A rescue plan is intended to support your risk assessment and provide a safe way to rescue personnel working at heights and minimise the risk of injury during an emergency. If you are working at height, whether on a cherry picker, MEWP, scaffold, tower or ladder, you need to have a carefully thought out and well-researched rescue plan.
Why do you need a rescue plan?
Over three million UK workers work at heights as part of their jobs, which poses numerous risks. Each year, falls from height are the leading cause of life-changing and fatal accidents. According to the Health and Safety Executive, 40 workers lost their lives as a result of a fall. These stats highlight the importance of taking adequate measures to ensure everyone’s safety.
Most of the hazards are obvious. However, for managers and leaders who only work from heights a few days a year it’s easy to overlook them.
- According to the HSE, Work at Height Regulations apply to any height-related work ‘where there’s a risk of injury from a fall.’ Employers must prepare for emergency situations and rescues before planning work at height. It can prevent injuries and fatalities. For PASMA Courses, visit https://globalflt.com
- It is essential to follow clear protocols and procedures in order to ensure that operators can be reached quickly and safely in an emergency.
- The severity of an injury can be affected by the speed of the rescue or the speed at which the worker is recovered after he has fallen. Delays in retrieval can have physical and psychological effects on the worker.
- The rescue plan allows the worker to be safely retrieved in the event of an incident while simultaneously calling the emergency services. The worker will receive immediate medical attention to avoid the injury worsening.