Byrne Group Safety Management System

EMERGENCY RESCUE PLAN FOR

OPERATIVES WORKING AT HEIGHT

Bovis Lend Lease

BBC WEST 1
PHASE 2

EMERGENCY RESCUE PLAN FOR OPERATIVES

WORKING AT HEIGHT

BB Contract No: 415

Copy No

Status
Draft for Approval

Issue Date
Nov 2007

Author

Authorised
Document Number

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INDEX

1 Purpose Page 3

2 Scope Page 3

3 Background Page 3

4 Emergency rescue of operatives working at height Page 4

5 Responsibilities Page 7

6 Emergency Arrangements Page 9

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Emergency Rescue of Operatives from Height

TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH LEADING EDGE RESCUE PROCEDURE PLAN
(APPENDIX “A”)

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this plan is to provide emergency arrangements for rescue of operatives in
the event of injury or falls in the course of erection, altering or dismantling of decking,
scaffolding, walls and columns, placement booms etc.
The plan will provide instruction to all parties on the procedure to be followed to rescue an
injured operative from height, bring them to a place of safety in order that they can be
treated for their injuries. It is designed to provide concise instruction to all parties on their
responsibilities in the event that rescue operations are required. This plan is also to be used
as a guide to train all parties in the procedure that needs to be followed for the emergency
rescue of operatives.

See Appendix A for an alternative system which can be deployed above level B3 in certain
circumstances

2. SCOPE

This emergency rescue plan covers the emergency rescue of operatives due to the
following scenarios:
 Injury whilst on a working platform
 Suspension in a safety harness following a fall

3. BACKGROUND

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR) require employers to take account of the
need for easy and timely evacuation and rescue in an emergency.

Operatives may need to be rescued at height for a number of reasons, for example, if they
have suffered a heart attack on a working platform, if they have injuries as a result of slips,
trips and falls on a working platform and if they are suspended in a safety harness following
a fall.

Safety harnesses

Special consideration is required for the procedure to be followed if an operative falls and is
suspended in their safety harness, possibly some distance away from the anchorage point
and structure. An operative suspended motionless in a safety harness will very quickly start
to suffer from physiological effects, commonly known as suspension trauma, due to

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restricted blood circulation in the legs and injury caused from the impact shock of a fall
whilst wearing a safety harness. This can lead to symptoms such as faintness,
breathlessness, sweating, nausea, unusually low heart rate and ultimately
unconsciousness, as well as injuries due to impact shock such as bruising, severing of the
femoral artery and tears to the perineum and scrotum.

It is essential that in the circumstance of suspension in a safety harness that timely, safe
rescue of the injured party is possible.

Safety harnesses should be suitable for the work to be undertaken, must fit well and be
comfortable. They should be worn correctly and all users should be trained in their correct
use. This will not guarantee that an operative suspended motionless in such a safety
harness will be exempt from suspension trauma, but it may delay onset.

If an operative falls and is suspended in their safety harness, restriction of movement or loss
of consciousness must be anticipated. Any person who has suffered an accident must
therefore be rescued extremely quickly. Previous guidance suggested that rescue should be
carried out within 20 minutes, but current advice is that this is too long. The aim should be to
keep the post fall suspension time to a minimum by getting the person back to a position of
safety as soon as possible.

If the faller is both conscious and uninjured they are most likely to be able to recover
themselves and/or be rescued by their workmates.

NOTE: Operatives who need to wear a safety harness should never work alone.

However, if the faller is injured, unconscious and/or suspended in mid-air, rescue is going to
be more difficult to achieve.

4. EMERGENCY RESCUE OF OPERATIVES

Pre Rescue Action

At each work location, before work commences, supervisor and operatives should verify
that this emergency rescue plan is appropriate and achievable, especially with respect to
the path of the casualty and suitable anchor points.

As soon as a fall takes place all parties must put this emergency rescue plan into effect, and
inform the emergency services if specialist attention is required. The site management must
be kept informed at all stages of the rescue, in accordance with the established emergency
procedures for the project. If able to, the suspended operative should be encouraged to use
the following techniques to reduce the risks from suspension trauma:

 If the person who is suspended is uninjured and is fully conscious, they should be
encouraged to mobilise all four limbs, i.e. by flexing the leg muscles, until they can be
brought to a position of safety. This will help maintain circulation.

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 Frequent ‘pumping’ of the legs against a firm surface will also activate the muscles
and improve blood circulation.

Emergency Rescue Plan 1 – Without Specialist Rescue Equipment

In the event of a person falling from decking, scaffold, or any other structure where
there is access adjacent to the suspended person then this procedure is to be
followed.

a) The first priority must be to recover the suspended operative from suspension as
quickly as possible, without endangering, unnecessarily, the safety of the rescuer(s) or
casualty.
b) Inform the Emergency Services (999), First aiders and the Project Manager (Graham
Ward) as soon practicable to make them aware that there is an emergency situation
and to request assistance. If the Project Manager is unobtainable, contact the Safety
Manager (Paul Quaid) or the Construction Manager (Rob McLoughlin).
c) First aiders are to make their way to injured operative to assist in their treatment for
any injuries and to assist in the rescue.
d) If conscious, can the suspended operative recover themselves or assist in their own
rescue?
e) Can they climb back onto a platform?
f) Can they support themselves on part of the structure so that they are not supported by
the harness e.g. get a foothold on a tube?
g) If conscious, can the suspended operative take steps to reduce the risk of suspension
trauma, until rescued? e.g.:
- Encourage them to keep all four limbs moving to aid blood circulation, by flexing leg
muscles.
- Encourage them to transfer body weight from one side to the other.
h) Rescuers shall move to, or create, a working platform at a position adjacent to the
casualty, clip-on to the guardrail, ledger or other suitable anchorage point, and assist
them to get onto the working platform. If the casualty is unconscious, then they must
be manoeuvred manually onto the platform. Note: If the lift is not boarded, then the
rescuer(s) should create a temporary platform a minimum of 3 boards wide, to
facilitate the rescue. Where guardrail protection is not provided the rescuer(s) must be
clipped on at all times.
i) Once the casualty is on a safe platform, their fall arrest equipment can be released or
lanyard cut from its anchor point, if it is safe to do so.
j) First aiders are to assist in the preservation of life and treatment of any injuries until
the emergency services arrive.
k) If conscious the casualty should be seated in an upright (W) position and not allowed
to lie in a horizontal or the traditional recovery position.

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l) If unconscious, the casualty is best managed in an incline position, with the highest
point of the body at approximately 20 degrees, NEVER LAID FLAT and steps taken to
open the airway.
m) Where possible, the remaining operatives should assist emergency services by
providing safe access to the casualty e.g. positioning a ladder, installing temporary
guardrails, securing platform boards etc. (Scaffolders to carry out this task)
n) The Emergency Services should then make their way to the casualty to administer
treatment and make an assessment as to their condition before deciding on the next
steps to be taken to get the casualty to ground level, using either the site emergency
rescue team, or the external emergency services.
IMPORTANT!
Where there is potential for “suspension trauma” to occur, the suspension time
should be kept to a minimum by getting the casualty back into a position of safety as
soon as possible. Any person who has been suspended in a safety harness MUST be
treated as a medical emergency and seek urgent medical attention!

Emergency Rescue Plan 2 – Using Access Equipment

In the event of a person falling from a scaffold, decking or any other structure and is
suspended by their personal fall protection then this procedure is to be followed.

a) The first priority must be to recover the suspended operative from suspension as
quickly as possible, without endangering, unnecessarily, the safety of the rescuer(s) or
casualty.
b) Inform the Emergency Services (999), First aiders and the Project Manager as soon
practicable to make them aware that there is an emergency situation and to request
assistance. If the Project Manager is unobtainable, contact the Safety Manager or the
Construction Manager.
c) First aiders are to make their way to injured operative to assist in their treatment for
any injuries and to assist in the rescue.
d) If conscious, can the suspended operative take steps to reduce the risk of suspension
trauma, until rescued? e.g.
- Encourage them to keep all four limbs moving to aid blood circulation, by flexing leg
muscles.
- Encourage them to transfer body weight from one side to the other.
e) On hearing the request for emergency assistance, the crane co-ordinator and/or
slinger/signallers will instruct the nearest crane to the emergency to lower any load
being carried as quickly and as safely as possible. This crane will await delivery of the
emergency man-rider that will, if necessary, be carried within its radius by the other
cranes on site.
f) The man-rider shall be lifted by the tower crane to a position beneath the suspended
casualty.

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g) If unconscious, ensure that the casualty’s weight is supported, and the casualty’s
primary fall protection equipment is released, e.g. removing the lanyard or cutting the
lanyard using a safety cutter, to reduce the risk of accidental injury.
h) If conscious, the casualty may be able to assist by climbing into the man-rider.
i) Once in the man-rider the slinger/signaller shall instruct the tower crane driver to lower
the casualty to the ground, at a point where it is easily accessible to the emergency
services.
j) Where access to the casualty by use of a man-rider is not possible or difficult then the
use of the Harness Rescue Kit must be considered. Only those operatives trained to
do so will use this equipment. A Harness Rescue Kit includes a roll-out webbing ladder
which can be fixed to a suitable anchorage point and lowered to the casualty to climb
up. If the casualty is unconscious or immobile then a rescue team member, suitably
anchored, can climb down the ladder and attach a rescue line to the casualty’s
harness. The team can then retrieve the casualty by pulling him up using the
specialised rescue equipment. Rescue Kits will be installed in purpose built containers
at the leading edge level of each work area. Monthly rescue drills will be carried out
and recorded and the equipment checked for damage. Rescue Team members will be
identified on a poster on the notice board and Task Briefing Post.
k) First aiders are to assist in the preservation of life and treatment of any injuries until
the emergency services arrive.
l) If conscious the casualty should be seated in an upright (W) position and not allowed
to lie in a horizontal or the traditional recovery position.
m) If unconscious, the casualty is best managed in an incline position, with the highest
point of the body at approximately 20 degrees, NEVER LAID FLAT and steps taken to
open the airway.
n) The Emergency Services should then make their way to the casualty to administer
treatment and make an assessment as to their condition before deciding on the next
steps to be taken to get the casualty to ground level, using either the site emergency
rescue team, or the external emergency services.
IMPORTANT!
Where there is potential for “suspension trauma” to occur, the suspension time
should be kept to a minimum by getting the casualty back into a position of safety as
soon as possible. Any person who has been suspended in a safety harness MUST be
treated as a medical emergency and seek urgent medical attention!

5. Responsibilities

Managers

 Ensure that the emergency services are notified in a case where emergency rescue
is required.
 Inform Bovis Lend Lease of the situation at the earliest opportunity

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 Ensure that all First aiders are issued with safety cutters
 Ensure that all other parties are aware of their responsibilities and the procedure to
be followed in the event that emergency rescue is required.
 Ensure that the Group Director for Health, Safety and Environment is informed and
that the relevant accident/investigation reports are completed in the event of an
emergency rescue.

Supervisors

 To ensure that they are aware of the procedures to be followed in this emergency
rescue plan.
 At each work location, before work commences, verify, in consultation with
operatives, that this emergency rescue plan is appropriate and achievable, especially
with respect to the path of the casualty and suitable anchor points.
 Ensure that the man-rider is available at all times in a place accessible by tower
crane.
 To direct and assist in a case where emergency rescue is required.
 Assist in communication by making site radios available and keeping airways free
when an emergency rescue is underway.
 Liaise with the emergency services.

First aiders

 To ensure that they are aware of the procedures to be followed in this emergency
rescue plan.
 Make their way to the casualty.
 Assist in the rescue operation.
 Provide treatment and preserve life until the emergency services arrive.
 To keep safety cutters with them at all times, in such a manner that they are secure.

Scaffold operatives

 To ensure that they are aware of the procedures to be followed in this emergency
rescue plan.
 At each work location, before work commences, verify, in consultation with
supervisors, that this emergency rescue plan is appropriate and achievable,
especially with respect to the path of the casualty and suitable anchor points.

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 To assist in a case where emergency rescue is required.

Crane co-ordinator and slinger/signallers

Slinger/Signallers & Crane Operators

 On hearing that an emergency rescue where a man-rider is required, cease all lifting
activities.
 Direct the crane nearest the man-rider and the crane nearest the injured casualty to
lower its load as quickly and as safely as possible.
 Attach the man-rider to the crane
 Direct the man-rider to the tower crane nearest the injured casualty by using the
other cranes on site.
 Direct the man-rider to a position beneath the casualty.
 Once the casualty is in the man-rider, direct the man-rider to the ground at a position
that can be accessed by the emergency services.

6. EMERGENCY ARRANGEMENTS

Byrne Bros to maintain First Aid cover on site at all times – refer to site safety file and/or first
aid posters for names of first aiders on site. In case of injury, initial treatment should be
provided by site first-aiders/nurse/paramedic. Injured persons requiring further treatment
should be taken to Hospital, by ambulance (dial 999).

In case where emergency rescue is required, a supervisor on site will contact the office via
radio relaying which of the emergency services are required, and the appropriate phone call
will be made using the above number. Bovis Lend Lease & Byrne Bros Head Office will be
notified immediately should any of the services be summoned.

Nearest hospital;

A&E
University College Hospital
Gower Place
London
WC1

All accidents are to be reported by following the procedure as shown in the Safety Policy.
Any incidents will be reported to BBL Staff.

High standards of housekeeping and site tidiness must be maintained to ensure clear
access at all times, should the emergency access be required.

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