RESCUE ME! Assisted Rescue vs. Self-Rescue

Rescue planning can be a very tricky part of implementing a comprehensive fall protection program in the workplace. The biggest reason that system rescue is so difficult is because there are an almost endless number of circumstances that can happen in any workplace. A competent or qualified person is responsible for deciding which type of rescue plan is best suited for their facility and their fall protection system(s).

First and foremost, any facility with fall protection systems should always adhere to the Buddy System. If an employee needs to use a fall protection system to perform a task, there can be one, but ideally there should be two other employees present who are not using the fall protection system. Having two available employees is useful because one person can be available to call for backup medical or rescue assistance and one person can either monitor the employee post fall arrest, or they can begin to get the equipment that will be used for an assisted rescue. Also, it is easier to help rescue someone when there are two sets of hands. Prompt rescue after fall arrest is one of the most important factors in reducing complications from suspension trauma.  

ANSI Z359.0-2012 (2.9) defines “Assisted Rescue” as, “A rescue requiring the assistance of others.” Although this definition is not overly specific, the main concept is expressed: this type of rescue involves the employee who is using the fall protection equipment and at least one other person. There are many different ways that an assisted rescue can be approached. Due to the very nature of working at height and all of the potential scenarios that a worker may experience during and immediately after fall arrest, there are plenty of reasons why there should always be an assisted rescue fall protection plan in place.

Assisted rescue plans can be broken into two different categories: in-house and external. In-house assisted rescues can usually occur if the height of a fall protection system can be easily reached with a ladder, man lift, or any other device that is suited for rescue at that facility. An external rescue is when a secondary organization is employed who is not directly affiliated with your company. This company is usually hired to use their equipment and skill to assist with a post-fall arrest worker rescue. If workers are accessing exceptionally tall heights where commonly used industrial equipment cannot reach, an external rescue team will probably need to be involved in the rescue plan

Both in-house and external assisted rescue programs involve a serious amount of thought, planning, and practice to ensure that they are done correctly. Anyone involved with the rescue plan must be an authorized rescuer. ANSI Z359.0-2012 (2.12) defines an “Authorized Rescuer” as, “A person assigned by the employer to perform rescue from fall protection.” By that definition, the people who do the rescuing can be found either in-house or externally from the company. But, don’t be misled, there is a fair bit of information that authorized rescuers need to know. Anyone involved with rescue from a fall protection system needs to understand general information about the fall protection equipment that is being used and basic first aid treatment for a person who has experienced fall arrest. 

Authorized rescuers will also need to understand how to effectively use the equipment and tools that will be involved with rescuing someone post fall arrest. After training, the team of authorized rescuers should practice the actual rescue process. Timed drills are the most logical way to ensure that authorized rescuers are able to be effective and efficient. Whether an assisted rescue happens in-house or with a team outside of your company, it’s important to know how long it will take for a rescue to occur. If the rescue process takes longer than 10 minutes, it may be wise to discuss other rescue options or employ other equipment. And remember, if you are relying on an external rescue team and your job sites vary, those site differences may impact the amount of time needed for an external rescue team to arrive.

In theory, self-rescue is the ideal method for a worker to be rescued post fall arrest. Self-rescue has not officially been defined by ANSI Z359, but the term is relatively simple. Self-rescue devices allow a worker to return to a safe location after a fall arrest without needing the assistance of another person. The benefits to this style of rescue are clear. If a worker can rescue themselves, there is no need to worry about authorized rescuer response times and assisted rescue drills in the workplace. As fall protection technology advances, post fall arrest self-rescue will become a more realistic option. At this time, there are not a lot of options for self-rescue with fall protection systems. Equipment like the Anchor Trolley and controlled descent devices have made excellent strides toward enabling workers to rescue themselves. However, there are some applications where even well-designed equipment may not always be the most effective solution.

The ultimate goal for the fall protection industry is to simultaneously maximize the effectiveness with which a system arrests a fall and increases the speed with which a worker can be rescued from that system. For now, remember to thoroughly evaluate your fall hazards and facility layout to identify what type of post-fall rescue is best for your employees.

Until the next time, stay safe up there!