Developing a Rescue Plan
- Identify critical resources and rescue equipment: Prompt rescue won't happen without trained responders, appropriate medical supplies, and the right equipment for the emergency.
How to Rescue
- First-aid supplies: Every work site needs medical supplies for common injuries.
- Does your site have a first-aid kit for injuries that are likely to occur?
- Store the supplies in clearly marked, protective containers and make them available to all shifts.
- Rescue equipment: Identify on-site equipment that responders can use to rescue a suspended worker.
- Extension ladders and mobile lifts are useful and available at most sites.
- Determine where and how each type of equipment would be most effective during a rescue.
- Think about seasonal and environmental conditions and how they may affect rescue equipment and those who use it. Equipment that works for summer rescues may not work for winter rescues.
- Will your longest ladder reach a suspended worker?
- If not, what equipment will reach the worker?
- When equipment is needed for a rescue, will workers know where it is and how to use it?
The most important question to ask about the rescue equipment is if it will permit rescuers to reach a fall victim. If it can't reach the victim, it's useless. It's also important to make sure it's available when rescuers need it and that rescuers know how to use it. Questions to ask include:
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
9-3. What is the most important question to ask about the rescue equipment when responding to a fall?
You forgot to answer the question!