Fall Protection Rescue Fall Protection Rescue Company Harlan McPhee North McPhee South Powerhawke Ravex Richards Company Using the Form Job Name * Job Name and/or Number Date * Fall Protection Rescue IN THE EVENT OF A FALL, RESCUE MUST BE IN A TIMELY MANOR • The employer shall provide for prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall or shall assure the self-rescue capability of employees. • Suspension Trauma’ - The medical effects of immobilization in a vertical position - Medical term is ‘Orthostatic Intolerance’ • It presents an immediate threat of death to anyone immobilized in a vertical position • The onset and progress are rapid and unpredictable • All those ‘working at height’ must be trained in how to recognize, manage and prevent suspension trauma. • Suspension trauma can only affect someone who is immobile – specifically not using their leg muscles to any great extent • It does not normally affect people who wear a harness who are: - Actively moving about (climbing, caving, etc) - Suspended for only a minute or two (parachutists) • The danger is when someone is unable to move, or forgets, or just doesn’t bother to move! • General feelings of unease - Dizzy, sweaty and other signs of shock - Increased pulse and breathing rates - Then a sudden drop in pulse & BP - Loss of consciousness • If not rescued, death is certain - From suffocation due to a closed airway, or from lack of blood flow and oxygen to the brain. • If the muscles are not pumping the blood upwards, it pools in your legs - You can ‘lose’ several pints and go into shock • Your brain tries ‘shock’ for a while, but of course it doesn’t help – blood is still stuck in your legs. • After a few minutes, it goes for the last-ditch method, If I faint, I fall over. I get the blood back. • It assumes you must fall over. If you stay upright:- - Your brain has no oxygen supply - Your airway is at risk • Research shows that death can result in as little as 10 minutes. OK, so we rescue them! • No so fast! There’s something important to deal with • The blood that is trapped in the legs may not be in very good condition, and may even kill the person if we let it all pour back into their brain! • Pooled blood in the legs is ‘stale’ after 10-20 mins. Re-elevating the legs returns this to the rest of the body in a massive flood • Anyone released from immobile suspension should be kept in a sitting position for at least 30 minutes You need to stop ‘professionals’ doing the wrong thing and laying your patient flat on a trolley or hospital bed • If you’re trapped and cannot move - Strain your leg muscles as hard as you can every 5 seconds - Breathe slowly and deeply - You’re going to be needing rescue! • All you need is to get your knees level or higher than your hips – the position you’d be in if you were sitting on a chair • You can either sit ON something (a ledge, a plank of wood, etc) or put something under your knees (rope, strap, hose, wire.. Anything!) • Carrying something as simple as an 8ft length of webbing or thin rope is all you need. • All casualties must be ‘immediately rescued’ - Abseil (rappel) rescue kits, winches, cranes, ladders & aerial lifts will work - Suspension trauma is more important than other injuries – remember life over limb. Don’t be afraid of hurting someone to rescue them! • On-site first responders and communications are vital • Never work alone! Who’s going to help you? • Remember although suspension trauma is rare, it can happen to anyone. • If you are wearing a fall protection harness, ask yourself and your supervisor, “If I fall, how am I going to be rescued?” Additional Comments Foreman Name * Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Picture Upload Drop a file here or click to upload Choose File Maximum upload size: 52.43MB reCAPTCHA Submit Δ
