Safe Work Procedure

WORKING AT HEIGHT RESCUE

PLAN

Approved
Rev
Date Description Prepared Reviewed
No.
Project Manager
ELEVATED WORK PLATFORM Chris Jonathan
A 22/06/15 Alan Ryan
RESCUE PLAN Bonnington Chiew
 1 Scope / Purpose
This document is to be used as a guide in the event of an incident involving working at heights within the
Kwinana Filtration Project construction area.

This procedure should be used in conjunction with Emergency Services Quick Cards and associated documents to
provide the sequence and requirements for response to working at heights rescue.

The procedure outlined in this document applies to working at heights rescue within the area of the C204 Civmec
Kwinana project. It outlines in sequential order the requirements and roles of all key personnel that may be
involved.

2 Definitions / Abbreviations
 PPE – Personal Protective Equipment
 IC – Incident Controller
 ICC – Incident Control Centre
 RECEO & VS – Rescue, Exposures, Containment, Extinguishment, Overhaul & Ventilation, Salvage
 POI – Point Of Ignition
 CISM- Critical Incident Stress Management
 BA – Breathing Apparatus (SCBA – Self Contained Breathing Apparatus)
 ECO – Entry Control Officer
 FAB – Fresh Air Base
 HOT, WARM, COLD ZONE – Method of division of an incident scene to be able to coordinate personnel
involved in the incident. The least amount of people within the hot zone is the intention most often.
This is primarily utilised for HAZCHEM/HAZMAT incidents, however can be modified for use in many
First Responsescenarios.
 EPCM - Engineering, Procurement, Construction & Maintenance (Sedgman)
 SITREPS – Situation Reports, usually every 30-60 minutes
 EWP’s – Elevated Work Platforms
 FR – (First Response Personnel)

3 References
The following documents form references to this:

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 4 Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Role Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. Ensure effective, rehearsed and well documented First Response procedures are in
place
Appointed Construction 2. IC is on site at all times
Manager or Delegate 3. Ensure all appropriate training and authorisations are in place for IC
4. Ensure all required equipment and apparatus is in a permanent state of readiness
and serviceable
5. Provide logistical and specialist advice or support to IC

Primary Emergency Contact
(Call taker)
1. IC, Site Administrator will have Emergency call sheet next to phone 65955537
2. The call taker will then notify the IC on either Radio CH 1, CH 1 or IC Mobile Phone
3. Place Site Medic ( Sedgman ) on standby if not already done
4. Will then notify Project Manager or Delegate
5. Take log of incident as required

Incident Controller 1. On receipt of Emergency call IC will notify Safety Advisor of receipt and will
respond incident location
0
2. Do 360 Size up, assess need for further resources
1. On receipt of Emergency call site medic will standby
Site Medic 2. Drug bag, and appropriate equipment will be acquired and prepared
3. Site medic will notify IC of readiness to move
4. Standby and monitor radio
Safety Advisor
1. Standby as required

1. Raise alarm via Emergency Radio Ch. 25 Ph. 65955537

Person involved or first on
scene
2. Render scene safe
3. If a fire, raise alarm, attempt to extinguish
4. If within a building, personnel are to close doors behind them and leave the
building, muster as directed.
5. If injured personnel, render first aid assistance to level of training
6. Standby for directions from IC or call receiver

Area Supervisor 1. Coordinate notification of emergency responders

2. Assist in making scene safe
3. Evacuate personnel away from scene except for essential personnel

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 5 Personal Protective Equipment
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) for Responders

Level 1
Level 2 Helmet Goggles Safety Glasses Particle Mask Level 2 Coat Level 1 Coat Level 1 Glove
Helmet
Required during
Required, Required, Required, any glass
Not Required
Required, Required,
Not Required breaking or minimum minimum
minimum minimum minimum
cutting

OvEmergency Breathing Full Body

Biohazard Level 1
Level 2 Glove Responserous Safety Boots Rubber Boots
Inner Trousers Apparatus Harness
ers

Required, Not Required, Required, Consider Consider

Required,
Consider minimum
minimum Required minimum minimum

6 Hazards to Consider
HAZARDS TO CONSIDER

Traffic Flowing Traffic/ Bystanders Radiation NDT

Mechanical Hands caught in/between Biological Bodily fluids

Compressed gas systems such as

Pressurised Lifting, pulling, pushing tools and
seat-belt pre-mentioners, un- Ergonomics
Systems equipment
deployed pyrotechnics (airbags)
Sharp edges, Broken Glass,
Work
Gravity Un-even ground, slippery surfaces Driving under operational
Environment
conditions
12/24 v DC systems, fallen power
Thermal/Fire/ Fuel leaks, Explosive/Flammable Electrical/M
lines, generator sets and
Explosion Cargo agnetic
invEmergency Responseers
Sound / Portable engines, grinding an
Lightning Weather and location dependent
Vibration cutting tools

Hazardous Personal / Distressed Casualties/ Behavior

Hazardous Cargo
Substances Behavioral hazards (Mental Illness)

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 7 Procedure

1. Considerations of First Responseto Height Rescue

Trigger/Event
All users of personal fall protection systems, and others involved with work
at a height, should be aware of the following precautions that might need to
be taken in the event of a casualty being in a suspended position.

1. The longer the casualty is suspended without moving, the greater

the chances are of suspension trauma developing and the more
serious it is likely to be. Therefore, an injured person hanging in a
harness awaiting rescue should be removed from upright
suspension as quickly as possible. The aim should be to do this
within 10 minutes. This is particularly important for a casualty who
is motionless.

2. A conscious casualty should be encouraged to exICise their legs

gently, to stimulate circulation of the blood.

NOTE: manufacturers provide various type of suspension trauma relief

equipment for use by a suspended person. These can delay the effects of
suspension trauma, but they only work on conscious and able casualties,
so they are not an alternative to rescue.

3. Regarding the position of the casualty:

 during rescue, a position with the lower limbs slightly elevated FIRST
Suspension Trauma
may be preferable. RESPONSEPlanning
 After rescue, position the casualty in an upright sitting position,
with knees bent – DO NOT allow them to lie flat.
 Only move the casualty to a fully horizontal position at the advice
of qualified medical personnel.
 If suspension trauma is a possibility, alFirst Responsemedical
agencies immediately and advise them of the issues, the
casualty might need dialysis to protect the kidneys

4. 4. Following an accident, the casualty should be:

 Removed from the suspended position and cared for in a proper
manner;
 Given medical assistance as quickly as possible.

5. Users of personal fall protection equipment should be aware of the

issues surrounding suspension trauma. In addition some staff will
require training in rescue techniques or alternatively it may be
necessary to create a specially trained rescue team on site to be
available at short notice.

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2. First ResponseNotification and Deployment
Trigger/Event Action Responsible
1. IC to be involved and review the JHA and Rescue Plan compilation
JHA/Rescue plan prior to any works being conducted
Incident Controller
Preparation 2. IC is to be notified at commencement and completion of work at
heights activities.
Person involved or 1. Raise alarm immediately
Everyone
first on scene 2. Render first aid if possible
1. Raise alarm on Emergency Radio Channel 25, 01 Ph. 65955537
“Emergency, Emergency,Emergency”
2. Provide following information:
 State who you are
Immediate
Supervisor notified  The nature of the emergency
supervisor
 Location of the emergency
 Assistance needed – medical or fire
 Remain calm
 Wait for instructions
1. Answer emergency phone
2. Prepare to document the following information given by caller
3. The person calling for assistance will provide the following to the
call taker:
Primary Emergency  State who they are
Site Administration
Contact (Call taker)  The nature of the emergency
 Location of the emergency
 Assistance needed – medical or fire
 Remain calm
 Wait for instructions
1. Immediately call Site Adminstaration, acknowledge emergency and
IC notified/aware of notify of response to incident
IC
Emergency Call 2. Respond to incident
3. Notify all personnel of Emergency
1. On acknowledgement of Emergency call
2. Prepare emergency log for incoming and outgoing messages from
Emergency emergency personnel
Emergency 3. Place site medic on standby (if not already) Site Administration
Commenced 4. Notify IC if not already aware of incident
5. Notify construction manager/safety manager of a Emergency
occurrence
1. Prepare all equipment required for event of response to incident
Site medic advised
2. Notify IC of readiness and standing by Site medic
of Emergency
3. Organize to assist

Project Manager 1. Project manager moves to ICC to monitor progress of incident

Project Manager
Notified 2. Consider activation of local Emergency Services
1. All personnel that hear the notification of a Emergency will park up
and make safe all vehicles and equipment
Personnel Notified 2. If on roadways, remain in vehicles, be aware of emergency
All personnel
of Emergency vehicles moving along roads
3. Move to Muster Points
4. Monitor radio for any further instructions

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2. Establish and Maintain Control

Trigger/Event Action Responsible

1. IC dons correct/appropriate/minimum PPE
2. Responds to incident
3. Assumes command of incident from immediate supervisor on
arrival
4. Gains valuable information in relation to incident, reviews JHA and
IC Response to rescue plan
IC
Emergency Call 5. Conducts thorough 360 degree assessment/size up
6. Call in surrounding resources if required
7. Coordinate all personnel and resources
8. Evacuate area as required
9. Provide regular SITREPS to construction manager

3. Casualties Identified
Trigger/Event Action Responsible

1. IC Notifies site medic to move forward

2. IC renders life saving medical treatment awaiting arrival of site
Casualties Identified medic IC
3. Notifies site medic of number of casualties, potential priorities and
resources required

1. Site medic responds to incident

2. Medic to not enter scene until IC gives the “ALL CLEAR SCENE
SAFE”
3. Set up initial patient triage
4. Commence assessment and treatment of the injured
Site medic notified Site Medic
5. Transport as priority and injuries indicate
6. Liaise with IC as to additional resources (Ambulances, RFDS,
Helicopter, Police)
7. Patient names will not be stated over radio

1. IC Notifies Project Manager that there is a multiple casualty

incident and additional resources will be required.
Multiple Casualty
2. Project Manager to advise as to additional resources (Ambulances,
Incident
RFDS, Helicopter, Police) IC
(Greater than 3
patients)

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4. Response

Trigger/Event Action Responsible

1. FIRST RESPONSE activated and responds on Emergency call
being called over radio
Incident Controller
FIRST RESPONSE 2. FIRST RESPONSE moves to incident scene to render assistance
Activated By IC as directed by IC
First Responders
3. FIRST RESPONSE don correct and appropriate PPE for incident
4. Provide assistance to site medic as required
1. FIRST RESPONSE will initiate rescue of person(s) suspended at
height as per height rescue plan
2. Timely rescue imperative if person(s) aloft do not have suspension
trauma loops on harnesses
3. The use of cranes or EWP’s is to be considered as additional
resources in the event of a suspended worker at height.
4. Assess the situation fully before commencing a rescue operation
5. Request medical assistance
6. Identify proper position from which to carry out the operation. Incident Controller
Height Rescue 7. Identify proper anchorage points
8. Identify a point of safety to move the casualty to First Responders
9. Make sure all involved are aware of the plan to be carried out and
their role within it
10. Carry out the rescue steadily and in a controlled manner.
11. Make sure communication is maintained at all times
12. Monitor the casualty’s condition at all times and where possible
provide the necessary first aid
13. Conduct a review of the whole situation identifying areas of
improvement for the future
1. IC cordons off area, minimizes access to scene.

Fatality 2. Project Manager, Safety manager notified of fatality, no names IC

mentioned on radio

5. Conclude operations

Trigger/Event Action Responsible

Incident Controller
Incident Concluded 1. Command given to make up by IC
First Responders

Incident Controller
1. All equipment placed back into vehicles, ropes and harnesses
checked for un-serviceability and tagged out as appropriate
First Responders
“Make Up”
2. Items lost or damaged noted

All Clear Project Manager

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 1. Construction manager advised of incident closure

2. Construction manager will give all clear over radio,

“All personnel stand-down, incident closed, return to normal work”

1. Hot debrief to be conducted by IC directly after incident
2. Consider CISM counseling for team members and personnel if
Debrief IC
required
3. After Action Report to be compiled and submitted
1. Incident investigation to commence if not already done so

Investigation 2. IC to be involved in Tap Root to provide progressive reports on Safety Team

response, problems, contributing factors, scene layout on arrival

GENERAL DETAILS
DETAILS
Supervisor Date / /
Work Location Job Description
EWP No EWP Location

FIRST RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS

First Aid Rope Rescue Breathing HAZMAT Fire
Apparatus

□ □ □ □ □
FIRST RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS (When do Emergency Services have to know about the task?)

□ Contact Prior to Entry □ Other □

Contact Upon Emergency
Emergency Radio Channel
Emergency Ph
Nearest Pick-Up Point
EQUPIMENT REQUIREMENTS
NTS
Fire Equipment □ Basket Stretcher □ O2 Resuscitation Equipment
□
Rollup Stretcher Emergency Lighting
Rescue Master (3.1 Haulage ) □ □ □
6.1 Haulage Kit Rescue Strop
□ □ Polycarbonate Slide Sheet
□
Belay Kit First Aid Kit
□ □ Harness (Attach at all time) □
Other :

Equipment must be at job location Upon Emergency

□ Prior to Use
□

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 REHEARSAL REQUIREMENTS
Is this plan required to be rehearsed? Yes □ Date Rehearsed //

General Notes

RESCUE PLAN
EMERGENCY ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN
OCCURRENCE
1. Immediately note time of fall and contact the Emergency Control Officer on Radio
Fall has occurred Channel by calling EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY. Advice the
location of the emergency, the nature of the emergency, the number of workers
involved and stay in radio and/or phone contact. Contact supervisor or manager with
the same information.
2. The closest observer is to initiate Verbal Contact with the fall victim as soon as
possible to assess the level of consciousness, reassure and ask whether the fallen
person can assist in the rescue or —Self Rescue providing appropriate equipment is
available and they have been trained to do so.
3. The observer is to decide whether self-rescue is possible considering other factors
such as, is the equipment visibly damaged.
4. Rescue if safe to do so using the available stand by rescue equipment.
5. If self-rescue or assisted rescue is not possible or not safe, do not put other lives
at risk and wait for Emergency Services to arrive.
6. The nearest person must brief emergency services on arrival. Types of things to
brief on are:
 Gender - Male or female
 Age - approximate Weight – approximate
 Known problems from the fall (If any) - E.g. broken leg,
conscious/unconscious
 Equipment damage
 Amount of time suspended so far.
7. Assist where required when asked by emergency services.

Failure of upper control functions Where the normal upper control functions fail, the operator will use the auxiliary
while elevated controls from the platform to lower the boom safely to the ground.

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 Failure of the operator to be able Where the operator is incapable of lowering the EWP using the upper controls, an
to operate the MEWP functions appointed person familiarised in the use of the lower 'ground' controls will lower the
while elevated due to the following platform safely to the ground using the lower ground controls
reasons:

 Operator
 Auxiliary functions fail to operate
from upper control station
Failure of lower ground controls Where the lower ground controls fail to allow the boom to be lowered safely to the
ground, the spotter will use the auxiliary ground controls to lower the boom safely to
the ground.
Failure of ALL normal and auxiliary Where all normal and auxiliary functions have failed, the spotter on the ground
lowering functions should bleed the valves of the hydraulic arms. Ensure that spill kit is available and
absorbent pads are utilised prior to bleeding valves

Persons Made Aware of Rescue Plan on Site

Name (Print) Signature Date

Civmec Construction and Engineering Rev A Page 11

 8 SUSPENSION TRAUMA TREATMENT

The condition known as suspension trauma or orthostatic intolerance can be fatal and should be
planned for. If a fallen person has been hanging for 5 minutes or longer then there is a good chance
that the person has suffered some degree of suspension trauma and therefore the rescuer most
take this into consideration for post rescue treatment.
Sometimes excessive toxins build up in the blood pooled in the legs of the fallen person. After
rescue, if the blood flow is restored too quickly the body could experience an overdose of toxins
caused by the release of the pressure.
As a precautionary measure, a gradual release of pressure is recommended.

8.1 AFTER RESCUE (For Persons hanging in excess of 5 Minutes)

 DO NOT allow the person to stand up or lay down immediately

 Place them into a comfortable sitting position with knees raised
 Keep them in this position for 10-15 mins. and maintain an open airway
 Then, move them into a laying position for 10—15 mins.
 They may stand up once the first 2 steps are completed.
 Seek medical attention—treat other injuries

NOTE: if the rescue is completed quickly and the person has been suspended for less than 5
minutes then the treatment above is not required.

If at any stage breathing stops, CPR should be commenced as this takes priority over
suspension trauma treatment.

 Ensure the casualties airways stays clear

 Tilt their head back if they are unconscious
 Monitor breathing
 Treat for other injuries

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 9 EMERGENCY MUSTER POINTS

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