Confined Space Entry Solution: Terry Tool
 Confined space entries, specifically those related to maintenance work in sewer manholes, have been both necessary and a generally accepted practice by industry professionals for many years. While every conceivable precaution is taken to minimize the risks associated with this activity, given the lack of options, technological improvements and alternative methods, workers may still be required to enter these structures to perform a variety of activities including inspections, maintenance and repair work.
Given the impetus to improve the work place with respect to worker safety and reduce exposure to potentially hazardous work environments, it is the goal of the City of Antioch and its employees to continue to make work process improvements where these enhance worker safety and lend themselves to increased productivity.
With the above goal in mind, and changing regulations surrounding confined space entry, the task as performed by City of Antioch employees was reevaluated. The assessment revealed the operation required:
| • |
Risks associated with a confined space entry and the need to treat the task as permitted space entry |
| • |
Up to five (5) employees, including rescue personnel on site |
| • |
Up to three vehicles |
| • |
Entry and rescue equipment associated with the task on site |
| • |
Traffic control for the duration of the job |
|
 Based on this equipment and manpower, and an average duration for similar tasks, it is estimated the total cost would be $2,527.00 for installation and retrieval at a single location.
Given the potential risks involved and the significant cost of performing this operation, a small group of employees from the City’s Wastewater Collection Section brainstormed possible alternatives. They devised what was believed to be a viable alternative if some kind of device could be designed and constructed to insert and retrieve equipment from the street level without the need to make a confined space entry.
 The task of designing and manufacturing the device was assigned to a collections system worker, Mr. Ronald Terry. He has exceptional mechanical abilities and a penchant for innovation. With his thorough understanding of the task and what needed to be done, Mr. Terry sketched what his perception of the device might look like.
Utilizing commonly found materials to build a prototype, he began manufacturing the tool. Within a week, the tool was ready for initial field-testing. The prototype proved successful and required minimal reengineering from the original design. The material was upgraded so the tool could withstand repeated use in wastewater environments that lead to degradation, and a carrying case was devised for what has become affectionately referred to as the “Terry Tool”:
With several uses to its credit, the tool has been used exclusively and has virtually eliminated the need for a confined space entry to install and retrieve flow-monitoring equipment.
| After reevaluating the new process, it was estimated the average cost to perform this task is now $181.00 for total installation and retrieval at a single location. Additionally, the task can now be accomplished with: |
| • |
Two employees, one depending on location |
| • |
One service truck |
| • |
Minimal traffic control, and the risks associated with a confined space entry are eliminated |
Terry Tool: developed by Ron Terry, City of Antioch Public Works Department in conjunction with the Water/Wastewater Division.
|
|
