Confined Space Rescue Case Study

Abfad rescue teams work throughout the UK providing confined space, working at height and restricted access rescue cover at the point of work for all industries.

Information provided below is relating to the rescue of casualty recovery within one of Abfad Ltd contracted power stations.

At around 10:30 in the morning, Abfad’s entry man located at the boiler access hatch was made aware that a trade contractor was unconscious at the bottom of the boiler bed.

Abfad’s response team verified that there was no toxic gas registering on the gas monitor within the confined space, so breathing apparatus was not required for the rescue. Our trained and experienced rope rescue team assessed the situation and established a man lying on top of the boiler nozzles, who was unconscious.

Access was restricted inside the boiler due to seven levels of erected scaffolding, therefore, the team used vertical ladders to quickly descend to the casualty. Abfad’s rescue team attended the casualty and verified he could be moved, the third member of the team rigged lifting equipment to recover the casualty back to ground level.

The casualty was in the region of 16 stone, therefore, manual handling was not an option for recovery out of the boiler. A confined space stretcher was deployed; the casualty was quickly and efficiently recovered to a safe environment using rope access pulleys and was then provided with medical assistance.