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Posted By AGJ
Hi
Anyone have a generic rescue plan,
I have loads of information as to what it should contain ,however dont know where to start or how comprehesive it should be.
If I had a starting template I could re jig it to suite our requirements
I am currently on a project involving three storey buildings new builds and refurbs,where scaffolders and some operatives require the use of harnesses, we also use MEWPs regularly, hence the need for the rescue plan
Any help appreciated
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Posted By garyh
I would suggest that generic plans are of little use; in this area, in my view, your plans must be absolutely right. If someone in a harness falls and is suspended, rescue has to be fast or the consequences can be very serious.
The upshot is that you need to equip and train your rescuers - you can't rely on the emergency services in these circumstances.
I would recommend taking expert advice.
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Posted By Dan Malone Hi there, You should look at miller fall protection. There have a device that attaches to the harness. It allows the person to take the weight off the harness. This the is main problem with being suspended in a harness for any length of time. Compartment syndrome where the blood turns toxic and can infect other organs in the body. The item is a Miller Relief Step Safety Device. This will give some more time for the person to be rescued. http://www.millerfallpro...er/MillerCatalog2006.pdfRegards Dan
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Posted By Richard Hinckley Can I suggest that you also take a look at the Rescue Genie, a bespoke remote rescue device designed specifically to tackle post fall suspension trauma. You can view at www.rescuegenie.comRegards Richard
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Posted By William
Its suspension shock which is the danger when you are left hanging for a while, so the straps attached to the harness are the best idea, maybe using a retrieval block as well and making sure that one person has their feet on the ground to raise an alarm if there was a fall.
Funnily enough this was discussed at my own workplace last week, i requested the straps to prevent suspension shock, to which my foreman replied "are you planning on having a fall"?, i then had to spend 15 minutes explaining to him the concept of an accident.
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Posted By Richard Hinckley
Worth just saying that the straps can only extend the comfort and expectancy of the casualty assuming that they are concious and can actually get into them (another reason for wearing proper climbing helemts with chin straps when working at height)
You still however need to give full consideration to lowering or raising the casualty, the retreival block is not always the most suitable / portable option.
As we also know dialing three 9's is not either.
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Posted By alex mccreadie
As a Safety Manager for a Tower Crane Company I am attending a demonstration on removing a supposedly injured operator from his Tower Crane Cab next week. Also being demonstrated is the recovery from the jib of a person dangling from their harness. I will report to the interested parties how good the system is. The person dangling is a Safety Manager so he obviously feels happy with the recovery equipment.
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Posted By Dan Malone
Hi all,
I recommended the safety fall step above as it is a way to stop compartment syndrone in patients that have fall and are suspended.
There should also be a plan to rescue the person as soon as possible.
If it is a construction site, most have MEWP's or cherry-pickers there. Falling from these there is also the secondary controls on the ground.
I have been informed by a colleague that the civil defense in the republic are being trained in the rescue of personal from heights. This will also include tower cranes. You don't have to fall just take ill for there to be a problem.
Regards
Dan
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Posted By Richard Hinckley
Dan
We are very busy training persons in remote rescue from height in this country, across all industry sectors.
Suspension Trauma is obviously a key concern but what is often over looked is the pressure put on a person who has fallen on their respiratory system and the potential breathing difficulties that they may experience when in suspension, yet another reason to get them down quickly.
I would be very cautious generically considering site MEWP (though is a reasonable consideration) for heights rescue as these are often in use elsewhere on the site and may take quite a time to get to the fallers work position, then may not be able to get right up to them due to obstacles on the sites footprint.
Its an interesting point ref: an operative just taken ill in a crane cab, there are a number of succesful proprietary devices and training around that satisfy this specific need.
Richard
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Posted By Phil
Alex:
Re your demonstration, dont forget its not advisable to use live casualties for training!
Richard:
You are quite correct, the overmarketed straps are only usefull if the casuaty is conscious.
4 day at work first aid doesnt cater for suspension trauma, quite the opposite, it can do harm. We also are V busy training Fire and Rescue services on the treatment side of things.
Say Hello to Mike Clayton for me.
Phil
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Posted By Dan Malone
Hi Phil and Alex,
I understand the implications that you are talking about. As a trained Emergency Medical First Responder EMFR we are trained to spot the signs of compartment syndrome. Our time limit is 15 minutes. Above this we have to leave the casualty where they are and make them as comfortable as possible. The issue of respiratory distress is a problem. The use of the step relief can help in this if the casualty is consciouses.
However the only person able to medically help an person in this situation is a doctor. The ambulance crews and advanced paramedics are not allowed to administer drugs.
The point that i was making is the the step relief can give you extra time that you may not have without it.
MEWP, and cherry-pickers should be used in event of an emergency provided that the use of these does not cause a further risk.
Again this is back to the risk assessment for the site and any emergency plans that are (or should ) be in place.
Regards
Dan
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Posted By alex mccreadie
Phil appreciate your comment, and it was nice to notice nobody classed the Safety Manager as a dummy ha ha. Since I last posted I have asked for the Risk Assessments and Method Statements for this exercise and have been duly supplied. The hanging casualty is being supplied with a seat type harness to avoid suspension trauma. My main interest was that as usual at the last minute I found out it was one of our cranes that was going to be used. After reading the above documents and talking to the organisers I am now happy everything is in place. This event is being covered by the Fire Service, Ambulance service and the HSE. I would suggest that everything is in order to make it a useful and worthwhile event.
Alex
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Posted By AGJ
Hi Guys
Thanks for all your response
Very much apprieciated
Fred
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Posted By Phil
Alex,
Its not the type of harness that brings on suspension trauma, its the fact that you are hanging immobile. In the early days before harnesses, climbers used to tie a rope round their waist / chest, and if left hanging immobile after a fall, without any other injuries, all suffered a degree of suspension trauma. Some even died.
Venous pooling in the legs is a far bigger issue than the far smaller " crush " type injury that builds up toxins around the harness pinch points. Venous pooling will take place no matter what type of harness is used.
When we carry out the trauma at height course for the Fire and Rescue services, we always use a dummy, the R.A wont allow anything else.
The drug and fluid regime normally takes place in hospital where the casualty can be monitored for any arryhmias, and treated accordingly. Remaining upright, and not being laid down flat is your first action drill. Many Paramedics and firefighters are now getting up to speed with the problem, so the wordis getting out, slowly.
If you need any more info, give me a shout
Phil
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Posted By Phil
Below is some of the early research carried out. Harnesses not popular at this time, mostly rope tied in abowline round the waist:
G Flora, H R Holzl 1972
Outlined the number of climbers who had not seriously injured themselves during the fall phase, but found themselves hanging free after it.
8/10 climbers hanging free survived for 0.5 – 8 hrs
After rescue they survived for 0.5 hrs – 11 days
All 8 climbers died
Data lost for remaining 2 climbers
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