EAP Actions
Emergency-response actions
- Call 9-1-1 or other emergency numbers indicated on the emergency-response plan. Use 9-1-1 for ambulance service but remember that most 9-1-1 responders are not trained to rescue an injured worker suspended in a personal fall-arrest system. Rescue procedures should ensure prompt response to a suspended worker. The 9-1-1 number does not ensure prompt response. First responders should clear a path to the victim. Others should be sent to direct emergency personnel to the scene.
- Make sure only qualified personnel attempt a technical rescue.
- Prohibit all nonessential personnel from the rescue area.
- Talk to the victim; determine the victim's condition, if possible.
- If the victim is accessible, comfort and check vital signs. If necessary, administer CPR and attempt to stop bleeding.
- Do not attempt a solo rescue if the victim is suspended. Wait for trained emergency responders.
Accident investigation guidelines
- Only trained and qualified persons should conduct accident investigations.
- Report fatalities and catastrophes to OSHA within eight hours.
- Report injuries requiring overnight hospitalization to OSHA within 24 hours.
- Identify all equipment associated with the accident and put it out of service until the accident investigation is complete.
- Document the scene, determine the sequence of events, and analyze the surface and root causes.
- Review the fall-protection plan; determine how the plan could be changed to prevent similar accidents; revise the plan accordingly.
- Have a qualified person examine equipment associated with the accident; if damaged, repair or replace it. If it contributed to the accident, determine how and why, then replace it.
- Do not disturb the scene of a fatality or catastrophe.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-10. As part of a scaffold safety program, who should be authorized to attempt a technical rescue after an accident?
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