points.

· Always return all equipment not in use to the designated tool staging area and leave them in the safe position.

Personal safety

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· Protect against the effects of prolonged exposure to extreme environments such as loud noise, bright light or extreme temperatures.

· The maximum allowable capacity of each piece of equipment should never be exceeded.

· Equipment should only ever be used for applications for which it has been designed. It is also vital to read and understand equipment manufacturers’ user’s manuals.

· Because hoses are susceptible to damage (cuts, abrasion, kinks, burns, chemical contamination etc.) extreme care must be taken. Damaged hoses should never be used and should be immediately removed from service.

· Always check equipment for damage and do not use equipment if it is not in good condition. Maintenance should be conducted according to manufactures’ recommendations.

· Be aware of potential tool movements and reactions of tools that may lead to injury or trapping of rescuers or patients.

Personal safety

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A - Shoring

When working with emergency shoring equipment the following general safety pointsshould be noted regarding their safe operation.

· Wherever possible, position shores on a stable, flat solid base without protrusions or loose material. If this is not possible, be sure to make use of the appropriate heads and accessories such as base plates and tension straps to counteract the unstable situation.

· The rescuer should never move under or in the path of a load that has not been secured by either cribbing or shores that have been mechanically locked off.

· Shores should never be side loaded. In all cases shores should be placed in such a way that the load only acts down the centre of the shore.

Other safety points, specific to different rescue applications, will be covered in theoperational chapters of this book.

Equipment handling

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B – Lifting equipment

No matter what lifting equipment is used, there are a few points that must always betaken into consideration for safe working with such tools.

· In all cases any lift or space created must be followed with chocks or mechanically lockedshoring.

Beware of placing fingers under a lifted load. Always push cribbing into place carefully.

· Always closely observe all the effects of the lifting process to ensure that the situation is not being made unstable.

· Always star t with the most appropriate tool for the initial insertion space you have. This will ensure the efficient use of available capacity and stroke.

Equipment handling

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· At no time should more than two high-pressure lifting bags be used on top of one another. The practice of using bags on top of each other should only be seen as a last option when absolutely necessary.

If two high-pressure bags are stacked, be sure to place the largest bag at the bottom. Also be sure to have them centered on one another.

Low-pressure high-volume bags should never be used stacked on each other.

· While lifting bags are designed to be resistant to damage, all efforts should be made to ensure lifting surfaces are free of sharp edges or protrusions as these may damage the bag.

In certain cases where this cannot be controlled it may be necessary to provide appropriate soft flexible protection.

· Avoid off center loads.

Use of unsecured headers above lifting equipment should beavoided as the risk of them being displaced does exist.

Equipment handling

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C – Hydraulic equipment

Hydraulic equipment such as spreaders, cutters, rams and jacks play an importantrole in various technical rescue situations. The following general points should always beconsidered, no matter what technical rescue discipline these tools are being used for.

· Tools should only be carried and operated using the designated handles and controls.

· Never put your hands on the blades, arms or heads of any of these tools.

· Do not use the hoses to carry, pull or move the tool or pump.

Equipment handling

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Using standard terminology such as this will dramatically increase team efficiency aswell as remove any chance of misunderstandings that may lead to unsafe actions. Using theHolmatro® PowerShore™ Emergency Shoring System as an example, we will have a closerlook at each of these components and identify which of the different components are bestsuited to different shoring situations.

Don’t be concerned if you still do not fully understand the application of every pieceof equipment by the end of this chapter. The chapters to follow will give step-by-step examplesof their use. Of course you can always come back to this chapter at any time while goingthrough the examples to see what system would be best to use.

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To allow for good communication during shoring and lifting operations all rescuers onthe scene should use standard equipment terminology. The following labeled diagram displays the terminology that will be used throughout this book when discussing shoring.

Terminology

holmatro

holmatro heads

strut

extension

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Variations in strut types occur due tothe different combinations of locking and operation systems available. There are threedifferent types of operating systems forstruts. These are hydraulic, pneumatic andmanual. There are also two types of lockingsystems for struts. These are Auto-lock andLocknut locking systems (which are similar innature to the pin and collar systems).

These 3 operating and 2 locking system combinations make the possibility for 5 different types of struts.

Struts

Automatic lockingHydraulic Auto-lock strut

Pneumatic Auto-lockstrut

Manual Auto-lockstruts do not exist

Locknut locking HydraulicLocknut strut

PneumaticLocknut strut

Manual Locknutstrut

Hydraulic (Oil) Pneumatic (Air) Manual

All of the struts can be used with any of the extensions and heads. The whole system, from struts through to extensions and heads, is universally compatible. This meansthat any number of combinations can be used to develop the exact system required to shorea particular environment.

holm

atro

holm

atro

holm

atro

ho

lma

tro

hydraulicpneumatic

Strut operating systems

Auto-lock locking system Locknut locking system

manual

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A - Manual struts

These are the simplest of the strut types even though they have the same ratedstrength as all the other types. The difference between this strut type and the others is thatthey are extended and retracted manually. The advantage of this is that there is no need forcompressed air or hydraulic pressure to open these struts. This also however, means thatthese struts cannot be extended from a remote location (remote shoring). For this reason,this type of strut is not supplied in an automatic locking (Auto-lock) type strut.

Struts

The use of manual struts is in most cases limited to structural collapse environmentsor simple vehicle shoring scenarios where no remote shoring requirements exist.

Simple vehicle shoring application with manual struts

Manual struts in window Securing a manual strut in a doorway

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Manual threaded type:

this strut has a very small retractedlength and is ideal for shoring small gaps or anysituation where a small insertion space is required.

Manual Locknut type:

this strut has the same Locknut system and stroke as available on the hydraulic andpneumatic strut types.

Struts

No air or hydraulic supply needs to be used to secure a manual strut type

The biggest advantage of the manual strut system is the fact that there is no needfor a supply of compressed air or a hydraulic pump to operate it. This means that it can beused in any remote area or confined space without any need for hoses or pumps to set thesystem in place. As seen in the picture a hook wrench can be used to tighten the strut inplace.

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B - Pneumatic struts

These struts can be used with compressed air in situations were remote shoring orfollow-up shoring is required. The Locknut type struts can also be used as manual strutswhere no compressed air is available or required or where remote shoring is not necessary.

Struts

Remote shoring used in trench rescue

Follow-up shoring used to back up a lifting bag

Remote shoring: the process by which a shore is positioned in an unsafe area and thenextended from a remote safe location by either pneumatic or hydraulic pressure.

Follow-up shoring: shoring used to followa load that is being lifted by other mechanisms such as lifting bags. This shoring is extended and locks automatically (due to compressed air inside the strut) as the load is lifted. It isintended to hold the load in the event oflifting system failure. It is important toremember that the shore is only totallysafe when the locking mechanism isengaged.

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Pneumatic Auto-lock type:

the automatic locking system of this strut makes it possible to perform remote shoring. It is, however, not suitable for use in inflexible spaces such as in most building shoring situations. In this environment the force needed to set the automatic locking systemmay disturb the balance of forces already in place.

This strut is very useful for follow-up shoring of heavy lift operations or in trenchrescue where remote shoring is required.

Pneumatic Locknut type:

makes use of a Locknut system for mechanically locking the extended strut. ThisLocknut system is the same as the one used on the hydraulic and manual Locknut struts.

This is a very universal strut and canbe used for vehicle, trench or structural collapse shoring. This type of strut can also beused for follow-up shoring during heavy liftoperations but does not allow for remote shoring (it does not automatically lock). In other words, the rescuers will have to physically secure the Locknut themselves asthe strut extends.

Struts

Rescuer securing the Locknut

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C – Hydraulic struts

Hydraulic struts are the most versatile of all the strut types. The reason for this isthe combination of a shoring system with the ability to perform lift operations. These strutsare a little heavier than their pneumatic and manual counterparts but have various advantages in terms of multiple applications.

Struts

The hydraulic lifting capacity of thesestruts means that they can be deployed in avariety of lifting operations from heavy vehiclerescue through to lifting concrete or other barriers in a structural collapse environment.With proper training, the hydraulic Locknuttype strut can also be safely used for shoringin non-movable or inflexible shoring environments such as doorway or windowshores. In this situation it is important thatoperators understand the importance of notcreating any lifting forces that may destabilizethe building.

Hydraulic strut used in heavy rescue situation

Hydraulic shores carefully used in aninflexible structural collapse situation

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Hydraulic Auto-lock type:

the automatic locking system of this strut makes it possible to perform remote shoring. It is, however, not suitable for use in non-movable or inflexible shoring environments(see page 23) for example, in building shoring. In this situation the force used to set the automatic locking system may disturb the balance of forces in place. This system should notbe used where a lifting force may disturb the stability of the situation.

This strut is very useful for follow-up shoring of heavy lift operations. It even has theability, when used together with a second hydraulic strut that acts as a backup, to performthe lifting and shoring simultaneously.

Struts

Hydraulic Auto-lock strut being used for combined shoring/lifting operation

In trench rescue, where remote shoring is required, these struts can also be used.However they are a little heavier than the pneumatic type.

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StrutsHydraulic Locknut strut:

the Locknut system used on this hydraulic strut is exactly the same as on the equivalent pneumatic and manual struts. This strut can however only be extended using thehydraulic pump, unlike the pneumatic type struts that can be extended manually as well aswith a compressed air system.

This is a very universal strut and can be used in vehicle stabilization and trench orbuilding collapse shoring. This strut can also be used together with a second hydraulic strut,to perform lifting and shoring simultaneously. In trench rescue, where remote shoring is required, these struts can also be used. It should be noted though that they are a little heavier than the pneumatic type. This is however the only strut type that can be used forremote de-shoring.

Both hydraulic strut types require a hand pumpto extend them. This may seem troublesome butremember that it is this same hydraulic pressure thatmakes it possible to provide a 10 t. / 22,000 lbs liftingcapacity. This is an advantage which, in most cases, outweighs any difficulties of having a pump attached for extension. Each pump also has a gauge on it, allowingthe operator to know exactly how much lifting forceis being exerted and what the limits are if working over a certain length shore. Thisissue of load capacity in relation to shorelength is covered in more detail on page 28.

Remote de-shoring: the process by which a shore that is positioned in an unsafe area canbe removed working from a remote safe location. This is done by retracting the strut in acontrolled manner using the hydraulic pump. The Locknut will need to be released for thistechnique to be used.

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The following table illustrates which struts are suitable in different applications.

Strut application comparison

Manual Locknut strut Pneumatic Locknut strut

Heavy vehiclerescuestabilization withlifting operations

Can be used for stabilization when usinglifting bags or jacks for lifting.

This strut type has nolifting capacity whichlimits its use in this application.

Can be used for stabilization when usinglifting bags or jacks for lifting. Can be used formanual follow-up shoring.

This strut type has limited lifting capacity.

Collapsedstructure liftingoperations

Can be used for stabilization when usinglifting bags or jacks for lifting.

This strut type has nolifting capacity whichlimits its use in this application.

Can be used for stabilization when usinglifting bags or jacks for lifting. Can be used formanual follow-up shoring.


Collapsedstructureshoring

Good strut for this application. Especiallywhen working in confinedspaces.

Good strut for this application when usedwithout air supply (as a manual strut).

Trench rescueshoring

Good strut for this application. Especiallywhen working in narrowtrenches, and when usedfor secondary /replacement shoring.

Good strut for this application. This strut typecan be well used forsecondary / replacementshoring.

Light vehicle rescuestabilization /backup shoring

Good strut for thisapplication.

Good strut for thisapplication.

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Pneumatic Auto-lock strut Hydraulic Locknut strut Hydraulic Auto-lock strut

Can be used for stabilization when usinglifting bags or jacks for lifting. Can be used forautomatic follow-up shoring.


Good strut for this application. Can be usedfor lifting and stabilization in one.

Good strut for this application. Can be usedfor lifting and stabilizationin one. This strut can beused for remote shoringand lifting.

Can be used for stabilization when usinglifting bags or jacks for lifting. Can be used forautomatic follow-up shoring.




Not suitable forthis application.

Good strut for this application. Does howeverrequire well trained useraware of lifting capacity.

Not suitable forthis application.

Good strut for thisapplication. This strut can be used for remoteshoring.



Can be used for thisapplication.



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For the PowerShoreTM system, extensionpieces are used to customize the lengthof the shore you are creating.Any of the extensions canbe used with any of thestruts and heads. Eachextension is color codedso that it can be easilyidentified.

The overall strength of the system is dependent on the total length once it is in place.The graph below shows how, up until 1.325 m / 53 in. the strength of the system created will have a maximum capacity of 100 kN or 10 t. / 22,000 lbs. After this, the shore will gradually begin to lose load bearing capacity as the system is lengthened, with a limit of 4.5 m / 180 in. shown. Shores built on the basis of this graph will provide a 4:1 safety factor.


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Length extensions

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There are various types of heads that can be used to create your shoring system.Different heads can be used depending on the environment and type of system you need tocreate. The following table gives a breakdown of some of the applications for the differenthead types.

Heads

Tilting heads:This is probably the most universal of all head types. Theycan be used at different angles in a variety of directions.Tilting heads often have nailing holes so can be usedwhere nailing to a header or footer is required.

Swivel heads:These heads have interlocking mechanisms that allow themto be used together with more than one of the same typeof head for different shoring systems that can redirectforces at different angles. These heads are generally usedin combination with a base plate.

Cross heads:These heads grip well on the underside of vehicles and areoften used in systems for the stabilization of vehicles ontheir sides.

Beam support heads:These types of heads are mostly used in structural collapseshoring operations. They normally support 10x10 mm / 4x4 in.or 10x15 mm / 4x6 in. timber and have nailing holes. In somecases they can also be used in heavy lifting operations where atimber header is used to spread the lifting force of the strut.

V-block heads:These V-block heads are generally used in vehicle rescuewhere they do a good job of gripping onto inverted vehiclesills. They can also be used in other situations forsupporting utilities such as pipes.

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A - MAPS approachFor a good approach to creating a shoring system we should always follow the

MAPS system.

Measure – Either by actual measurement or by simplyassessing the length of shores you will need.

Building up a shore

Assemble - Build up your shores in a safe location away from any hazards.

Position – The assembled shores are thenmoved into place in the working area.

Secure – The shores are opened slightly untilthey perfectly fit the location for which they areintended.

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B- Shore assembly

When assembling a shore, the first thing to remember is the terminology as discussed earlier (page 17). We can only consider a shore complete when it has been correctly assembled using the most appropriate strut, heads and where necessary, extensions. In considering the actual assembly of the shore there are a few essential stepsthat must be followed.

1. Choose the most appropriate struts for the application for which you will be usingthe shore. (See strut application comparison on pages 26-27).

2. Select the heads you will require for the situation. (See table of head types on page 29).

Building up a shore

holmatro

holmatro holmatroholmatro

holmatroholmatro holmatro

holmatro holmatro

holmatro holmatro

holmatro

3. Choose the length of extension you require. Remember to always use as much extension as necessary to save the stroke of the strut for any adjustments or lifting you may need to do.

Always remember to use the least amount of separate extension pipes to create theextension length you need. This will keep the complete shore lighter.

Always keep the shortest extension pipes at the end of the shore and not in themiddle. This makes it easier to adjust length and decreases susceptibility to side loads.

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32

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There are many different types of rescue equipment that can be used for lifting operations. In this chapter we will limit our discussion to those pieces of equipment that aresolely designed for the purpose of lifting heavy loads from the ground up. These are:

• Lifting bags- High pressure low volume- Low pressure high volume

• Hydraulic wedge jacks

• Rescue lifting jacks

• Hydraulic shores

Hydraulic shores can be used for lifting loads and have the advantage of being ableto be used for shoring at the same time. These struts have been discussed in the previouschapter.

It should be said that there are various other pieces of equipment such as spreadersthat can also be used for heavy lifting. These will however be discussed in the Hydraulic AssistEquipment chapter.

Introduction

Staged lifting equipment

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There are several types of lifting bags available to rescuers. The most widely usedare high pressure low volume bags and low pressure high volume bags. Both these are useful in different rescue situations.

A – High pressure lifting bags

High pressure low volume lifting bags, commonly called high pressure lifting bags,work on a pneumatic system of 8 bar / 116 psi pressure. These bags, available in varioussizes, are exceptionally versatile and very robust in design. They are primarily used in situations where lifting heavy loads with a very small initial insertion space is required. Theyare also very useful in situations where small working spaces limit the use of larger handtools and other lifting devices.

Lifting bags

Lifting bag used in small insertion space created by a hydraulic wedge

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B – Low pressure lifting bags

Low pressure high volume lifting bags, normally referred to as low pressure bags,make use of more air to affect a lift. These bags work on a 0.5 bar / 7.25 psi pneumatic system and use the large surface area of the bag to create lift. They are useful in those situations where lifting or stabilizing of heavyloads with large surface areas is needed.

They are especially useful onsoft or uneven terrain. These bags arealso used in certain trench rescue incidents. Available in different sizes,these bags are most often used in setsof two side by side to increase stability.

Lifting bags

Low pressure lifting bag used over the largesurface area of the side of a tanker

Low pressure lifting bags used on soft ground

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A hydraulic wedge jack, sometimes referred to as a power wedge, is an exceptionallyuseful auxiliary tool.

Its ability to create a 50 mm / 2 in. opening from an insertion space of only 6 mm / 0.25 in.means that it is able to create opportunities to use high pressure lifting bags where thiswould otherwise not be possible. The hydraulic wedge jack can also be used for forcing opencertain types of doors.

Hydraulic wedge jack

Wedge jack creating space for high pressure lifting bag

Working action of a wedge jack

Wedge jack used to forceopen a rolling door

The wedge jack works by pushing a wedge out of the tool between two narrow hardened plates. This creates over 20 tons of lift force between these plates.

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Hydraulic lifting jacks have been used for many years in industrial applications. Despite their simple design, liftingjacks are very useful rescue tools. These jacks havebeen optimized for use by rescue professionals.

Jacks are often used in sets of two with one jack proportionally smaller than theother. This allows for progressivelifting from one jack to the next.

Toe jacks are also commonlyused by technical rescue teams.These jacks were originally designed for use on trams buttheir toe design gives them theadded versatility of being a lowand high clearance jack in one.

Lifting jacks

Two proportionally sized lifting jacks used for progressive lifting

Toe jack used for lowclearance lift

Toe jack used for highclearance lift

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The large majority of the hydraulic rescue tools are double acting. This means thatthey have the ability to create force on both opening and closing. Double acting equipment isusually powered by a portable pump connected to the tools by a hose system. In a coaxialhose system such as the Holmatro R CORETM system this may appear to be a single hose.However, there are in fact 2 hoses in the system, one providing hydraulic power to the toolinside the one taking returning hydraulic oil back to the pump.

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A wide variety of hydraulic rescue tools are available for assisting the rescuer duringemergency shoring and lifting operations. These include simple single acting jacks through toadvanced specially designed cutting tools for dealing with advanced vehicle construction. Forthe purpose of this book only the basic tools used to assist in lifting and shoring operationswill be covered. For a more detailed review of hydraulic equipment used for extrication rescuetake a look at Holmatro’s Vehicle Extrication Techniques.

Introduction

Hydraulic double acting hose systems: CORETM above, traditional below

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Spreaders’ functions include spreading, squeezing and pulling, makingthem useful for all sorts of rescue situations. While they are mostly used forvehicle extrication, a heavy duty spreader is often seen as an essentialpiece of equipment for general technical rescue applications. By using different tips, a spreader can be transformed into a powerful squeezing,pulling, cutting or lifting tool.

Spreaders

Spreader used for space creation

Cutting tips used on a spreader

Extra caution should be used when lifting with a spreader aslimited points of contact can lead to instability. A load lifted witha spreader should always be chocked.

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CuttersHydraulic cutters are available in various shapes and sizes. Larger heavy duty type

cutters are well suited to cutting strong and often bulky components of vehicles. To this enda good hydraulic cutter is considered an essential piece of any complete rescue equipmentset.

Smaller, more portable mini type cutters are also useful in the emergency shoringand lifting environment. These cutters can be used to cut locks or reinforcement type bars inhard to reach locations where space is often limited. This type of mini cutter is also growingin popularity among technical rescue teams due to its versatility.

Mini cutter cutting hardened chain

Mini cutter cutting reinforcement bars

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Rams

If lifting with a ram is unavoidable always be sure to chockthe load as you lift.

Rams are primarily used in vehicle extrication rescue for pushing vehicle componentsaway from trapped patients. They can of course be used anywhere where there is a need forpushing power over large distances. When fitted with different heads, some rams (check withyour supplier) can also be used with chains as a pulling tool.

In general a ram is not considered to be a lifting tool. In this regard the use of ramsfor long distance lifting should be avoided as any shift of the load may lead to extensive damage to the ram if the piston is bent. It is also important to remember that rams do nothave mechanical locks so are always reliant on the maintenance of hydraulic pressure to holdthe load.

Ram with pulling head attached(not all rams have the ability to pull)

Mini telescopic ram used for space creation

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Combination tools

Extra caution should be used when lifting with a combi tool aslimited points of contact can lead to instability. A load lifted witha combi tool should always be chocked.

Combination tools, better known as combi tools, combine several functions in one tool.

The biggest advantage of such a tool is the fact that spreading, lifting, squeezing andcutting can be done without having to change tools. It should also be mentioned however, thatcombi tools have less capacity than dedicated cutters and spreaders. This means that in certain cases a dedicated spreader or cutter may still need to be used. The use of accessories for pulling with chains is also possible on a combi-tool.

Combi tool used for lifting Battery combi tool used for cutting

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Self-contained hydraulic toolsSelf-contained hydraulic tools have become increasingly popular in the past years.

These tools are usually driven by either built in hand operated pumps or through the use ofbattery technology. Battery technology has advanced significantly in the past few years. Thismeans that running hydraulic tools with electrical motors powered by battery technology ismore effective than before. It has of course always been possible to run tools off batteries,but before now this would have required a large battery, less practical for the rescue scene.

Completely self-contained hydraulic tools (whether battery or manually driven) arevery useful for work in remote or difficult to reach places. They have become common placepieces of equipment in most urban search and rescue (USAR) teams.

Self-contained tool used in USAR environment

Self-contained combi tool used for cutting

Self-contained tool carried overdifficult terrain

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Hydraulic pumps are available in a variety of types. Petroldriven pumps are however the most popular. New technologyused in these pumps makes them lighter, more portableand quieter than previous models.

Hand and foot operated pumps make good backup systems and can also be used in those environmentswhere operation of another sort of pump is not possible. For hydraulic shoring operations only handpumps may be used. This is due to the fact thathydraulic shoring requires precise control which is notpossible with a conventional motor driven pump.

Hydraulic pumps

Light weight pump - easy tocarry to the scene

Single acting hand pumps used with hydraulic shoring for fine control of lifting

Foot pump used with wedge jack

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47

Good care of equipment on a regular basis will greatly increase the useable life ofyour equipment and will also ensure its proper function when you really need it. To this end,equipment care and maintenance should be incorporated into all training programs.

It should be mentioned that regular user maintenance and inspection does not replace the need for periodic factory authorized service of your rescue equipment. In general,annual inspection and service of your equipment should be performed by a manufacturer certified technician. The equipment will be tested and the necessary routine maintenance,such as the changing of fluids, will be done.

It is also important to remember that a rescuer’s care and maintenance does not include making repairs. Damaged or faulty equipment requires the attention of a manufacturer certified technician.

Introduction

Equipment being serviced by a technician in a mobile workshop

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The following represents an overview of day-to-day care of the different equipmentgroups discussed in this book. This chapter should in no way be seen as a complete discussion of all maintenance issues surrounding all the different pieces of equipment available. Always consult your users’ manual for complete instructions on care and maintenance. Equipment manufacturers should always be able to provide you with more detailed descriptions of product specific care and maintenance issues.

A - Shoring

· Check that all parts are clean and free of damage, including couplings, either air or hydraulic.

· It is especially important with automatic lock type shores to make sure the threads are clean and free of damage. In the case of pin and collar systems, make sure that all pins and other loose parts are properly attached. Locking mechanisms should also be tested, making sure they are functioning properly.

· Other auxiliary equipment to your shoring, such as hydraulic hand pumps or pressurized air regulators, should also be inspected.

Over and above this regular care, it is strongly advised that shoring equipment be inspected by an authorized technician on an annual basis.

Care & maintenance

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B - Lifting bags

· Check the general condition of the bag:- Remove any glass or other minor

debris that has splintered into the surface.

- Bags should be kept clean using only soap and water.

· Bags must be removed from service if there are any signs of damage or significant wear. Including but not limited to:- The non-slip surface being worn away.- Presence of cuts or punctures.- Aramid inlay threads are visible.

· Check the condition of the connection nipple. Worn or damaged nipples can lead to a bad connection.

Other than these, an annual inspection by anauthorized technician is strongly advised.

C – Hydraulic assist equipment

For a more detailed discussion on the care and maintenance considerations forhydraulic equipment, take a look at the “Equipment care” chapter of Holmatro’s VehicleExtrication Techniques. The following points represent an absolute minimum of what will berequired by the manufacturer:

· Regularly visually inspect components for external damage.

· Check all fluid levels on pumps.

· Keep all equipment clean and free of damage, including hoses and couplers.

· All tools should be left with their arms, blades or pistons in the safe position i.e. slightly open, not under pressure.

Care & maintenance

Any worn or damaged hose should be immediately removed from service.

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When shoring equipment is used for stabilization of lifted loads, the principle of working within an established triangle of stability should be applied. This means that the shoring system one makes should always be assembled and positioned in a way that willensure it is capturing any potential destabilizing forces.

In this first theoretical diagram we see that a lift anglestrait upwards (90°) will be veryeffective at lifting. At this angle allof the opening stroke of the shorewill contribute directly to the lift. Atthe same time however a 90° angledoes not provide any stabilityagainst lateral movement.

By using angles during lifting we create a more stable situation. A shore angled between 45° and 60° protects against lateral movements. As we see in the theoretical diagram below, three angled lifting forces may not be as effective at lifting, (they loose somelifting force acting against each other and not all lifting stroke contributes to the actual lift)but do act against the potential destabilizing lateral forces.

In reality, most lifting performed during rescue operations is actually a type of tilting.In other words, we are not trying to completely lift a load off the ground. This is good news,as lifting something completely off the ground will often lead to a very unstable situation (Seenext chapter on center of gravity). When performing such lifting operations, it is important notto forget the need for control of the lateral forces as seen in the theoretical diagrams above.

Triangle of stability

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In the case of a tilt situation, whether lifting or stabilizing, it is usually best to controllateral forces by using connection straps between the base of your shore(s) and the objectyou are stabilizing / lifting. When creating this network of straps it is important to control allthe potential forces. This is best done by creating a sort of triangle in which you can worksafely with your shore. By using the two diagrams below as examples we will discuss how thestraps between the shores and the object, control all potential Horizontal and Lateral forces.

Triangle of stability

Horizontal forces· Straps used to close the triangle of forces stop the bottom of the load from

being pushed away from the strut.· They also stop the base(s) of the strut from being pushed away from the load.

Lateral forces· Straps used to close the triangle of forces stop the load from moving from

side to side.· They also stop the base(s) of the shoring from slipping to one side or the other.

The importance of creating and working within this triangle of stability is critical to successful application of a shoring system. This is especially true in vehicle rescue whereloads can easily move especially when wheels are still in contact with the ground.

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Another important principle of load management is the consideration of a load’s center of gravity. Top-heavy loads are particularly vulnerable to tipping over. This is all themore true if these loads are lifted. Understanding where the approximate center of gravity of a load lies will help the rescuer choose the best possible placement and use of their stabilizing and / or lifting equipment. In some cases estimating the center of gravity can becomplicated. For this reason, principles such as using points of connection as high as possible on the load are helpful.

It is well understood that lifting a load from a pointof attachment above the center of gravity is going to provide the most efficient lift. In terms of stability however, this lifting from above canlead to uncontrolled movement, especiallyat the point where the load leaves theground. Of course, in some cases sucha lift is just not possible or practical. Inthese cases it becomes necessary to liftfrom below.

When lifting or tilting from below, the rescuer should try to make the point of attachment as high as practically possible. This should ideally be in line with or just above the center of gravity. Again this may not always be possible, in which case extra consideration for destabilizing lateral forces (as discussed earlier) should be controlled and / or closely monitored.

A further consideration when stabilizing or lifting loads from two sides is to line up your pointsof attachment. As one can see in the diagrams below, points of attachment that are not linedup tend to cause the load to shift laterally rather than lifting up and / or stabilizing the load.

Center of gravity

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In the case of a collision, vehicles often come to rest in unusual positions. With theunderstanding that movement of the vehicle during rescue efforts may lead to further injuryof those trapped inside, it becomes very important to be able to rapidly stabilize a vehicle inthe position it is found in before extrication rescue efforts can begin on the vehicle.

It is important that we firstly develop a clear understanding of the difference between securing a vehicle and stabilizing a vehicle. Let’s for instance take the example ofa car on its side. If we simply tie this vehicle off with some rope this may well secure thevehicle (in that it would not fall over) but it would not be stable. In order to truly stabilize avehicle we have to create ground up stabilization that will ensure the vehicle will not movedue to any of our extrication efforts. Once this has been achieved one can say that thevehicle is stabilized.

Some of the procedures covered in this chapter can also be found in the bookHolmatro’s Vehicle Extrication Techniques. The focus of this book is however more on stabilization requiring shoring. If you would like to know more about basic stabilization or howto perform extrication after stabilization take a look at Holmatro’s Vehicle ExtricationTechniques.

Introduction

Shored tanker in under-run situation

A stabilized vehicle is one that will not move as a result of normal extrication rescue procedures applied to it.

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OBJECTIVE:To minimize movement of the vehicle, that may negatively affect

trapped patients or injure rescuers.

SITUATION ASSESSMENT:Special attention should always be given to potential hazards. In this

case (vehicle on its side) this can include dangerous fluids that may haveleaked out of the vehicle due to its position.

Vehicle on its side

THE PROCEDURE:

STRUT CHOICE: a good strut type for this application is a basic manual strut (see pages 26-27).

To ensure the vehicle will not roll towards its roof side, start by supporting it under the A and C pillars.

Think ahead, avoid placing stabilization inareas where youare likely to needto cut laterduring the extrication.

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Vehicle on its side

Now place a base for your shore on the other sideof the vehicle.

It may also be useful to preposition the tensionstraps you will need later to secure the base of your shore.

Next, position your shore between the vehicle and the base.

Remember to pay attention tothe point of contact between thevehicle and your shore ensuringa stable point of contact. Across head usually works bestfor this.

Finally, secure your shore by tightening the tension straps between the base and the vehicle. At the same time recheck your chocks on the other side.

Remember to consider triangulation of the forces in yoursystem, see pages 51-53 for more details.

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Vehicle on its side

It is important to have stable contactpoints between the vehicle and your straps. Also always try to attach your straps as low as possible.

In some cases it may also be necessary to stabilize the top / roof side of the vehicle.

By using two hydraulic struts it isalso possible to lift a vehicle on itsside in a very controlled mannerso as to free a trapped limb.

No matter what type of stabilization system is created, theprinciple of the triangle of forces should always be followed.See pages 51-53.

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Vehicle on its roof

OBJECTIVE:To minimize movement of the vehicle, that may negatively affect

trapped patients or injure rescuers.

SITUATION ASSESSMENT:Special attention should always be given to potential hazards. In this

case (vehicle on its roof) this can include dangerous fluids that may haveleaked out of the vehicle due to its position.

holm

atro

holm

atro

THE PROCEDURE:

STRUT CHOICE: a good strut type for this application is a hydraulic Auto-lock type (see pages 26-27).

Chock the space between the roof of the vehicle and the ground. This may be easiestwith inverted stepchocks.

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Vehicle on its roof

In some cases it may be necessary to addadditional blocks between the engine compartment and the windshield for addedstability.

The pillars of a vehicle on its roof are, in most cases, supporting the weight of the underside of the car.

For this reason, shoring to take over thissupport should be applied before cuttingany of the pillars to create space.

By using the tension straps attached to the base of your shores in combinationwith the opening ofthe shores, the system should besecured.

Remember to consider triangulation of the forces in yoursystem, see pages 51-52 for more details.

Remember not to use too much of the stroke of your shoresthat you may need later during space creation.

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Vehicle on its roof

It should now be possible to make any cutsthrough pillars that may be necessary for space creation.

If components of the vehicle will be lifted with the ram to create space, the change in height should be secured by following up with the struts.

When the space has been created and the shores are locked in place. Detach and remove any unnecessaryhoses that may be tripped over.

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Large vehicle stabilization

OBJECTIVE:To stabilize large vehicles that are not positioned in their normal

orientation (not on all wheels or unevenly loaded).

SITUATION ASSESSMENT:Always consider the load that a heavy goods vehicle may be

carrying. Also think about how your movement of a truck may affect thisload. Finally remember that large vehicles normally have heavy suspensionwith a large amount of travel which can complicate stabilization and lifting.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS:

STRUT CHOICE: a good strut type for this application is a hydraulic Locknut type (see pages 26-27).

These types of rescue situationscan vary significantly. For thisreason a range of importantconsiderations are given ratherthan a step by step procedure.

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When it is time to begin stabilizing the vehicle, always begin by chocking anywheels that are still touching the ground.

It is also important to strap down components of the vehicle or load that may move during rescue efforts.

Consider, for instance, a floating cabin on a heavy goods vehicle.

Before deciding on shoringplacement, it is good to getan overview of the situationallowing one to better understand where the centerof gravity lies and what typeof load shifts may occur.

Don’t forget the large suspension normally found on thesevehicles. Wheels touching the ground may not be fully loaded, and so may easily roll.

Always begin with an initial safety assessment consideringany hazards to your approach.

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With a good understanding of the different forces at play in your situation, it will now bepossible to construct the best shoring system to support the load.

Always start with the base plate, making sure, by using tension straps, that you control all possible horizontal and lateral forces within the triangle of stability (see pages 51-52).

When considering assembly of your shores, make rough measurements first. This will help the rescuer maximize the use of shore stroke for any adjusting that may be requiredlater.

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When positioning your shores consider the most appropriate angle (seepages 51-52).

It is best to use a swiveltype head in this situation so that theload will always be directed through the axisof your shore.

Once you have positioned your shores always be sure to take up all the slack in the straps connected to the baseof your shore.

Always remember to construct shores to replace the integrity of vehicles structure (such as a roof) that is going to be cut away during the rescue effort.

Use a minimum of two shores. This helps balance the loadbeing shored as well as providing a back up.

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Large vehicle lifting

OBJECTIVE:To tilt or lift the weight of a large vehicle in such a way as to allow

extrication of entrapped persons.

SITUATION ASSESSMENT:Always consider the load that a heavy goods vehicle may be

carrying. Also think about how your movement of a truck may affect thisload. Finally remember that large vehicles normally have heavy suspensionwith a large amount of travel which can complicate stabilization and lifting.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS:

STRUT CHOICE: a good strut type for this application is a hydraulic Locknut type (see pages 26-27).

The need for lifting large vehiclesis not limited to trucks. While atruck vs. car under-run is used inthis step by step approach, theprinciples discussed can beapplied to a host of other liftingrescue situations.

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After the initial assessments, always start by properly chocking any wheels in contactwith the ground. This includes both the vehicle to be lifted and the vehicle trapped below.

The next step requires the strategic placement of your shoring system’s bases. These should be secured using a network of straps between the bases andthe vehicle that will be lifted.

To ensure the best use of availablestroke for lifting, make roughmeasurements of the shore length youwill need before assembling yourshore.

Always begin with an initial safety assessment consideringany hazards to your approach.

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As discussed in the chapter on load management (see pages 51-53), a good balance between the ideal lifting and stabilizing angle of your shoringsystem will have to be chosen.

Always remember to consider the final result of your intended lift, bearing in mind that the angle and length of your shores will change as the lift is performed.

Once the shores are in place at theappropriate angle, all slack should betaken out of the tension straps betweenthe shores’ bases.

Before beginning to lift the load,always recheck the chocking ofwheels still in contact with the ground.It is also good to post rescuers at different locations around the load to check for any abnormal movementduring the lift.

Use a minimum of two shores. This helps balance the loadbeing lifted as well as providing a backup.

Never move under an unsecured load. When working nearan unstable load always work on one knee, allowing one to move away quickly if required.

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Large vehicle liftingCoordination of the lifting process should be controlled by one assigned rescuer from a position with a good view of the full lifting process.

All lifted loads need to be secured. This can be done using chocks and blocks however this may be impractical when dealing with large distances. Shoring is more efficientand effective for this task.

Mechanical locking of shores should bedone at the same time on both sides. This will help avoid rollover if there is failureof the lifting system.

When locking the shores be sure to grip the locknut from below so as to avoid a pinchhazard.

Throughout the lifting processrecheck the chocks.

Only lift the load as much asnecessary to achieve the rescue.

No shored load is secure until it is mechanically locked.

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It is important that we understand why and where emergency shoring is required onthe rescue scene. Shoring by industrial standards is the temporary support of structuresduring construction and / or demolition etc. in order to provide stability that will protect property as well as workers and the public. Emergency rescue shoring on the other hand is a temporary support of only those parts of the structure required to perform search and rescue operations at a reduced risk to patients and rescuers. Emergency shoring is generally built using systems that can be assembled and deployed rapidly.

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This chapter gives insight into the basic applications of emergency shoring and liftingin collapsed structure environments. For each specific application type a detailed explanationof the build up and use of the PowerShoreTM system is provided. Details on secondary extensive shoring such as raker systems, secondary timber shores or more long term industrial type shoring are not discussed as they fall outside the scope of this book. This bookfocuses on initial emergency shoring.

The main aim of any emergency shoring is to create a rapid safe area for emergencyoperations. Bearing in mind that rescue operations may already be on the go when the emergency team arrives the two main goals of emergency shoring are:

· to protect access and exit routes to and from trapped patients

· to create safe working areas around emergency operations that canlater, if necessary, be replaced by secondary shoring.

Introduction

Shores built to protect a rescue scene

Spot shore used to protect an exit route

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Working in and around collapsed structures is inherently dangerous. The followingdiagram highlights some of the many safety considerations when working in such an environment.

Collapsed structure safety

Heavy items on the roof such as air-conditioning units or largewater tanks may fall off or through a damaged roof.

Sections of floor or wall panels mayonly be hanging from rebar and likely

to fall.

Broken glass from windows may fallwith even the slightest wind.

Secondary explosions or aftershocksmay lead to additional fallingobjects, but may also lead

to further collapse.

Broken gas and water lines will be hazards.

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Cables supplying electricity to the building may be damaged leading to an electrical hazard.

Various loose items such assigns or panels may fall.

Damaged columns are a signof heavy structural damage.

In an effort to control movement in and out the hazardous area, always enforce the use of working zones. The inner, or action zone, is for rescuers actively involved in rescueoperations; the secondary zone is reserved for all other emergency personnel. All non-emergency service persons should be kept clear of these two zones.

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Just because it is emergency shoring does not mean it can be assembled in an inferior or unsafe way. All emergency shoring should be built using the same engineering principles as found in more extensive secondary shoring. The only difference is that emergency shoring needs to be rapidly assembled and deployed.

A shoring system should be like a double funnel or wine glass. It needs to collect theload at the top of the shore, redirect that load through the shore and then finally redistributethe load on a stable surface below or at the other end of the shore.

Depending on the nature and amount of structural damage to the building or structure you are working on, varying amounts and types of shores may be required. Your specialized “Collapsed Structure Rescue Team” or “Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team”should have a structural specialist to help make the calculations of how many and what typeof shores will be required.

Timber is normally used at the top and / or bottom of your emergency shoring system to collect and distribute the load according to the double funnel principle. In additionsome consider timber to also act as an audible or visual warning of increased load as itdeforms.

Principles of emergency shoring

Wherever possible use timber between your shore and the damaged structure.

loadcollection

loadredirection

loadredistribution

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Window / doorway shores

OBJECTIVE:To support openings in walls thus creating a safe access and / or exit

route for rescuers. These shores may later be replaced with secondary shoring.

SITUATION ASSESSMENT:They may also be used in buildings where door or window headers

have been damaged. This type of shore should be built up in a safe area andthen moved into place.

THE PROCEDURE:

STRUT CHOICE: a good strut type for this application is any Locknut type strut (see pages 26-27).

This shore system makes use of two shoreswith one header and footer the width of theopening. The shore system should be assembled in a safe area and then movedinto place.

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First make rough measurements or estimations of the width of the opening.

On the basis of this, cut or choose twopieces of wood to use as the headerand footer of the system.

After placing the header and footer on top of eachother in the opening, measure the length of shorerequired.

Now select the appropriate struts andextensions for the measured space andassemble two shores of the same length.

Auto-lock struts should not be used for this type of shore(see pages 26-27).

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Now that the shores are assembled, nail the heads to either end of the woodheader ensuring the shores remain parallel.

In some cases it may be helpful to leavespace to the outside of the shores toallow secondary shoring later if required.A wood footer can be prepared in thesame way.

The assembled shore system can nowbe moved into place.

Now extend and lock the shores in placeusing the required system.

Manual system used.

Hydraulic system used.


Remember never to lift or push with a shore system in a collapsed structure environment.

Always position any air or hydraulic connection points tothe outside of the window or doorway.

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“T” / Spot shores

OBJECTIVE:To provide initial stabilization of dangerous areas where fully braced

systems (such as column shores) may be constructed later.

SITUATION ASSESSMENT:The exact number of T / spot shores required to stabilize a certain

area will have to be calculated to ensure that the correct amount of stabilization is achieved. The structural specialist on your team will be ableto help with these calculations.

THE PROCEDURE:

STRUT CHOICE: a good strut type for this application is any Locknut type strut (see pages 26-27).

This type of shore should be assembled in a safe area andthen moved into place. They are normally installed with woodabove and below to spread the load.

Depending on the nature of theground you are working on, it may bebest to make use of tilting heads atthe base.

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First make rough measurementsor estimations of the shore length needed.

If a doorway shore is already in place, a measurement of the extra length to the roof can be added to the height of the doorway shore.

Now select the appropriate struts andextensions for the measured space andassemble your shore in a safe environment.

A beam support head should be nailed to thecenter of the timber header.

A timber footer may be prepared in the sameway if required.

The shore complete with header and / or footercan now be moved into place.

Auto-lock struts should not be used for this type of shore(see page 26-27).

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Now extend and lock the shore inplace using the required system.

Remember that as the length of any shore increases, load capacity decreases (see page 28).

As a final step remove any hoses or other components that may getin the way during rescueoperations.

Remember never to lift or push with a shore system in acollapsed structure environment.

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Progressive lifting

OBJECTIVE:To safely and systematically lift a heavy load, making use of

complementary lifting equipment.

SITUATION ASSESSMENT:Always lift with a good overview of the situation. Small lifting

actions in one area can dramatically affect the structure elsewhere.

THE PROCEDURE:

Start by ensuring all necessarylifting equipment is readilyavailable. This equipmentshould ideally be stagedclose by.

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Progressive lifting

Start by creating an opening for your high pressure lifting bag(s). In many cases this is best done with a hydraulic wedge.

The space created by the hydraulic wedge should be secured using wedge blocks.

Now slide your lifting bag into place. This is best done with a wedge block against the bag so that your fingers are not in danger.Always position your bag(s) completely (past the center of the bag) under the load before inflating.

As the lifting bag is inflated, the progression to the next lifting tool can be considered.In this case the logical progression is to a lifting jack.

Never place you fingers under or near a load being lifted.

All lifted loads should always be backed up using blocks,wedge blocks or a mechanically locked shoring system.

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If the lifting bag needs to be left in place, a shut-off hose with a safety valve should be used.

Larger lifting bags can also be backedup using automatic follow-up shoring(see pages 21-22).

Always be extra cautious when lifting loads at angles. Be sure that your lifting action will not cause the load to shift uncontrollably.This is best controlled by good chocking.

Progressive lifting

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Around the world trenches are dug for variousreasons such as the laying of pipes and cables or forcreating foundations. The number of trench collapsesvaries significantly from country to country. The cause,however, is almost always the same. Trenches collapsedue to inadequate shoring by those responsible for digging the trench. In order to be able to work in a trenchsafely, so as to extricate the injured and / or entrappedpersons, it is necessary for the rescue services to beable to rapidly create a safe area around the patient.

While this chapter provides a basic overview ofemergency shoring used in trench rescue, it is not meantto take the place of specialized trench rescue trainingrequired to perform such rescue operations. If rescuersare not aware of the risks and how to work safely in and around a trench, this can easily leadto death and injury. It is essential that rescuers do not move into a trench that is not properlyshored. Moving into an unsafe trench will only put the rescuers at risk of becoming injured,entrapped or worse in the very likely event of a secondary collapse.

Even in training, caution should be taken in and around un-shored trenches. For manyof the pictures used in this chapter a safe concrete training trench was used.

Introduction

Collapsed trench

Properly shored trench

Rescuers should never move into an un-shored trench.

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In all cases it is vitally important that a trench rescue scene is approached with extreme caution. Many hazards can exist on such a scene and are beyond the scope of thistechnical skills orientated book. It is, however, strongly advised that for complete knowledgeon this matter, an established trench rescue training program is used.

The diagram below highlights some of the many considerations that have to be takeninto account when working at a trench rescue scene. It also serves to explain the trench terminology that will be used in the rest of this chapter.

Trench safety and terminology

Ladder(s) for access.

Atmospheric monitoring and necessary ventilation.

Low pressure bag usedfor backfill behind

shoring.

Staging areafor additional secondary

shoring material.

Shoring planks.

Shoring boards.

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87

Limited accessside

Workingside

Soil pile

EdgeWall

Floor

ToeToe

Toe

Edge

Head

Inner or action circle for rescuers directly

involved.

Secondary zone reserved for allother emergency service personnel.All non-emergency service persons

should be kept clear of these two zones.

Shoring board used as edge padding.

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88

Trench rescue approach

OBJECTIVE:To create a safe working environment around the edge of the trench,

so as to allow shoring work to be done, minimizing the risk of further collapse.

SITUATION ASSESSMENT:The greatest risk to the approaching rescuers is a secondary

collapse leading to the rescuer becoming trapped in the trench. The following approach aims to minimize this risk.

THE PROCEDURE: This procedure represents the absolute minimum of safety steps that need to be taken inan approach to a trench rescue.

Always approach the trench from the head,with caution, using edge padding to spreadyour weight over the ground.

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After placing a ladder in the trench at the head, encourage those in the trench who are not entrapped to leave the trench.

From here one can now assessthe shoring needs.

In the meantime, other members of the teamcan begin to place boards at the edge of thetrench so as to spread the weight of rescuerswho will be working there.

It may also be necessary to position more ladders to allow escape for those remaining in the trench or for any rescuers that may accidentally fall in during rescue efforts.


Never approach the edge of a trench without edge paddingin place no matter how stable it might seem.

Once contact has been made with a conscious patient this contact should never be broken.

89

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90


It may also be necessary to clear the soil pile from close to the edge to allow access.

After doing this, always place boards on the ground to help spread the weight.

Perform gas monitoring continuously and provide necessary ventilation.

Finally, your trench rescue equipment should be staged in a specific order, allowing quickand easy access to the tools required.

Rescuers should never move into an un-shored trench.

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Rapid safe area creation

OBJECTIVE:To rapidly create a safe working area (safe haven) from where rescue

and emergency medical care can be given to trapped persons.

SITUATION ASSESSMENT:A location for rapid safe area creation should be chosen based on

where the patient(s) is / are located.

THE PROCEDURE:

STRUT CHOICE: a good strut type for this application is any Auto-lock type strut (see pages 26-27).

Position the shoring team with one rescueron the limited access side (where the soilpile normally is) and at least two on the working side (see page 87).

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92

From the working side, position the firstshoring plank into the toe on the opposite(limited access) side of the trench.

This shoring plank should be left lyingagainst the edge of the working side of the trench.

Now slide the first shoring board over the shoring plank already in place.

Next pass the shoring plank and boardtogether to the limited access side of trench.These can then be held in place by the onerescuer on the limited access side of the trench.


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From the working side place the second shoring plank into the toe of the working side of the trench. Pass the top of this shoringplank to the limited access side where itshould be rested against the shoring plank and board already in place.

Again from the working side, slide the second shoring board into place using the shoring plank to guide it into the working side toe.

After doing this the shoring plank can be handed back to the working side.


93

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While the shoring planks and boards are being positioned, the first shores can be configured, based on the widthof the trench.

Using ropes lower the first shore to the bottom of the trench no more than 0.6 m / 2 ft. from the floor. Then extend the shore enough to hold it in place using the required system.

The advantage of an Auto-lock type strut is that it will lock in place without a rescuer having to move into the trench.

Now check for the need to backfill with soil or lifting bags in any spaces left between the shoring boards and the walls of the trench. After doing this the shore can be extended.

Locking is achieved automatically when using an Auto-lock type strut.

Never enter a trench that is not completely shored with a mechanically locked system.

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Rapid safe area creationThe same procedure should be followed for the top shore. The top shore should not be positioned more than 0.6m / 2 ft. below the edge of the trench.

There should notbemore than 1.2 m /4 ft. between shores.

If necessary, morethan two levels ofshoring may need tobe used.

Shores that do notlock automatically

should be locked starting with the top shore as rescuersmove into the safe area created. Hoses of locked shorescan be removed.

At the sametime, nailing the shores inplace canbegin.

Until the shores are nailed in place, all ropesused to lower the shores should be securedabove.

In some cases it may be necessary to replace your emergency shoring with othersecondary shores such as wood or simpleindustrial type shores. This is normally seen in long trenches where multiple safe areas needto be created.

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This book would not have been possible without the assistance and valuable inputof the following persons and organizations.

For their roles in formulation and discussion of the many techniques and strategiesdescribed in this book:

· Rod Campbell - Central University of Technology, South Africa· Rob Owen – Fishbone Research Limited, United Kingdom· Road Accident Rescue Committee – Queensland Fire and Rescue Service,

Australia· Peter Fiset – Holmatro Rescue Equipment, United States· Dave Dalrymple – Roadway Rescue, United States

For their assistance in proof reading and content consultation:Ad Rombouts, Fran Dunigan, Giff Swayne, Malcolm Stirk, Tony Barboza

For technical assistance and photographs:· Holmatro Rescue Equipment· Piba, Antwerp Provincial Institute of Fire and Ambulance Service Training,

Belgium· Anne Arundel County Fire Training Academy, United States· Swedish Rescue Services Agency, Sweden· Wennergren Maskin, Sweden· Durban University of Technology Dept. Emergency Medical Care & Rescue,

South Africa

Finally a special word of thanks to all the operational rescuers from around the world,who have shared their personal rescue experiences with me. Your valuable input is greatlyappreciated.

Acknowledgments

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Notes

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Notes

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This publication is brought to you by:

ISBN: 978-90-812796-1-1

www.holmatro.com

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ISBN 978-90-812796-1-1

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Documents

EMERGENCY SHORING & LIFTING TECHNIQUES