Rescue
The requirement for rescuing any team member who becomes incapacitated whilst working at height should be identified at the Risk Assessment stage and fully described in the Rescue Plan.
If the rescue scenario is particularly complicated, a practice rescue should be carried out to ensure the proposed method can be successfully completed within an acceptable time span.
Rescue equipment
Rescue equipment, including a suitable First Aid kit, should accompany all operational rope access teams. This includes sufficient equipment to rescue a technician from any of the rope access situations in which they may be operating.
It is essential to ensure that enough competent team members are available to assist.
Rig for rescue
If the risk assessment shows that the casualty's position cannot be reached by the rescuer, or that the time required to set up and implement a rescue would prove too lengthy, then a 'Rig For Rescue' system should be pre-rigged before work commences to allow safe and timely access and egress of the worksite.
Before any rescue
The IRATA Level 3 Safety Supervisor:
- Assesses the situation.
- Attempts to communicate with the assumed casualty to ascertain his/her condition.
- Determines whether or not a rescue is necessary.
The supervisor should hold, as a minimum, a current HSE Appointed Person Certificate. Where the location of the work is deemed to be an extreme location — where evacuation of a casualty could take hours instead of minutes — additional first-aid training or emergency cover may be required.
Rescue team's orders of priority
- Ensure the rescuers do not endanger themselves whilst carrying out the rescue.
- Provide appropriate First Aid Treatment and prevent further injury to the casualty.
- Evacuate the casualty to a safe location where suitably qualified persons can administer effective treatment.
Casualty management must be constantly addressed throughout the rescue, with the rescuer taking sufficient steps so as not to worsen any injury sustained by the casualty.