FP : Emergency Response Plan - Fall From Height

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Chapter : Fall Protection.

Emergency Response Plan - Fall From Height 

The rescue of a worker who has fallen and is being suspended in his/her safety harness needs to be undertaken as quickly as possible for several reasons:

• The worker may have suffered injuries during the fall and may need medical attention.
• Workers suspended in their safety harness for long periods may suffer from blood pooling in the lower body and this can result in “suspension trauma.” (See attached information on treating suspension trauma – have this available on site to provide to First Aid team and to external emergency crews.)
• The suspended worker may panic if they are not rescued quickly.
• The event that led to the fall may create additional risks that need to be addressed.

General Rescue Procedures:

1. If Elevating Work Platform is available on site:
• Bring it to the site and use it to reach the suspended worker.
• Ensure that rescue workers are protected against falling.
• Ensure that the EWP has the load capacity for both the rescuer(s) and the victim.
• If the victim is not conscious, 2 rescuers will be probably be needed to safely handle the weight of the victim.
• Position the EWP platform below the worker and disconnect his lanyard when it is safe to do so.
• Treat the victim for Suspension Trauma and any other injuries.
•  Arrange for transport to nearest hospital.
2. If no Elevating Work Platform is available:
• Where possible, use ladder(s) to reach the victim.
• Rig separate lifelines for rescuers to use while carrying out the rescue from the ladder(s).
• If worker is not conscious or cannot reliably help with his/her own rescue, at least 2 rescuers may be needed.
• If worker is suspended from a lifeline, where possible, move the suspended victim to an area that can be safely reached by the ladder(s).
• If victim is suspended directly from his/her lanyard or from a lifeline, securely attach a separate lowering line to the victim’s harness.
• Other rescuers should lower the victim while he/she is being guided by the rescuer on the ladder.
• Once the victim has been brought to a safe location, administer First Aid and treat the person for Suspension Trauma and any other injuries.
• Arrange for transport to nearest hospital.
3. If the injured person is suspended near the work area and can be safely reached from the floor below or the area they fell from:
• Ensure that rescuers are protected against falling.
• If possible, securely attach a second line to the workers’ harnesses to assist in pulling them to a safe area. (Note: at least 2 strong workers will be needed to pull someone up.)
• Ensure that any slack in the retrieving lines is taken up to avoid slippage.
• Once the victim has been brought to a safe location, administer First Aid and treat the person for Suspension Trauma and any other injuries and arrange for transport to the nearest hospital.
4. If a person has fallen and is suspended in an inaccessible area (e.g. a tower, against a building or structure that has no openings):
• Specialized rescue techniques are needed for this type of situation. It may involve a rescuer rappelling or being lowered down to the victim, it may involve using the lifeline to retrieve the fallen worker, or the use of high-reach emergency equipment.
• Due to the inherent risk to the rescuers and/or the victim, this type of rescue should not be undertaken by people without specialized training and experience.

If any worker falls and is suspended by a safety harness, follow the ERP steps as below; 

1. The site supervisor (or alternate) takes control of the situation. 
2. The site supervisor raises the emergency alarm. 
• All workers in the immediate vicinity of the incident stop working. 
3. The site supervisor quickly evaluates the situation and identifies any further hazards that could arise. 
4. The site supervisor or their designate goes to get help if workers are close by. If no one is close enough, the site supervisor calls for help by the possible ways. 
5. The site supervisor calls to notify local police, fire, and ambulance if required. 
6. The site supervisor (or a worker assigned to the task) isolates the accident zone and its perimeter to limit further exposure by suitable method. 
7. The site supervisor (or a worker assigned to the task) moves all non-affected personnel to a safe zone or directs them to remain where they are.
• The site supervisor sends a designated worker to the site gate to meet the response team (police, medical, fire, etc.) and ensure that they have a safe access path to the incident scene.
• The site supervisor assembles the emergency rescue team at the incident site as quickly as possible to determine the best rescue procedure for the situation 

Rescue Procedures 

The following rescue procedures are ordered  as A, B & C.

A. Elevating Work Platform Rescue—If an elevating work platform (EWP) is available on site and the suspended worker can be reached by the platform, follow the procedure below. 

1. Bring the EWP to the accident site and use it to reach the suspended worker. 
2. Ensure that rescue workers are wearing full-body harnesses attached to appropriate anchors in the EWP. 
3. Ensure that the EWP has the load capacity for both the rescuer(s) and the fallen worker. If the fallen worker is not conscious, two rescuers will probably be needed to safely handle the weight of the fallen worker. 
4. Position the EWP platform below the worker and disconnect the worker’s lanyard when it is safe to do so. When the worker is safely on the EWP, reattach the lanyard to an appropriate anchor point on the EWP if possible. 
5. Lower the worker to a safe location and administer first aid. Treat the worker for suspension trauma and any other injury. 
6. Arrange transportation to hospital if required. 

B. Ladder Rescue—if an elevating work platform is not available, use ladders to rescue the fallen worker with the procedure outlined below. 

1. If the fallen worker is suspended from a lifeline, move the worker (if possible) to an area that rescuers can access safely with a ladder. 
2. Set up the appropriate ladder(s) to reach the fallen worker. 
3. Rig separate lifelines for rescuers to use while carrying out the rescue from the ladder(s). 
4. If the fallen worker is not conscious or cannot reliably help with the rescue, at least two rescuers may be needed. 
5. If the fallen worker is suspended directly from a lanyard or a lifeline, securely attach a separate lowering line to the harness. 
6. Other rescuers on the ground (or closest work surface) should lower the fallen worker while the rescuer on the ladder guides the fallen worker to the ground (or work surface). 
7. Once the fallen worker has been brought to a safe location, administer first aid and treat the person for suspension trauma and any other injury. 
8. Arrange transportation to hospital if required. 

C. Rescue from Work Area or Floor Below — if the fallen worker is suspended near a work area and can be safely reached from the floor below or the area from which they fell, use the following procedure. 

1. Ensure that rescuers are protected against falling. 
2. If possible, securely attach a second line to the fallen worker’s harness to help rescuers pull the fallen worker to a safe area. You will need at least two strong workers to pull someone up to the level from which they fell. 
3. Take up any slack in the retrieving line to avoid slippage. 
4. Once the worker has been brought to a safe location, administer first aid and treat the person for suspension trauma and any other injury. 
5. Arrange transportation to hospital if required. 

Post-Rescue Procedure 

• All non-affected workers should remain in the designated safe gathering zone until the site supervisor notifies them to do otherwise.
• The site supervisor and health and safety representative should Begin the accident investigation.
• Quarantine all fall-arrest equipment that may have been subjected to fall fatigue effects and/or shock loading for further investigation. 
• Secure the area (an accident scene not be disturbed where a fatal or critical injury has occurred). 
• Determine whether or not the job site-specific rescue and evacuation plans were followed as designed. 
• Record modifications or additions to the plans that the rescue team deems necessary. 
• Record all documented communications with fire, police, and other contractors involved. 
• Record all documented statements from employees, witnesses, and others. 
• Save all photographs of the incident. 
• Record all key information such as dates, time, weather, general site conditions, and specific accident locales including sketches of the immediate incident area, complete with measurements if applicable.