Do You Have a Rescue Plan in Place?
You and everyone you work with knows that using safety lines is a must, but what happens when someone falls? If they’ve correctly used their PPE, the employee will fall, but still stay relatively safe. But once the fall has occurred, do you have a rescue plan to get them back to the ground safely?
Every job is slightly different, so you’ll need a plan that is tailored to the place. Rescuing someone who is slipping down a roof can be quite different than trying to get to someone who is hanging 20 metres above the ground.
Understanding the Trauma of a Fall
Even if you’re using the right equipment, a fall can be terrifying. Many people panic or faint and some will go into shock. It’s a frightening event and one that no one really knows how they will react until it happens to them. It’s important to discuss the situation before it happens, while in training. Emphasis should be on staying calm while the rescue occurs.
There may also be physical injuries. People may hit something as they call or they could slide over a rough surface. The line itself can slow your fall, but it will still have an impact on your body. Just the shock of falling and hitting the end of the line is enough to shake you up. You may receive bruises, whiplash and sore muscles, depending on how far you fall and the position.
How to Rescue a Fallen Person
It’s important to get the fallen person down as quickly as possible to avoid health problems that may occur from hanging. Suspension trauma is a real thing and can be quite dangerous. This is where a plan will come in very useful. It saves time and could save a life.
If the worker cannot pull themselves to safety, other workers need to put the plan into action. If the situation is dangerous or if the worker has been injured in the fall, call emergency services and get to work on the plan.
Workers should be assigned to the situation. If possible, use a lift or ladder to reach a fallen worker and help them down. If the person is just off a roof or beam, other workers may go up onto the roof, using the appropriate gear and pull the fallen member of the team back up. Alternatively, you can guide them down the ladder to the ground. The situation needs to be assessed and a decision made for the fastest rescue. You don’t want to leave the person hanging up there too long.
Once the worker is down on the ground again, they should be assessed thoroughly. If there is any indication that they are suffering from an injury, the worker needs to be seen by a doctor.
Preventing falls is the first step to safety, but if you do have a fall, it’s important everyone knows what to do.
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