Fall arrest rescue: planning considerations

In the Construction Regulations 2014, Regulation 10.2 (e) requires that a fall protection plan must have “.a rescue plan detailing the necessary procedure, personnel and suitable equipment required to affect a rescue of a person in the event of a fall incident to ensure that the rescue procedure is implemented immediately following the incident.” 

 

As a standard it is typically required that a casualty must be rescued safely within 10 – 15 minutes to prevent further injuries of even death from occurring.  This may involve detailed planning and the use of either various equipment (e.g., MEWP’s, ladders, scaffolding, etc.) or even technical rope systems with highly trained operators which will be determined by the environment based on a detailed risk assessment.

Having such a plan will be based on a detailed site survey (as discussed in previous articles) that must be finalized prior to any such working at height activities commencing which will include various factors to consider having a site / risk areas specific fall arrest plan in place. BUT what are the considerations that must be looked at?

These considerations, that will guide you to prepare a detailed fall arrest plan, are not limited to but must include the following points:

 

* Will the requirements for the fall arrest plan be a site or risk area only specific plan? This might be due to the technical and high-risk nature of the work that a unique and specific type of rescue system and operators will be required e.g., confined space work within a vessel with impeded openings, etc.

Will multiple or single use rescue systems be required?  Will this equipment be a site based roll out or will this be suitable for this unique high-risk activity only?  To have a cost effective and site wide rescue system / plan in place this must be a consideration.

Does the risk area require an integrated approach?  Will the user be required to have a safe access system but can use that same systems as a means of evacuating (self-rescue) him / her from the dedicated area?

 

* Risk area specific:

 

o Anchor points:

* Are they available?

* Are they structural or certified?

* As the identified anchor points situated above, below, or both from the rescue platform / structure?

* Will a remote rescue be required due to the placement of the anchor points available, and thus do we require?

* More than one operator?

* Edge protection?

* Communications systems between operators and casualty?

 

 

* Options available:

* Pulley systems e.g., hauling and lowering operations

* Single or multiple casualty systems e.g., R550 with rescue hub as used during evacuation from a Nacelle on a wind turbine

* Descending rescues

* Ascending rescues

* Any additional requirements (if any)?

 

o At what height will the workers be exposed?  This will guide the length and layout of the proposed rescue system

o Possible fall clearance of casualty based on the area where they will work e.g., is if more than 6m from the operator’s platform to where he will be suspended as this will make a remote connection impossible and thus a descending rescue must be put in place.

o Access and egress from those areas?  Is it difficult as it will hamper and prolong a rescue to be initiated if operators are off site or on a different area on the plant?

o What is the availability of the rescue system?

o Availability of trained personnel and associated rescue systems on site during these high-risk activities?

* This may also include: response time?

Due to unique site requirements this list is in no way comprehensive and thus based on site information obtained the considerations need to be adapted and implemented as soon as possible.  Integration into the site-specific fall protection is also required, discussed, and communicated to ensure implementation.