Fall Protection Friday: Post-Fall Rescue - Why Minutes Matter

This Weeks Toolbox Talk Attached Below!

Welcome back, let's Build Smart & Build Safe! We’ve spent this week focused on emergency response. Today, on Fall Protection Friday, we address a specialized, time-critical emergency: Rescue after a Fall Arrest.

Your fall arrest system is designed to save your life during the fall, but it immediately creates a new, deadly hazard once the fall has been stopped. The time between fall arrest and rescue is life-critical.

The Silent Killer: Suspension Trauma

When a worker hangs suspended in a harness, the leg straps can compress major veins, restricting blood flow back to the heart. This is known as Suspension Trauma.

• The Danger: Within minutes, blood pools in the legs. If the worker remains suspended, this can lead to dizziness, fainting, severe shock, and potentially organ damage or death.

• The Time Limit: The general consensus is that a worker hanging in a harness must be rescued and brought to a safe surface within 10 minutes to prevent serious, lasting injury or fatality.

Rescue: The Immediate Priority

When a fall occurs, the priority immediately shifts from fall prevention to rescue.

1. Stop Work & Alert: Immediately call the site supervisor and emergency services (911). Activate the site’s Rescue Plan—which should be in place before any fall protection is used.

2. Provide Support (If Possible): If trained, attempt to provide the worker with a means to relieve pressure on their legs. This could be a rescue step or loop that allows them to stand up in their harness.

3. Prompt Retrieval: Rescue cannot wait for the fire department if they will take too long. If using a mechanical retrieval system, follow the procedure immediately. If a rescue team is on site, they must mobilize without delay.

Never leave a worker hanging to go find help. Secure the area, alert others, and begin the rescue plan immediately. Preparedness and speed are the only things that will save a worker from suspension trauma.

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-The Safety Man