FALL PROTECTION RESCUE PLAN

 

Emergency response plan

 If any worker falls and is suspended by a safety harness, follow the ERP steps as below;

·         The site supervisor (or alternate) takes control of the situation.

·         The site supervisor raises the emergency alarm. All workers near the incident stop working. The site supervisor quickly evaluates the situation and identifies any further hazards that could arise.

·         The site supervisor or their designate goes to get help if workers are close by. If no one is close enough, the site supervisor calls for help in possible ways.

·         The site supervisor calls to notify local police, fire, and an ambulance if required.

·         The site supervisor (or a worker assigned to the task) isolates the accident zone and its perimeter to limit further exposure by a suitable method.

·         The site supervisor (or a worker assigned to the task) moves all non-affected personnel to a safe zone or directs them to remain where they are.

·         The site supervisor sends a designated worker to the site gate to meet the response team (police, medical, fire, etc.) and ensure that they have a safe access path to the incident scene.

·         The site supervisor assembles the emergency rescue team at the incident site as quickly as possible to determine the best rescue procedure for the situation

 

Rescue Procedures

The following rescue procedures are ordered (A) through (C), with (A) being the preferred

 

A.  Elevating Work Platform Rescue—If an elevating work platform (EWP) is available on the site and the suspended worker can be reached by the platform, follow the procedure below.

·         Bring the EWP to the accident site and use it to reach the suspended worker.

·         Ensure that rescue workers are wearing full-body harnesses attached to appropriate anchors in the EWP.

·         Ensure that the EWP has the load capacity for both the rescuer(s) and the fallen worker. If the fallen worker is not conscious, two rescuers will probably be needed to safely handle the weight of the fallen worker.

·         Position the EWP platform below the worker and disconnect the worker’s lanyard when it is safe to do so. When the worker is safely on the EWP, reattach the lanyard to an appropriate anchor point on the EWP if possible.

·         Lower the worker to a safe location and administer first aid. Treat the worker for suspension trauma and any other injury.

·         Arrange transportation to the hospital if required.

 

B. Ladder Rescue—if an elevating work platform is not available, use ladders to rescue the fallen worker with the procedure outlined below.

·         If the fallen worker is suspended from a lifeline, move the worker (if possible) to an area that rescuers can access safely with a ladder.

·         Set up the appropriate ladder(s) to reach the fallen worker.

·         Rig separate lifelines for rescuers to use while carrying out the rescue from the ladder(s).

·         If the fallen worker is not conscious or cannot reliably help with the rescue, at least two rescuers may be needed.

·         If the fallen worker is suspended directly from a lanyard or a lifeline, securely attach a separate lowering line to the harness.

·         Other rescuers on the ground (or closest work surface) should lower the fallen worker while the rescuer on the ladder guides the fallen worker to the ground (or work surface).

·         Once the fallen worker has been brought to a safe location, administer first aid, and treat the person for suspension trauma and any other injury.

·         Arrange transportation to the hospital if required.

 

C.  Rescue from Work Area or Floor Below— if the fallen worker is suspended near a work area and can be safely reached from the floor below or the area from which they fell, use the following procedure.

·         Ensure that rescuers are protected against falling.

·         If possible, securely attach a second line to the fallen worker’s harness to help rescuers pull the fallen worker to a safe area. You will need at least two strong workers to pull someone up to the level from which they fell.

·         Take up any slack in the retrieving line to avoid slippage.

·         Once the worker has been brought to a safe location, administer first aid, and treat the person for suspension trauma and any other injury.

·         Arrange transportation to the hospital if required.

 

Post-Rescue Procedure

All non-affected workers should remain in the designated safe gathering zone until the site supervisor notifies them to do otherwise.

 

The site supervisor and health and safety representative should

·         Begin the accident investigation.

·         Quarantine all fall-arrest equipment that may have been subjected to fall fatigue effects and/or shock loading for further investigation.

·         Secure the area (an accident scene not be disturbed where a fatal or critical injury has occurred).

·         Determine whether or not the job site-specific rescue and evacuation plans were followed as designed.

·         Record modifications or additions to the plans that the rescue team deems necessary.

·         Record all documented communications with fire, police, and other contractors involved.

·         Record all documented statements from employees, witnesses, and others.

·         Save all photographs of the incident.

·         Record all key information such as dates, time, weather, general site conditions, and specific accident locales including sketches of the immediate incident area, complete with measurements if applicable.