“Guidance on rescue during working at height” & their role within the “Working at height regulations 2005 Delivered by Daniel McNess Abseil Inspector / Emergency Rescue Co-ordinator Severn Bridges

Background There are three main reasons why employers need to make provision for rescue arrangements when working at height: 1. the Work at Height Regulations require this 2. the casualty needs to be attended to and recovered quickly 3. it is your (employer’s) responsibility and not some other individual or organisation

The law Organisation and planning – Regulation 4 (1)Every employer shall ensure that work at height is... properly planned (2) Planning or work include planning for emergencies and rescue. In addition, the following regulation requires that all activities, including rescue, must be carried out by competent persons: Competence – Regulation 5 “having the skill or knowledge to do something well” Every employer shall ensure that no person engages in any activity, including…. Planning, and supervision, in relation to work at height….unless [they are] competent to do

Guidance on the Working at Height Regulations 2005 Where it is not possible to work from the existing structure and the use of a scaffold working platform is not appropriate, a range of mobile access equipment including mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), Gantries, Suspended Cradles and Rope Access Equipment can be used. Ladders are to be used for access only unless for short duration work that has been risk assessed.

Working at Height Hierarchy – 1 st Choice = Guardrails & Working Platforms Acce ss Cradl es

Working at Height Hierarchy – 1 st Choice = Guardrails & Working Platforms Access Gantries

Working at Height Hierarchy – 1 st Choice = Guardrails & Working Platforms Mobile Elevated Working Platform

Working at Height Hierarchy – 2nd Choice = Personal Fall Prevention (Work Restraint) Full Body Harnesses with Adjustable Lanyards

Working at Height Hierarchy – 2nd Choice = Personal Fall Prevention (Work Restraint) Rope Access Techniques

Working at Height Hierarchy – 2nd Choice = Personal Fall Prevention (Work Restraint) Rope Access / Fall Restraint Techniques

Working at Height Hierarchy – 3 rd & Final Choice = Fall Arrest Fall Arrest Retrieval Block used in conjunction with a Full Body Harness

Aims & Objectives of the Rescue Plan To ensure effective liaison with the emergency services where appropriate To undertake suitable and sufficient working at height risk assessments of all premises and activities within the organisation, with a clearly defined workable rescue plan We have the …. SEVERN RIVER CROSSING PLC AND LAING O’ROURKE INFRASTRUCTURE – EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES

Guidance on the Working at Height Regulations 2005 Avoid work at height wherever and whenever possible. Use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls where working at height can not be avoided. Where the risk of a fall can not be eliminated, use work equipment or other measures to minimize the distance and consequences of a fall should one occur. Ensure all work at height is properly planned and organized Ensure that all those involved in work at height are competent To identify and implement reasonably practicable control measures to control the risk from working at heights To conduct at least annually height evacuation drills and testing of emergency rescue equipment To conduct regular safety inspections

Guidance on the Working at Height Regulations 2005 That the risks from work at height are assessed. That appropriate work equipment is selected and used. That risks from fragile surfaces are properly controlled. That equipment for work at height is properly inspected and maintained including Schedules giving requirements for existing places of work and means of access for work at height.

Responsibilities An appointed Working at Height Responsible Person must ensure that their working at Heights plans are implemented and adhered to on a sustainable basis in their areas of strategy responsibility. It is their responsibility to ensure that suitable and sufficient Working At height risk assessments and emergency rescue/ evacuation plans are carried out by competent persons for all the above operations.

All staff that work at height shall be trained in the use of the equipment, trained in evacuation and informed at induction of this policy. All employees, contractors, visitors and others will ensure that they participate with the requirements of the Working at Height risk assessment process and will ensure that they comply with the arrangements made to control the risks from Working at Height hazards. Your Responsibilities

The survival of an injured person often depends on the speed of recovery and the level of care subsequently provided. i.e. being suspended for any length of time after a fall can be potentially fatal owing to the effects of suspension trauma. When planning for rescue, consideration should be given to the type of situation from which the casualty may need to be recovered from. Why the need for a rapid response?

Thank you for your attention Do you have any questions for me? ?