PAPERmaking! g FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF PAPER TECHNOLOGY ® Volume 10, Number 1, 2024
9. Rescue plans – you can’t afford not to have one A rescue plan is an essential piece of documentation that must be completed before undertaking any work at heights. This should detail:
the type of work being undertaken
x
the risks involved
x
x what actions need to be implemented in the event of an incident or accident occurring.
Emergency service details should be included, but their attendance should be considered as only a part of the overall rescue plan. Emergency services may take time to arrive at the scene and it is imperative that rescue procedures are commenced as soon as possible to enable the situation to be rectified and to ensure injuries are not exacerbated. Assessment of the building, on site rescue equipment and available access to the area by rescuers and emergency services are all factors that must be considered and detailed in the plan. Training of persons who will be conducting the rescue must also be undertaken to ensure that they are skilled in the use of the rescue equipment. If the person being rescued sustains injuries which result in unconsciousness rescue may be even more difficult and additional procedures must be put in place to cover this contingency. Persons sustaining a fall while using fall arrest equipment are in significant risk of Suspension Trauma and for this reason it is imperative that they are rescued as soon as possible to lessen the likelihood of this condition occurring. 10. Don’t forget about PPE PPE or Personal Protective Equipment always needs to be checked before use. This type of equipment can lay dormant for periods of time and there is always the chance that deterioration or damage could have occurred since it was last used. Correctly fitting and adjusting your harnesses is vital to ensure that they work correctly and effectively arrest a fall should this occur. View our Fall Arrest Anchor Operation Manual which gives instructions on the correct method to ensure the right fit. And don’t forget to adjust them from season to season. Further information and links to industry websites, documents and other invaluable resources can be found on our Know the Law page. You can also visit our FAQS page for help with many industry queries.
Article 12 – Working at Height
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