Posted By Claire C Hello there, I have been asked to create a work at height rescue plan for our operatives who will be working from a MEWP. Does anyone have an example rescue plan they could forward on to me to assist with this task? Your help with this is appreciated. Kind regards Claire

Posted By Seano I am looking into the same subject, is it possible to send me copies?

Posted By CFT Claire As you are specifically making reference to MEWP work, there was an article in SHP a few months back which gave some interesting advice. The Fire brigade is not an emergency rescue plan though. CFT

Posted By Ste Germski Hello All, This particular subject is something our company is dealing with. With reference being made to the use of MEWPs', there are a number of things to be looked into depending on the type of MEWP, whether it be scissor or boom type. With scissor type MEWP, depending upon the policy of the PC, we do not need to harness into scissor lift. But in the case of malfunction of the machine or trapping of the occupants whilst working at height, we have an operative at ground level to work the ground level controls from the machine, this operative, we are told, should be IPAF trained (and competent). With the use of cherry picker (boom type) this is generally the same scenario. We do not have operatives harnessing to objects outside of the basket. The main thing with work at height rescue is if a person falls from an edge they are working on whilst being harnessed to the relevant (suitable) fixing point. This fixing point could be at distance from the edge due to the logistics of the area behind. This is were the use of fall arrest system would require a more rigorous type of rescue system i.e. there are systems which would allow another operative (the resuer) to control him/herself over the edge to get to the fallen operative who can then be attached to the rescuer, who will cut the lanyard of the fallen operative, the rescue system then allows a slow release to ground level (or possibly into a MEWP). this is just one of the systems we are looking into and the relevant training that goes with it. If a restraining system was put into place, would this allow the fallen operative to fall as far, therefore allowing the rescuer to pull the person up or possibly lower from a floor below? There is another system which attaches a 'fishing rod' type arm to a fixing point and rope access type equipment attached to it. From what I can gather from the information for this equipment (its like fishing), the rod reaches out to the fallen operative grabs the relevant position of the harness, pulled in, and the rescuer cuts the attached lanyard and, using the 'rod' and the rope access type equipment attached, the rescuer can lower the fallen operative to the relevant level. This system prevents anybody else from going over the edge to perform the resue. I know what I have put into this response will seem a bit vague, but I am only into the early stages of researching this type of rescue, so bare with me. Could somebody possibly send me any info they may have on these systems, or, any other systems they have in place and any copies of rescue plans they have in place so I can get a general feel of set-out. This would be very much appreciated. Thanks very much Steve. (P.S. Sorry to bore you with this essay)

Posted By John A Wright Cherry pickers usually have a second set of conrols, on the ground vehicle, which can be used to bring the cradle/employee down to the ground in event of a problem. I accept that that rescue method is not always feasible if the employee has gotten attached to a roof or is suspended out of the cradle. John W

Posted By Simon Heesom Hi all, there is a WAH Rescue plan at the following IP Address. http://www.healthandsafe...Pages/Work_at_Height.htm Hope it helps Simon

Posted By pat merchant Rescue plans Whether working on a roof,in a M.E.W.P or wearing a harness with any kind of restraint or arrest you should have a plan for rescue. There are lots around on the internet that you can tailor for your own organsation. we have had rescue plans in place for the last 2 years and they work well. Its not complicated as long as you have the key elemenents in it.Always have more than one plan in case the first one fails.The important thing to remember is that the people undertaking the work may be from outside your organisation or even from away and will not know where the hospital is or who they can contact in an emergency. Other conciderations are emergency evacuation such as fire and With harnesses you must remember that the operative may have fallen, been injured and could have been suspended in their harness for more than 5 minutes. In this case they can suffer Suspension Trauma and you or any rescuer can cause them more harm even to the point of killing them if you do not plan and perform their rescue correctly. My reccomendations for any good plan in an emergency, is to always ring 999 as backup in case you fail. Have a simple form that identifies the risks and task together with all the contact numbers including your first aiders, rescue team and local hospital numbers.This must also have in place the people and equipement you will use to make the rescue in order of priority. Once this plan has been made it is up most important that you have a guaranteed form of communication such as radio's and the relevant departments are aware of the plan and the operative understands it in a toolbox talk. only then "all sign the document to say we agree with the plan" and start the job If we ever have an accident god help us we are equipped to effect a quick rescue,work as a team and not run around like headless chickens. It may take 5-15 minutes to complete depending on the risks but it only takes 2-10 minutes to die form an injury. If u would like a copy of ours give me a shout Pat

Posted By Dave Merchant It's not exactly comforting to see people asking for a copy of a pre-written rescue plan. If you're competent to do the work or manage the work, you must be competent to form your own plan. Every site is different, and taking something from Google because you don't understand how to write your own is IMO as good a proof of negligence as you'd want to find. Your workers HAVE to be trained in emergency procedures for work at height. The employer HAS to plan for emergencies and rescue. Planning and training means planning and training - not changing the letterhead on a photocopy.

Posted By willhiem wow this is popular, i'd ask for one too only i dont need one right now!! Just a quick comment though, should those supplying the equipment not prepare the plan - i know most provide the training but... also in the event of a new build with fall arrest equipment is it not th eduty of the cdmc to ensure the finished building safety file has such information as a rescue plan?? albeit this plan as supplied by the suppliers but still the cdmc to ensure its appropriate and in place?

Posted By Dave Merchant Mitch - you have mail. Willheim - I'd say yes and no. The supplier must provide product instructions for their own equipment (harness etc) but cannot extend that to the use of other techniques, so for example could not provide any information on using a MEWP to rescue someone. The EU rules on supply of PPE are very specific about what can and cannot be in the instructions, as many workplace laws are country-specific or even job-specific. All workers should have been trained in rescue as part of their personal fall protection training ('access' and 'rescue' are now inseparable), and there are theory-based courses available from many of the same WAH training companies which teach managers how to 'manage'. The most important thing is that if your worker has been trained and is saying one thing, for the love of God don't let an untrained manager overrule him just because of the title on his office door! You're correct that the need for a plan is enforced through many other laws (CDM, HASAWA, MHSW etc.) but the problem arises when either nobody knows how to do it and so just scribbles down a few impossible-to-follow sentences on a memo, or when the plan is correct but resources can't support it - for example saying "you will use a MEWP for rescues" but then taking it away for another job, or leaving the batteries flat.

Posted By Mitch Dave Thanks for that, I got mail. Mitch

Posted By willhiem Dave, I keep asking questions, but thats not to take away from your answers, which are as always very good, thanks. just an example but say you have put in place scaffolding or maybe doka / peri type hand rails whilst during construction and you then have your contractor installing the fall arrest say - cable based system of sorts in an area where maintenance or access is seldom. this contractors staff will be trained no doubt and will be protected whilst up there, but move on to the hand over of the building, who provides the plan i reckon it shoul dbe the cdmc, i'm sure there are many options and as you said its all down to contract agreements, this is something that'd be completely overlooked i would think. Is part of the handover docs not to deal with emergency arrangements and if so should the emergency rescue plan not be part of this?? have i made sense?

Posted By willhiem hmm interesting points dave, starting to make sense, and i do agree with you, but for arguements sake, it could be seen as emergency plan. For instance there is a fire, and a fire alarm etc is in place, yet you havent told the occuper where anything is at all - stupid i know- they could say how it wasnt in the file so they decided everyone go out the front door and no one fights the fire because even though they have been trained they dont know where thinks are because they havent been highlighted in the safety plan. Oh god that occupier is defo going down but say itis regarded as a good defense, what are the implications for the person who did up the safety docs for the buildings handover and never put in any such info? am i making sense? as i said i do agree with you dave just picking out points for arguements sake!!