Photo By Nicholas Rau | Master Sgt. Brian Bussie, 455th Expeditionary Communications Squadron NCO in charge...... read more read more
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BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - In cramped communications manholes scattered around the base, a lone Airman is sometimes required to breach the surface and descend into the darkness. To make sure it’s safe for Airmen to complete their duties, the confined spaces team meticulously inspects and documents the nearly 200 manholes on base.
The team is led by the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing safety office and made up of members from 455th Expeditionary Medical Group bioenvironmental engineering office and Bagram Air Field Fire Department. Each organization adds a unique perspective to the inspection, and ultimately, provides the final recommendation for classification.
“We ensure that there are no safety hazards and no hazardous conditions,” said Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Metts, 455th AEW ground safety. “We want to makes sure every work area is safe and in compliance with Air Force instructions.”
In addition to verifying the safety of each manhole, the team determines the number personnel who are needed for safe operations.
“We look at every space to see how safe it is for people to go in by themselves,” explained Metts. “By properly identify the manhole as a non-permanent versus permanent space, we can reduce the number of Airmen required. Each of those bodies saved can work on other jobs elsewhere and on other projects.”
With communications critical to successful operations, these manholes are crucial to mission efficiency. Each one houses cables that run from communication nodes to operational structures. The confined spaces team ensures that these are safe for future expansions and maintenance, helping the 455th Expeditionary Communications Squadron plan for new installations.
However, before any work can begin, bioenvironmental engineers must validate the safety of the air in the carved-out hole in the ground.
“I look at the atmosphere condition down in the hole. I am checking the oxygen, lower explosive, carbon monoxide, and other levels,” said Staff Sgt. Mike Gilbert, 455th EMDG NCO in charge bioenvironmental engineering office who uses sophisticated devices to test air quality. “I take air samples to make sure that when they get down there they can breathe. If the monitor starts beeping for fuel or methane or explosives, we make sure that they get out of there.”
So what happens if something does go wrong in a cramped, dark space? That is where the fire department’s rescue skills come in.
“I am looking for power lines, exposed fuel lines, fluids, and anything else that is not supposed to be down there and would be dangerous for entry,” said Chris Meredith, Bagram Airfield Fire Department crew chief. “If something happens, we have to go rescue the person. Before we extract the victim, we need to know as much as possible; because there is no back up for us. We are the back up.”
Overall, the task of inspecting, verify and classifying nearly 200 manholes may not seem that flashy, but it is critical to a lone Airman descending into the darkness to support the mission.
| Date Taken: | 02.27.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 02.27.2016 02:21 |
| Story ID: | 190319 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 265 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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