Work At Height Regulations
Rescue Plans Don't Have To Be Complex
Employers should implement a rescue plan that includes procedures for:
- Preventing prolonged suspension
- Performing rescue and treatment as quickly as possible
- Identifying orthostatic intolerance signs and symptoms
Management's responsibility for safety needs to give careful consideration to the methodology of rescuing a fallen operative. Such considerations might include:
Dialing 999 -
Often we think of the word 'rescue' as calling 999, but calling the local fire brigade does not constitute an effective rescue plan. Response times can be too slow, and not all fire brigades have the capability to rescue from height.
Crane Man Basket -
This option has severe limitations, the main one being time. Target time from 'Man Down' to being recovered needs to be no more than five minutes. Other restrictions and shortcomings that make this a less than ideal solution are:
- The crane is out of action for some reason, e.g. it may be 'winded-off';
- The driver may be away from the crane
- Rescue by crane is limited to building façades and often is not able to provide access and Rescue internal to the structure;
- The crane man basket may be in the wrong location.
MEWP's -
This option for rescue can have its limitations such as available access and height restriction as the casualty may be at a height greater than the reach of the MEWP.
Rope Access Rescue -
Rope rescue requires a technical competency which demands a high level of training and re-training to acquire and retain this skill set. Given the limited time to complete a rescue, trained rope rescue personnel would need to be on stand-by and within close proximity to any incident. Donning the necessary kit to carry out a rope rescue can also be time consuming given that every minute the casualty is hanging is critical. Perhaps the greatest restriction is that it is a skill to which only a few would, or could, be trained.
Third Party Rescue Systems -
There are a number of considerations to take into account when considering third part rescue systems. In every consideration TIME is the critical factor. The speed with which the system can be deployed and the rescue carried out is vitally important, as is the SIMPLICITY and EASE of use so that a typical operative can deploy and carry out a rescue after being trained. Remember: whichever methodology you choose, the target time should be to rescue the casualty in under ten minutes.
Planning for Fall Protection must include Rescue
Having a rescue plan is just as important as having a fall protection plan. No site should have one without the other. Just putting together a fall protection program without rescue is only doing half the job. The onus is on the employer to ensure that the suspended operative is rescued quickly. That means ensuring that for anyone who works at height, there's a rescue plan. Fall protection must include an emergency rescue plan. How will you rescue an operative who has fallen and is suspended in a fall-arrest system? Answering some basic questions can help in developing a rescue plan.
Developing a Rescue Plan
Rescue plan requires answers to the following questions If an operative's fall is arrested can they be rescued in under five minutes? How will you know that someone has fallen? Will someone see it happen?
- Co-workers
- Other trades
- Plant personnel
- Members of the public
What communication systems will be used between the suspended operative and the rescue team?
How will the operative call for help?
- Voice
- Whistle
- Mobile Phone
Who will the Co-worker call?
- Nearest co-workers
- Supervisor
- Site Management
- 999 Fire /ambulance where available
Is information available? Who and how will it be communicated?
- Emergency phone numbers
- Site address
- Directions and access for ambulance / fire vehicle or other emergency services
- Which floor / how high up
- Operative's condition after fall
How will the safety of the rescuers be assured, as well as that of the suspended operative?
- Emergency phone numbers
- How will the safety of the rescuers be assured, as well as that of the suspended operative?
- Are operatives trained and competent in the use of rescue equipment?
- Is there sufficient number of trained personnel onsite?
- Are rescue-training records kept up-to-date including any re-assessments?
- Is the rescue equipment selected appropriate for the nature of the work?
- What obstructions are in the way reaching the suspended operative?
- Have assessments been made of anchor points?
- Has consideration been given to the method of attaching to the casualty?
Leading Edge
Telephone: 01329 550 121
Fax: 01329 550 470
Email: sales@leadingedgesafety.co.uk
Telephone: 01329 550 121
Fax: 01329 550 470
Email: sales@leadingedgesafety.co.uk
