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#1 Posted : 16 February 2007 12:48:00(UTC)
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Posted By Madelyn Portley
Hi

Can anyone tell me if i can get access to an emergency rescue plan for lift engineers who fall and are left dangling on a scaffold by their harness? The Lift shafts are not very wide. I was thinking of some sort of elevation platform but it would be impossible to operate that inside a lift shaft. How does one rescue them?

Thanks for your help

Madelyn
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#2 Posted : 16 February 2007 12:59:00(UTC)
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Posted By Sean Warburton
He's not hanging there now is he? Call the fire brigade, this forum cam be a bit slow at times :) Hey it's Friday
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#3 Posted : 16 February 2007 13:37:00(UTC)
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Posted By Andy Farrall
Hi Madelyn,
Have you contacted an organisation such as IRATA, the Industrial Rope Access Training Association? (Just for the record I have no connection with them).

Their web address is:

http://www.irata.org/

They might be able to advise you on this type of rescue, i.e. person suspended at height and with restricted access.

Hope this helps.

Andy
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#4 Posted : 16 February 2007 14:07:00(UTC)
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Posted By Madelyn Portley
Thank you Andy

I will try it

Cheers

Madelyn
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#5 Posted : 16 February 2007 14:08:00(UTC)
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Posted By Madelyn Portley
No Andy, he is not hanging there now...

Happy Friday to you all

Madelyn
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#6 Posted : 16 February 2007 14:55:00(UTC)
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Posted By Chas
If the operative is conscious you may be able to use/deploy the webbing ladder that Leading Edge Supplies sell. I think their website is www.leadingedgesupplies.com (PS. I have no business links with them).
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#7 Posted : 16 February 2007 19:37:00(UTC)
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Posted By S Rooney
Hi, if you want to mail me I can provide you with the details of the system my company are using for harness rescue.

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#8 Posted : 16 February 2007 20:31:00(UTC)
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Posted By STEVE
Madelyn

How would the engineer end up dangling on a scaffold?

Are you expecting them to perform unsafe acts?

If the scaffold is erected correctly ( toeboards, mid rail, hand rail-correct height) how do you envisage them to fall?

If it is a lift shaft, maybe the opening above can be utilised to have an inertia wheel situated somewhere in or on it for them to attach to, they then keep this attached if necessary on the scaffold, can a retrival block be situated above, rescuer attaches to this lowers himself down to fallen person attaches himself to his harness, cuts his lanyard (if need be) lowers himself to next opening in lift shaft below, rescue team waiting here with attached harness on to reach in the shaft , grab hold of rescued person pull him to safety

Steve
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#9 Posted : 16 February 2007 22:25:00(UTC)
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Posted By Phil Rosenberg
Hi Madelyn , The first person I would ask would be a responsible lift engineer ,he would have first hang sorry, meant first hand knowledge of the situation . You can then build from that .
see you Phil R
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#10 Posted : 16 February 2007 22:46:00(UTC)
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Posted By peter gotch 1
Steve,

There are various tasks in lift installation and maintenance where the use of harnesses may be appropriate.

P
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#11 Posted : 16 February 2007 23:27:00(UTC)
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Posted By Bennie
Hi Madelyn - there is a risk to anyone suspended on a harness from suspension trauma. Potentially fatal in less than an hour. Good practice that before we put anyone in a position where they could fall, we have rescue plans in place first.
Do a Google search on suspension trauma and you may be surprised at the results.

Regards

Bennie
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#12 Posted : 16 February 2007 23:30:00(UTC)
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Posted By Bennie
Sorry I cannot help you with the rescue plan without seeing instalation

Bennie
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#13 Posted : 17 February 2007 10:22:00(UTC)
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Posted By David AB Thomas
The following, from the NASC, might help:

Guide to Formulating a Rescue Plan, SG19: 06

http://www.nasc.org.uk/publications.shtml

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#14 Posted : 18 February 2007 23:43:00(UTC)
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Posted By William
Just out of curiousity and i dissapointed that someone has not spotted it before and mentioned it here, but that new diet coke advert, why the hell does lift engineer come down from up above and have his harness around his ankles? I know its just an advert, just a silly one at that, i reckon the hippy would get his long hair stuck in the mechanics above the lift anyhow.

But back on subject there was a discussion on something similar to this recently, but what you get is retreavel sets which clip onto the harness and if they fall just wind the handle up and up they come, but you also need to be aware of the 15 minute rule, leave them hanging for 15 minutes and the pressure of the harness of the groin could kill them, cant remember the exact name of it, some kind of shock.
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#15 Posted : 18 February 2007 23:48:00(UTC)
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Posted By William
Heres the tread you need, and the shock is called suspension trauma, but this thread should help.

http://www.iosh.co.uk/in...iew&forum=1&thread=24583
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#16 Posted : 19 February 2007 09:45:00(UTC)
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Posted By Madelyn Portley
Hi thanks to everyone for your ideas..
Steve, our engineers are very safety conscious, but that still does not mean that they wont have an accident...
Thanks again

Madelyn
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#17 Posted : 20 February 2007 10:08:00(UTC)
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Posted By garyh
The scaffold company who erected the scaffold should have a rescue plan for their people during the erection and dismantling phase (eg use of Spanset "Gotcha" kit etc). Why not take advice from them?
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