Road Traffic Accident Procedures (2)

1
Road Traffic Accident Procedures (2)

• Service Delivery 2

2
RTA (2)
Hydraulic Tools.
3
Hydraulic tools

• The availability of powerful rescue tools allows
  rescuers greater options when planning
  extrications
• Greatly reduce time taken during space
  creation.

4
Hydraulic tools
All hydraulic tool systems consist of the
following main components

• A reservoir containing hydraulic fluid
• A means of pressurising the fluid
• High pressure tubing
• A means of relieving the pressure.

5
Hydraulic tools
2 main types

• Hand operated
• Powered.

6
Hand operated

• Requires the operator to manually operate a
  pump by means of a lever or handle
• EPCO, BLACKHAWK and TANGYE are examples
  of the type available.

7
Hydraulic powered tools

• These systems utilise a power unit, usually
  petrol or diesel driven to pressurise the system
• Power units can be single or two stage, the
  latter offering speedy off load operation with
  slower more controlled under load operation.

8
Hydraulic powered tools
Common tools of this type are

• Dedicated cutters
• Spreaders
• Combi tools
• Rams
• Pedal cutters.

9
Hydraulic powered tools.
10
Dedicated cutters

• Fitted with curved or straight blades
• Cutting forces between 13 and 18 tonnes
• Will cut between 15 and 25 mm thickness
• Average weight about 18Kg.

11
Dedicated cutters.
12
Dedicated cutters

• It is important to remember that the shearing
  action of the cutters imparts energy to the item
  being cut
• At the moment when the cutter completes the cut
  pieces can separate with great force.

13
(No Transcript)
14
(No Transcript)
15
(No Transcript)
16
(No Transcript)
17
(No Transcript)
18
Dedicated cutters

• When using cutters the following basic rules
  should be followed to ensure safety
• Always use appropriate PPE
• Always provide hard and soft protection
• Be alert for the tool shifting
• Work outside the tool.

19
Spreaders

• Spreaders often weigh 30Kg or more and usually
  require a team of two operators
• One to place and operate the tool and an
  assistant to help support the weight of the tool.

20
Spreaders

• Can be supplied with accessories such as chains,
  hooks and securing pins to allow pulling
  operations to take place utilising the power of
  the tool.

21
Spreaders

• Securing pins if not of the lockable type should
  always be inserted from the bottom side of the
  arms
• Chains should always be attached to hooks so that
  the free end is accessible on the top of the
  arms,to ensure a balanced pull.

22
Spreaders

• When using spreaders the following should be
  adopted to maintain safety and efficiency
• Adopt a balanced body position
• Place hands only on the tool handles and
  operating lever
• Be aware tool can kick back under load.

23

• Work outside the tool

• The tool arms are not designed to spread or
  crush, only use the tips
• When using tool accessories, ensure hooks have
  the open side facing out or away from the arms.

24
Combination tools

• Primarily designed to be used as a rapid
  intervention tool
• Capable of cutting, spreading, pulling and
  crushing
• Due to this versatility, in widespread use
  throughout the brigade.

25
Combination tool.
26
Combination tools

• Perform less well than dedicated equipment, this
  is balanced by the tools versatility
• However as dedicated equipment arrives on the
  incident ground it should be got to work as soon
  as possible.

27
Combination tools

• The safety procedures and general operating
  procedures for combi tools are the same as for
  task related dedicated equipment.

28
Powered rams

• Can be used to lift, spread, pull or assist with
  stabilisation
• Light enough to be operated by one member of the
  crew
• Two types, single or double piston.

29
Powered rams.
30
Powered rams

• No circumstance exists where rams would provide
  the sole means of stabilisation or of lifting a
  load
• They will always be used in conjunction with
  chocks and blocks.

31
Powered rams

• Rams have the least structural integrity when
  fully extended

• Heavy loading can stress the ram to the point of
  being damaged
• Avoid allowing the ram to extend over a round
  object as this can deflect the ram and cause the
  tool to fail.

32
Hydraulic powered tools

• After use
• Clean tool
• Examine for wear / damage
• Check ram pistons for dirt and scoring
• Top up fuel levels
• Ensure couplings are clean and caps replaced.

33
THE END