Media Advisory - Protecting workers in tight conditions: CSA to launch
Canada's first confined spaces standard with interactive rescue demo by
Toronto Fire Services

TORONTO, March 24 /CNW/ - Each year millions of people enter confined spaces as part of their job. Almost every type of industry has some kind of confined space where workers are at risk of serious injury or death resulting from asphyxiation, engulfment, electric shock, or chemical poisoning. Confined spaces can include hydro vaults, underground tunnels, silos, shipping compartments, pump stations and boilers.

Would-be rescuers often become victims themselves and account for more than 60 per cent of fatalities in confined space accidents.

CSA Standards is launching Canada's first standard for managing work in confined spaces with an interactive demonstration by Toronto Fire Services (TFS) who will enact actual confined spaces rescue simulations. Following the demonstrations, media are invited to enter confined space environments and interact in simulated rescues with TFS personnel.

The media event will take place indoors at the TFS Special Operations Training Centre. It is recommended that media dress warmly. Remarks from industry leaders will precede the demonstration.

    
    WHAT:     CSA Standards launches Canada's first standard for managing
              work in confined spaces.

    VISUALS:  Realistic demonstration by Toronto Fire Services of an actual
              rescue in a confined space, as well as access to several
              different types of simulated confined spaces (including a hydro
              transformer vault and a vertical chemical tank).

    WHO:      Suzanne Kiraly, President, CSA Standards
              Doug Silver, Division Chief, Toronto Fire Services (TFS)
              Jim Armstrong, VP of Client Services, Industrial Accident
              Prevention Association (IAPA)
              Toronto Fire Services demonstration team

    WHEN:     Wednesday, March 31st, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

    WHERE:    Toronto Fire Services Special Operations Training Centre
              200 Bermondsey Avenue
              Toronto, ON, M4A 1Y1

    PARKING:  There are two parking lots located near the training centre (on
              Bermondsey, south of Eglinton). There will be an attendant
              directing media to the appropriate lots.
    

For further information: Amy Clark, Environics Communications for CSA Standards, [email protected], [phone]; Jesse Kohl, Environics Communications for CSA Standards, [email protected], [phone]