planning for the inevitable – fall protection safety

Over the past decade the proliferation of anchor points and horizontal lifeline systems on buildings and structures has increased dramatically. This has been brought about by changes and tightening of legislation and by increased awareness of workplace accidents and deaths, leading to greater levels of social responsibility and compliance. Whilst falls from height continue to be a major cause of concern and focus for Health & Safety Organisations and Professionals, there is no doubt that great strides have been taken to improve workplace safety in respect of work at height.

But, with so many people actively using harnesses, lanyards and anchor points as part of their every day work activities in construction and building maintenance, it is inevitable that at some time in the future, the equipment will be called upon to stop them if they fall. If that happens, someone will need to recover the fallen worker in a safe and timely manner.

In order to address this, the UK Work at Height Regulations (WAHR) 2005 4(1) and 4(2) oblige employers to ensure all work at height is properly planned and that planning of work should include emergency and rescue procedures.

Why should you?

• As already pointed out, it is a requirement of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
• If a person has fallen, they may be injured or distressed. The casualty will need to be recovered and attended to as quickly as possible. It is unlikely they will be able to recover themselves even if they are conscious.
• An unconscious casualty suspended in a full body harness can suffer potentially fatal complications after a relatively short period of time. In order to avoid ‘suspension trauma’ recovery should be achieved rapidly.
• As an employer it is your responsibility and not that of some other individual or organisation. The emergency services may not be able to attend in time and may not have the equipment needed to recover the casualty

How do you do that?

• Firstly don’t leave rescue and recovery to chance. If people are using fall protection systems that involve attaching to anchor points, the consideration must be given to a fall occurring.
• Carry out a risk assessment and put in place strategies that reduce the chances of a fall occurring or mitigate the consequences of a fall. This is best done by a trained and competent person with an appreciation of work at height and the work equipment.
• Train the people that will be working at height and ensure that work is supervised by someone. The supervisor should be able to keep an eye on things and ensure the work procedures are being followed.
• Ensure that people have the correct equipment for the job they have to do and that they are competent in its use (Regulation 5 of the WAHR). Do not compromise safety by using the wrong PPE.
• Ensure people are aware of the specific hazards and understand how to avoid them. Use temporary barriers or signs to prevent people from putting themselves in danger.
• Ensure that rescue equipment is to hand, that it is checked prior to work commencing and that competent trained personnel are designated to use it in the event that someone falls. Someone should also be trained in first aid.
• Ensure that anchor points that might be needed to facilitate the rescue equipment have been identified, are tested and ready for use. Think about how you will use them if called upon. The safety of the people carrying out a rescue is of great importance.
• Allocate follow up emergency tasks in your rescue plan, so that nothing is left to chance. Has someone called the emergency services for example? Has the work area below the casualty been cleared and is it safe to recover the person to that area? What will you do with the casualty when they are back on safe ground? Regular communication is essential.
• If the risk assessment establishes that a rescue may be complex and involve sending another person to attend to the casualty and rescue them in descent, the consider bringing in an outside organisation with the correct competence to be on standby.

Practice makes perfect.

Unplanned attempts at rescue often put the casualty and the rescuers at greater risk. If your organisation is regularly involved in work at height, then you should ensure that personnel that may be called upon to rescue a colleague are trained and that they regularly practice their techniques in a controlled environment. Carrying out a rescue can be stressful and will inevitably be done under great pressure. If we give people time to practice techniques learned in training, then they are more likely to perform well in an emergency situation. Equipment to enable practice is not very expensive and practice can be done in quiet business periods to maintain productivity.

Selection of equipment

Equipment to carry out a rescue in non-complex situations, such as a rescue from a lifeline on a roof, can be simple and easy to use. Personnel do not have to be trained to tie knots or be experts in rope access techniques.

A typical rescue kit for roofwork would include a controlled rate descent device with a raise and lower facility, some slings and karabiner hooks to enable the rescue device to be attached to a suitable anchor and an extendable rescue pole with a quick release, so the casualty can be reached safely by the rescuer.

When using this type of equipment a casualty can be rescued in a matter of minutes with basic training combined with regular practice. The simple steps to use the equipment include;

• Attach the rescue device to a suitable anchorage and pull out sufficient rope to reach the casualty
• Clip the rescue rope and karabiner hook in to the rescue pole quick release socket
• Connect the quick release socket with the karabiner hook to the user’s rear D ring of their harness and remove the rescue pole. The karabiner hook snaps in place.
• Raise the worker using the controlled rate descent device so that the lanyard on which they fell can be safely and easily removed from the anchor
• Lower the worker to a position of safety for treatment using the controlled rate of descent device

A package of this type of equipment is very affordable and enables companies large and small to plan for the rescue of a fallen worker, without being concerned about costs. Training can also be carried out on site in a controlled environment by competent organisations.

Summary

By planning for the inevitable you can ensure the safe and timely rescue and treatment of a fallen colleague or worker and potentially save a life. It is not difficult to do, nor is it expensive. It just requires time and discipline and the right attitude towards work at height. Alternatively, you can leave it to chance. After all, it will never happen to you, …. will it??

 

Simon Luke who compiled this article is the Managing Director of Uniline Safety Systems Ltd who specialise in fall arrest and fall protection solutions and systems. Uniline are a member of the UK Work at Height Safety Association.