Fall Arrest Rescue Plan Any rescue must occur promptly ~ this should be a primary concem when thinking about a rescue plan. OSHA, 1926.502 specifically states, “The employer shall provide for prompt rescue on employees in the event af a fall, or shall assure that employees are able to rescue themselves.” ‘The maximum time a person should be left in suspension is less than 15 minutes. But there are just too many factors, including a worker's overall health, o categorically state a specific rescue timeframe, The answer to the question “What is prompt?” should always be “Now!” We've created a basic outline to get you started making your own rescue plan (see below). Remember, this outline isto get you started, to get your creative, out-of-the-box juices flowing when it comes to rescue, As you read through the list, expand each section by continually asking “What if?” questions. IMPORTANT: “This document i intends 'o provide gudance only for developing site-specific rescue plans for working at hoihts. RESCUE PLAN ‘The purpose of this work instruction is to establish companywide guidelines for responding to a fall at heights. This work instruction should ensure that the victim's health risks are minimized during a fall. The rescue plan shall minimize the amount of at risk behavior of the rescuer during the rescue attempt, and that the rescue is conducted in a safe and professional manner. APPLICATION This work instruction will apply at all locations where personnel are employed The requirements of this work instruction are to be observed by all personnel involved in working at heights of 6 ft. and above or where a fall hazard exists This work instruction shall be reviewed and/or included in any Job Safety Analysis (JSA) or activity that require working at heights of 6 ft. and above or where a fall hazard exists,DEFINITIONS Rescue Plan: A strategy or procedure, planned in advance, to retrieve safely a person who has fallen from an elevated work surface and is suspended in a full body harness, to include self- rescue or mechanically aided rescue Self-Rescue: An act or instance of an employee using his fall protection equipped to perform a self-rescue Mechanically aided Rescue: A strategy or procedure, planned in advance, to retrieve safely a person who has fallen from an elevated work surface using mechanical means. RESPONSIBILITIES Employee Responsibilities: * The employee must be trained and familiar with the content of the Fall Protection Program * The employee must be able to understand and evaluate the risks associated with working at heights. * The employee must be trained and competent in the use of fall protection equipment prior to working at heights. * The employee must be able to report unsafe conditions and/or behaviors to the Person-In- Charge. Authorized Rescuer Responsibili * The Authorized Rescuer must be trained by a competent rescuer trainer before exposed to a fall hazard or a potential rescue application * The Authorized Rescuer shall be re-trained when the nature of the work, the workplace, or the methods of control or rescue change to an extent that prior training is not adequate. © Training for authorized rescuers must include physical demonstrations by trainees on how to inspect, anchor, assemble and use the fall protection and rescue equipment used in locations where they work, + Training shall include at least: ofall hazard recognition, © fall hazard elimination and controls methods;© applicable fall protection and rescue regulations; © how to use written fall protection and rescue procedures; © pre-use equipment inspection procedures * Authorized rescuer update training shall be conducted at least every two years to stay current with the fall protection and rescue educational requirements. * Authorized rescuers shall be evaluated by a competent rescuer or competent rescue trainer at least annually to ensure competency of the duties assigned. This evaluation shall include both a written examination and an observation of performance that covers all equipment that the person is authorized to operate. Competent Rescuer * Competent rescuers must be trained by a competent rescuer trainer. * Training for all competent rescuers must include physical demonstrations by trainees on how to properly select, inspect, anchor, assemble and use the fall protection and rescue equipment used in locations where they work. * Training shall include the use of all types of equipment and systems used in locations where rescues may be required, including pre-use inspection procedures, installation, component compatibility, descent control, secondary systems, packaging methods, dismantling, storage and the common hazards associated with each system and component. * Competent rescuer training shall include at least the following information: 0 fall hazard elimination and controls methods; © applicable fall protection and rescue regulations; © assessment of fall hazards to determine rescue methods; © responsibilities of designated persons under this standard; © detailed inspection and recording of rescue equipment components and systems; © rescue systems assessment and determining when a system is unsafe; © development of written fall protection rescue procedures; o selection and use of non-certified anchorages.PROCEDURES A rescue plan must be a part of the Job Safety Analysis (JSA) for any job that is to be performed that requires work at height. The rescue plan shall include consideration of the following rescue types and circumstances Self-Rescue Ifthe person working at heights makes proper choices in the equipment to be used and implements that equipment properly, 90% of fallen workers will perform a Self-Rescue which should include: 1. The worker will climb back up to the level from which he fell (a few inches to 2 or 3 feet). 2. The worker will return to the floor or ground and be reviewed for possible medical attention. 3, Remove all necessary components of his fall arrest system from service and document (bag and tag) the components involved in the fall with name, date and activity at time of fall and give it to their manager. Assisted Self Rescue with mechanically aided hauling/rope system If self-rescue is not possible then an Assisted Self-Rescue will be needed. The following guidelines should be used during a mechanically aided rescue. 2. The haul line may be swung over or lowered to the worker, who will grab the lifeline hook and secure it to the appropriate body support D-ring. A positive connection to the D-ring must be verified by one of the rescue team members. 3. The rescue team will raise or lower the fallen employee to the appropriate work platform or ground and take care of the rescued worker medically as needed. 4, Remove all necessary components of his fall arrest system from service and document (bag and tag) the components involved in the fall with name, date and activity at time of fall and give them to manager. Assisted Rescue with mechanically aided hauling/rope systemIf the workers injuries prevent them from attaching themselves to the rescue system, both self- rescue and assisted self-rescue are not options, a fully Assisted Rescue is necessary. 2. Arescue team member must attach the mechanical device haul line to the fallen worker's fall arrest system. This can be performed by accessing the worker and attaching directly to the workers harness or using a rescue pole for the attachment. The rescue team could also attach a rescue grab to the lanyard or vertical lifeline. 3. The rescue team will raise or lower the fallen employee to the appropriate work platform or ground and take care of the rescued worker medically as needed. 4, Remove all necessary components of his fall arrest system from service and document (bag and tag) the components involved in the fall with name, date and activity at time of fall and give them to manager. Assisted Rescue with mechanically aided aerial lift Another means to perform an Assisted Rescue is with a man-lft using the following guidelines 1. A worker will get into the aerial lift and make sure there is a second fall protection device such as shock absorbing lanyard or self-retracting lifeline available for the rescued worker. 2. The aerial lift will be maneuvered into position (raise up under the worker to be rescued) to perform the rescue. 3. Attach the second lanyard or self-retracting lifeline in the aerial lift to the worker being rescued 4, Disconnect the rescued worker from the impacted fall arrest equipment. 5. Lower the worker to the ground and take care of the rescued worker medically as needed. 6. Remove all necessary components of his fall arrest system from service and document (bag and tag) with name, date and activity at time of fall and give them to the manager.Site Specific Rescue Plan: Date: Job Description: Location:Contacts Rescue Equipment Rescuer(s) 1 Ladder 1 RSQ 10 Rescue Pole 0 First Aid Kit Competent 15 Rescue Rope «1 Life Ring. Person, a Crane a RPD Emergency 1 Scaffold 3 RSOO Contact Arial Lift Method of Contact: 10 Alternative Lifting & Lowering Device nPA Location of Equipment: 1u Verbal/Face to face dob Site 1 Radio Channel: 15 Gang Box 10 Phone Number: 10 Tool House 0 Other Check for Yes Comments 10 Have alternatives to using fall arrest equipment been considered? u Has rescue equipment been inspected and found in good shape? 13 Is equipment adequate for the rescue plan? a Have communication devices been identified, located, & tested? Are all rescuers familiar with the use of the rescue equipment? 11 If working over water, is there a boat available? Critical Rescue Factors Anchor Point Landing Area Rescue Obstructions/Hazards: Describe the tasks that will be done prior to work to prevent a fall and the step by step process that will be followed in the event of a fall Pre Work Tasks: Response Procedure: 1) 1) Notify Emergency Contact.2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 2) Make medical assessment of person. 3) If possible have employee perform self-rescue. 4) 5) 6)