Our business is safety and prevention is the first line of defense. Even with fall protection systems in place, though, there may come a time when a rescue is necessary. I’ve seen it on work sites, even when workers are taking every possible precaution.
That’s why I’d like to focus on rescue. Having a rescue plan in place is essential and at Malta Dynamics, we make it easy for you to do with our rescue plan template that allows you to customize your very own procedures for rescue.
Here are some factors to consider when it comes to fall rescue and retrieval.
Act Quickly
When an accident happens, the reality is that you don’t have a lot of time to act. On average, suspension trauma can complicate the rescue mission and the health of the person in danger within 20 to 30 minutes. OSHA cites the most common symptoms of suspension trauma to be:
- Increased heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Breathlessness and faintness
- Pain
- Fatigue
- Dehydration
- Shock
- Hypothermia
- And more
If you don’t have a rescue plan in place or the tools you need to quickly retrieve your workers, the dangers go well beyond suspension trauma and can lead to death.
Anticipate Change
Though it would be ideal to have a one-size-fits-all rescue plan, the reality is that you must continuously update and customize your plan as changes in the industry occur. Consider your typical and not-so-typical work sites and adjust your rescue plan accordingly. Anticipate changes from one phase of your project to the next phase.
Choose Equipment Designed for Rescues
Your fallen teammate may not always be able to help during a rescue and may be subject to suspension trauma and its symptoms. You may need to rely on equipment that can help bring him or her to safety.
For instance, you can equip your workers with:
- 3-Way Recovery Self-Retracting Lifelines: Malta Dynamics’ lifelines feature a locking pin on the side of the casing at the base of the handle that allows the dual system to work in independent fall arrest and winch modes. The winch mode allows for easy retrieval and the handle is deployed only when the winch functionality is activated.
- Rescue Ladders: Malta Dynamics’ 18-foot ladder rescue system features a progress capture pulley (belay device) and weighs less than 11 pounds for a lightweight solution to rescues at heights.
- Suspension Trauma Relief Straps: The compact and lightweight design of these relief straps keeps the device out of the way until needed and the wider strap accommodates work boots and helps with foot placement.
The more prepared you are for the unexpected, the better your rescue results. At Malta Dynamics, we can offer you the resources you need to create safe work environments and the tools you need to succeed in rescue efforts. The key is to anticipate the unexpected and know that your team can handle the job.