Understanding Suspension Trauma

Let’s look at suspension trauma, also known as harness trauma. Very simply stated, suspension trauma is injury or death caused by blood flow restriction while hanging suspended in a harness waiting for rescue assistance. This is why self rescue is so important.

As required by OSHA law: 1910…

So let’s take a look at what happens after a person has fallen and is suspended only by the safety harness, and has no method of supporting his own weight

Suspension trauma is simply the result of restricted blood flow to the trunk of the body as the harness tightens around the legs after a fall. Blood cannot easily return to the upper portion of the body, and collects or “pools” inside the dangling legs. As the blood supply to the brain gets smaller and smaller, the heart beats faster, the worker feels lightheaded. Finally the body loses consciousness. In a normal situation, the unconscious person would fall to the ground thereby allowing the blood flow to return to the brain. But an unconscious person suspended upright in a harness will not get the return of blood flow to the brain. Unfortunately, permanent damage quickly develops in the organs that are most susceptible, the brain and the kidneys starve from the lack of oxygen. This damage is irreversible. If left unconscious for more than a few minutes, the worker will die. Unfortunately, this certain death is just an inevitable consequence of being unconscious while hanging upright in a harness that restricts blood flow back to the heart.

It is very important to note that the health of the worker directly affects the speed of suspension trauma onset. A body weakened by the effects of heart disease, diabetes, dehydration, overweight, old age, disease, or fatigue will all speed up the onset and severity of suspension trauma.

This is why OSHA requires a “prompt” rescue. But what is “prompt”? Is it 15 minutes, 20 minutes, or 5 minutes? Here is how OSHA has resolved this question:

Within OSHA 1910.151, Medical Aid, the regulation uses the word “prompt,” which is supported by a letter of interpretation that clarifies “prompt” as being able to provide medical aid within 4 minutes if there is a potential for injury or 15 minutes if the program administrator deems that no potential exists for injury to the fallen worker.

So if there is any chance of injury or chance of the worker being knocked unconscious, OSHA requires a 4 minute response time.

I recommend that a rescue plan be written for every instance of fall protection, and that the rescue plan be practiced just like you would a fire drill. This will ensure that lives are not jeopardized, and that OSHA regulations are followed.

In my next blog entry we will cover the new Self Rescue Trolley (SRT) patent pending design that will make self rescue a breeze and allow all Safety Engineers peace of mind when workers use any type of rigid rail fall protection.

Thanks for reading!

As always- Stay safe, and I am here if you need me…..

Arnold Timothy Galpin, P.E.