THE BASICS Slings Aload, such as a lighting truss or speaker cluster, hangs from a sling (that has some kind of fittings for connections on both

Transcription

1 THE BASICS Slings Aload, such as a lighting truss or speaker cluster, hangs from a sling (that has some kind of fittings for connections on both ends. Chain slings, web slings, and roundslings must have labels that list length and working load limit; with missing or illegible labels they are illegal

2 Hardware Connections between slings and other slings, load, and building beams should always be standard items from rigging catalogs. Screw-pin anchor shackles, rings, and hooks comprise over 95% of this hardware, all of which must be load-rated and certified for overhead lifting.

3 Hoists Lifting loads is accomplished, at least 95% of the time, with either electric chain hoists or fiber-rope block and fall. Occasionally other kinds of hoists may be used, including pneumatic hoists, cranes, groundsupported lifts, electric wire-drum winches, or manually operated chain or cable hoists, but electric chain hoists are the lightest, cheapest, most practical, and most reliable way to do temporary hoisting for the entertainment industry. Commonly available sizes are one-half ton, one ton, and two ton, though larger and smaller sizes are also available. More than 90% of the chain hoists used in the entertainment industry are manufactured by Columbus McKinnon. For loads as light as a few hundred pounds, block and fall is also a suitable choice because it is cheap, light, and needs no electrical sys

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37 Climbing ropes Because rigging and climbing are linked in many people's minds, "climbing" ropes need special mention. Industrial use of ropes as a work activity requires them to be sourced with the necessary documentation from an industrial safety specialist, not a retail outlet. None of these ropes are suitable for permanent installation for equipment suspension purposes in entertainment venues. Diameters range from 9mm mm which are too thin to grip when used as a hauling line. There has been traditional use of "abseil" (low stretch) ropes by riggers. This is because they are light and easy to coil and knot. The tendency to use the same line to descend from work- stations when duties at height are complete is common. However, regular inspection and replacement must be carried out and any risk assessment would rule out their use as an abseil line.there are fundamentally three different kinds of "climbing" rope. 1) Dynamic ropes are energy absorbing and are truly "climbing" ropes. These should not be used for anything other than fall protection in a vertical environment using appropriate equipment and techniques. One of the features of dynamic ropes that is often overlooked is that they absorb the forces of a fall over their whole length. 2) "Static" ropes are the ropes used in rope access and rescue situations. These are low stretch, generally polyamide, and will stretch 2.5% - 5% under load. (i.e. a 20m length will stretch to 21m under a 150 kg load). These ropes are not designed to absorb the forces generated by a fall, and must never be used in situations where a fall can occur from higher than the anchor point. 3) There are also "arboricultural ropes" used in tree work and similar activity. A high proportion of their strength is in the sheath, unlike other ropes whose sheath is mainly protective. Designed to protect the tree and used where sharp edges are rare, great care must be taken to avoid abrasion when using these ropes. The braiding in the sheath is often only of 12 plait construction and they have an unmistakable appearance.

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44 WORKING AT HEIGHT The Work at Height Regulations The Work at Height Regulations came into force on the 6th April Like the Work Equipment Directive, the Work at Height Directive is a minimum requirement to be implemented in each member state in the European Union. The Work at Height Regulations (WaHR) implement the Directive in the UK, and replaces older sector specific legislation which did not refer to a central set of requirements. The Regulations are primarily points that must be considered when planning the work, rather than prescriptive standards, but will apply to all work carried out 'at height'. In general, the Regulations simply say work at height should be avoided wherever possible. Where work at height cannot be avoided, it must be carried out in safety and under 'acceptable ergonomic conditions from a suitable surface'; the work equipment offering and maintaining the highest standard of safety throughout the work at height must be used. The type of equipment should _e appropriate to the nature of the work, the foreseeable conditions of use and must allow people to move around without danger. This means that platforms must be big enough, strong enough, level and secure. They must also be selected with regard to the number of people involved and the likely frequency and duration of 'traffic'. This applies to platforms more than rope access, but as with the other UK implementations of European legislation, the regulations are 'goal setting' and leave the detail to the individual designing the work method and selecting the equipment for the employer. The use of risk assessment is assumed to be central to this process. There are 19 regulations and 8 schedules at the end of the document. Definition of "work at height": Work in any place including at or below ground level from which a person could fall. Obtaining access to or egress from any place while at work involving a risk of a person falling a distance liable to cause personal injury, but does not include access by means of a stairway in a permanent workplace. Work equipment with regard to regulation 8 and schedules 2-6 means anything used at work as a means of access.

45 Regulation 4. Organisation and planning. The regulation, in a similar way to LOLER, requires the employer to ensure that work at height is properly planned (including the selection of appropriate equipment), properly supervised and carried out in a safe manner. The planning includes emergency planning and rescue plans. Regulation 5. Competence. This regulation stipulates that employers must ensure people are competent to organise, plan, supervise and engage in any work activity, and in selecting equipment for work at height. The regulation includes the requirement for trainees to be supervised by competent persons. Regulation 6. Avoidance of risks. It is the duty of employers to make sure that work actually needs to be done at height, and if se the conditions are suitable in terms of ergonomics, fall prevention measures and falls distance_ are minimised. In identifying these factors, there is a requirement to cross reference the Management Regulations with regard to risk assessment, and to prefer collective measures over those that only protect individuals. Regulation 7. General principles for selection of work equipment for work at height. Selection of equipment to be used for work at height must consider: collective protection measures in preference to personal protection measures working conditions and risks to persons in use distance to be negotiated in using the equipment as a means of access the fall distance and likely consequences duration and frequency of use ease of evacuation or rescue any extra risks in installing, use, removal or evacuation or rescue from the equipment In part 2 of Regulation 7, the requirements for work equipment being selected by an employer are to be of appropriate dimension for the work to be carried out, strong enough for any foreseeable loadings, allow safe passage and comply with the general requirements of Regulation 6.

46 Regulation 8. Requirements for work equipment. Schedule 1 Schedule 2 Requirements for existing places of work and means of access/egress for work at height Guard-rails, toe-boards, barriers etc. Schedule 3 Part 1 Working platform Schedule 4 Part 2 Scaffolding Net, airbag or collective safeguard for arresting falls not part of a personal fall protection system Schedule 5 Part 1 Personal fall protection systems Part 2 Work positioning system Rope access techniques Part 3 F all arrest systems Part 4 rope access techniques Part 5 Work restraint system Schedule 6 Ladders Schedule 7 The details to be recorded in a report of inspection Schedule 8 Old Regulations replaced by the Work at Height Regulations 2005 Regulation 9. Fragile surfaces. The regulation to help in preventing falls through roof surfaces and on delicate structures. It does this by requiring suitable platforms or equipment is used to ensure that surfaces used as working places are not overloaded. The regulation specifies that the weight of a person is borne by the supports of the suitable platform or covering, not by the fragile surface itself. The regulation calls for adequate guard rails and other means of preventing a person falling through the material and warning notices be sited at the approach to fragile surfaces. Ceilings on sets and exhibition stands, scenery and stage construction in general are all examples of the application ofthis Regulation.

47 Regulation 10. Falling objects. Sufficient steps must be taken by employers to ensure that objects or materials cannot fall from a height. Where this is not reasonably practicable, measures must be taken that prevent any person from being struck by falling materials or objects liable to cause injury. The regulation also contains the phrase "Every employer shall ensure no material or object is thrown or tipped from a height in circumstances where it is liable to cause injury to any person". Regulation 11. Danger areas. This is a clear requirement to identify areas where people might fall a distance or where objects may fall and strike people. These areas. must, so far as is reasonably prcticable, be "equipped with devices preventing unauthorised entry" and be "clearly indicated". Regulation 12. Inspection of work equipment (for work at height). Only applies to equipment specified in the Regulation 8 (schedules 2-6). Equipment must not be used unless it has been inspected in situ after its installation or assembly. _ Generally all equipment used in work at height must be inspected at 'suitable intervals' particularly equipment used in conditions that will cause deterioration. Inspections should also be made following 'exceptional circumstances' that may jeopardise safety of the equipment,. Even if covered above, any work platform other than a MEWP or one from which a person cannot fall further than 2 metres is not used unless it has been inspected within seven days. Equipment covered by LOLER in Regulation 9 (4) must not leave an 'employers undertaking' or is brought in to be used in his undertaking from another without physical evidence of the last inspection carried under the Work at Height Regulations. This relates to work positioning and restraint equipment. Records of inspection are kept until the next record is made. Schedule 7 of the WaHR contains particulars to be contained in an inspection report. This regulation (12) requires that the report is made during the same working period as the inspection is made (to maintain the short interval period) and within 24 hours present the report to the person for whom it was made. The record must be kept on site or at the offices of the employer for 3 months after the work has ceased.

48 Inspection is defined as visual or any means appropriate for safety purposes, including 'testing '{here appropriate. Inspections must be carried out by a competent person. If equipment used has been inspected under Regulation 9 of LOLER, that record will be acceptable for the requirements of this regulation. Regulation 13. Inspection of places of work at height. This requires every employer to ensure that all surfaces of workplaces at height are visually inspected prior to each use. This is intended to create opportunity to clear debris, check for structural integrity of parapets, permanent rails or other fall prevention measure and any changes since the previous inspection. Regulation 14. Duties of people at work at height. This is an extension of the general duties of employees to report defects or activities which will endanger 'the safety of himself or any other person. It also contains the requirement that all employees use equipment in the way in which they where trained and in accordance with any instructions given to him. This includes compliance with specific prohibitions and requirements made by the employer by law or by any other person. This means local conditions that need to be considered, other contractors and method statement requirements. The remaining regulations are the usual revocations and exemptions for the armed forces. The schedules are at the end of the document and specify minimum standards for each of the categories of equipment. t is recommended that the reader gets a copy of the Regulations and Guidance documents since they will form part of many risk assessments and method statements for work at height 'he Statutory Instrument is number 735:2005 ISBN The HSE Guidance at the time of writing is reference INDG 401 and can be downloaded from 1e HSE website.

49 Working at Height in the entertainment industry No two people have the same definition of working at height, it is rarely the same for different jobs. Technically, it is defined as a place where a fall could occur and cause personal injury. The new Regulations will define work at height and the wide scope may surprise readers. In any situation, working at height is a hazardous activity. There are three main hazards. Injuries arising from falls Injuries caused by falling objects Falling from/collapsing structures Clearly, falling can injure the person falling, but could affect other people also. Failing objects can often affect a large area and many people. The work may include working off a catwalk, from a scaffold tower or a ladder. It may be Perceived that access to roof spaces is dangerous. Although there is risk in "climbing" type access, as a whole the entertainment industry uses more ladders, alloy towers and mobile access equipment to gain access to heights than any other method. That is the greatest usage and therefore where the statistically greatest likelihood of injury from a fall lies. if a "lean to" ladder is secured, the ladder is at the correct angle (approx 75 degrees from horizontal, or 4 units of height for every one unit away from the wall), the user can expect a reasonably safe climb. If the top is secured correctly the user is as safe as is possible on an inclined ladder. Ladders should only be used as a way of getting to and from workstations and as working positions only for jobs of very short duration. A correctly specified and constructed alloy access tower is probably the most user friendly equipment. It is also one of the safest because provided it is used correctly and if there are regular inspections (visual checks that require little specialist knowledge) very little can wrong. There are many ladder and access tower training courses available. Many manufacturers provide written information for users and employers.

50 Access machines (manual and powered) are widely available and make many access tasks 1ore predictable and time saving for the user. Basic training in the set up, pre use check and.se of the machine is essential but within the grasp of most people within a few short sessions. Mobile elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) are clearly the most practical from an access, point of view. They are however heavy and sometimes noisy, require fuel, servicing and 1aintenance and licensed operators. They can be dangerous unless the operator has training and experience in the particular environment concerned. They are unlikely to be appropriate in 11 but the largest or most modem theatres. Grids Working on a grid or similar "safe" but high area requires basic common sense. Do not carry or have in pockets anything that could fall whilst you are at height. Provide a suitable receptacle for personnel to deposit the contents of their pockets into before going onto the grid. Use a high sided tray or sufficiently stable bucket to hold work equipment or materials, not a cardboard box! Where possible, have a safe system for grid working. When anyone goes in the grid to work, have a system where they must follow a set procedure. These can range from a permit to work system, a simple flashing beacon at stage level that indicates work is taking place in the grid and the stage is a danger zone or at least a hard hat rule comes into force. Try to "design out" the need to use tools or small parts at height. Use a suitably thick hand rope (in good condition) to raise and lower tools and materials. Use a suitable pulley, rigged correctly if required. (A "Klein" bag is ideal for pulling up equipment and tools). Use a "lanyard" to secure tools whilst you are using them. An old film and television studio technique was to secure the lanyard end to a plastic ballcock or even a small plastic buoy from a chandler's to a spanner or tool. Beware of access traps and holes that have been temporarily boarded over. The edges of the grid and any gaps or changes in level in it should have properly constructed guard rails and toe boards. Access ladders to grids and similar areas should be as short as possible and where necessary have a fall arrest system in place. One of the ways of making a grid as safe as possible is to keep it as clean

51 and tidy. Obstructions and head injury hazards should be marked and padded if they cannot be improved. This includes access to the grid as well as on the grid and surrounding areas. Good lighting levels and a means of fire escape are other common problems. Alcohol and drugs. The consumption of alcohol or drugs at a time likely to affect performance or ability at work is a usually condition of employment. The entertainment industry has sometimes tolerated a drinking culture at work because of the unsocial nature of work patterns. Be under no illusion that working at height or being involved with a lifting or rigging operation under the influence of drink or non prescribed drugs whilst at work may be treated as a criminal offence should an accident occur. Planning the work. The important feature of working at height is that no matter what technique is selected to gain access to a height, the state of mind of the user, climber or operator is of paramount importance. Working in an environment where something being dropped can kill someone or where a slip or overbalance could result in a fall is a grave undertaking (no pun intended). No matter what aptitude one may have, the valuable gift of foresight is very useful. Before even thinking about working at height, consider the following: The need to do the work. at all - can it be done later in a different way? The need to work at height - is it important enough to involve a risk, however slight? The skills, training and experience needed to gain access safely, including getting back down again and what to do if things go wrong. How many people will be needed if things do go wrong?

52 Is the operation likely to involve roping items or materials up or down? Do you need to barrier off the area beneath? Are there hard hats on site for people who must be inside the barriers? Is the necessary safety equipment on site? Is it appropriate to the work and can it be correctly installed? Do the people doing the work have the appropriate training to use it? Has it been inspected and is safe to use in the circumstances that exist on site? When these questions have been answered satisfactorily and a risk assessment carried out, the work may be able to commence. Safe systems of work and the safety policy. If a "safe" system is employed, it must be appropriate. The law requires employers to operate a safe system of work. A safe system of work can be defined as "the integration of people, articles and substances in a suitable environment and workplace to produce and maintain an acceptable standard of safety. In this system, due consideration should be given to foreseeable emergencies and the provision of adequate facilities". Work at height should therefore only be carried out when it is the only way of doing the work. Access should be restricted to trained people and the method should be documented and supervised to ensure that it remains appropriate. Health and safety legislation sets out the measures that must be taken to avoid and reduce risk by good management which includes recording written arrangements and procedures. Develop a documented method of working at height and risk assessment. Educate workers and management in the method to further reduce risk. Prevent or reduce accidents by information about that method and current best practices. Develop and use an appropriate fall arrest and rescue system. Provide adequate supervision and training.

53 Harnesses and lanyards for fall arrest. Any work equipment must be employer provided, (if self employed the RSa W Act requires the self employed to carry on their business as though they were an employer) and therefore must be of suitable quality and design. A fall arrest harness is a full body harness with an attachment point between the shoulder blades or chest fall arrest attachment point. Some have added "polestrap" work positioning attachment points (not for fall arrest lanyards) at the hips and gear "racks". The standards used for fall arrest all aim to reduce the impact force on the body and the anchorages of the system to below 6 kn. To achieve this, the fall arrest system must conform to the individual standards set out and be used correctly. Any type of fall arrest system requires a full body harness to EN 361. A well fitted harness should allow an injured person to remain comfortable for at least 15 minutes. An uninjured person who can move limbs to assist circulation may be expected to remain conscious for a few hours. The shock absorbing lanyard used for fall arrest must comply with EN 355 and must be connected to the upper chest or dorsal attachment point on the harness. The connectors used within the system must conform to EN 362. By using these 3 standards in selecting equipment, the performance of the equipment is assured and will reduce the forces on the body and the equipment in the event of a fall to less than 6 kn. Simple work positioning (reducing risk by limiting exposure to situations where a fall could occur in the first place) can be used in conjunction with a fall arrest lanyard or system to provide' overlap' whilst the work positioning system is managed or disconnected. To use fall arrest lanyards with a work positioning harness ("sit" or "abseil" harness) is

54 dangerous. Fall arrest systems for work activity must be used in preference to rock climbing equipment. It should be understood that although a climbing harness may look like it will do the job, it is designed for a voluntary activity. The duties imposed on an employer (or self employed person) differ fundamentally from those of someone going rock climbing. Using a proprietary horizontal lifeline/fall arrest system on a lighting truss or truss system requires analysis by a structural engineer, and the approval of the truss manufacturer. It is not sufficient to simply clip on to a tensioned horizontal wire/rope fixed directly to the truss or a masterlink below the hoists.

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56 Helmets A risk assessment will identify the need for any worker at height using fall arrest equipment to wear head protection to guard against being knocked unconscious in the event of a fall. The general requirements of head protection from falling objects in the construction and engineering sectors require the performance assured by the standard EN397. The use of a climbing helmet to protect the user from side impacts and the possibility of the helmet being displaced is necessary when working at height. The standard for these helmets is EN There are a number helmets of EN 397 helmets with ventilation, but their chin straps will not as secure as a helmet designed for work at height. A lightweight helmet protects the head by absorbing the force of falling objects or objects the user may fall against. The helmet will therefore require a restraining strap and head cradle tha1 is designed to account for these forces and to prevent the helmet being displaced in a fall. This will usually occur when the brim strikes an edge as the wearer falls or brushes past an object. The cradle must fail before there is a risk of strangulation if the user was entangled and suspended by the helmet. Rope access technicians helmet to EN Helmet to EN397

57 Lanyards. The system needs a lanyard that is designed to "fit", that i to reduce the force on the person falling to below 6 kn. The use of a shock absorbing lanyard to EN 355 is required The lanyard must use appropriate connectors and be effectively attached to the harness and to the anchor or safety system. The standard lanyard is a maximum of 2m long. When the shock absorber is deployed, the lanyard will lengthen and increase the ground clearance required. The manufacturer's advice and instructions are essential for safe use. It is not possible here to accurately detail all the necessary precautions for every lanyard type, ea.ch have their own characteristics and needs. The correct use of lanyards and connectors is vital. If long sliding falls on structural steel occur, the shock load on "scaffold hooks" can break them. Most scaffold or ladder hooks are designed to be connected only to a large diameter round section at right angles to the hook. Lanyards should always be attached as high as possible and removed only when a second lanyard or other device is deployed. (For example, "leapfrogging" with two lanyards) This conforms to the theory of permanent attachment. Climbing above the fall arrest device is dangerous and should a fall occur, can create forces that the fall arrest system, harness or device and the supporting structure were not designed for. Lanyards should never be lengthened or adapted. You will only need the equipment to work when you fall off. It is therefore essential to use it properly if you need to use it at all. Connectors for fall arrest systems.

58 The connectors used to attach the lanyard to the harness and the lanyard to the anchor should conform to EN362 and be of appropriate design for the job in hand. Generally these connectors will be karabiners, but could equally well be 'maillon rapides' or other similar devices that comply with the standard and bear a CE mark. There are many designs and styles available, but in order to achieve the EN362 standard, the connector must have at least two consecutive actions required to open it. This guards against accidental opening in use and the 'automatic' type make sit less likely that the user forgets to close the gate and securing mechanism. "Back hooking" with twin lanyards. This should be avoided since the lanyard hooked back may bypass the effect of the energy absorber. Tests have shown this situation to produce forces in excess of 16 kn. Fall arrest inertia reel devices.

59 Most of these devices require an anchor with a minimum strength of between 15 kn - 25 kn. Although the devices are easy to use, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions. The devices must be rigged vertically above the user; a swinging fall can be dangerous. If the worker cannot regain a foothold and handholds, he cannot release the device and a rope or ladder rescue will be required. This is particularly important on a ladder or wire rope ladder there are devices that incorporate a 'winch' handle that allows the fallen person to be raised or lowered from the device. Although this means that there must always be access to the device, it does avoid the need for rope rescue training. The devices usually have a load limit of 136 kgs and cannot be maintained by the user. They should receive an annual inspection and service from the manufacturer. If used to sustain a fall, the unit should be returned to the manufacturer for discard. There is usually a wear indicator on the unit. Never allow the unit to "reel in" by it self; it will lock at its upper limit and damage the unit beyond repair. If used in situ on a regular basis by several people, a cord can be attached to the hook to gently allow the wire or webbing to gently retract from the ground. The cord needs to be the same length as the device's rope and at least 5mm diameter. The cord will make it easier for general use, since once one person has unc1ipped, a second person can ascend. Vertical rope fall arrest systems.

60 The use of these rope systems has several advantages over other methods of vertical fall protection. They are very flexible and versatile in use. They should incorporate a shock absorber which effectively limits the load on the structure to below 6 kn. The rope is a specific type (strength, diameter and construction) and must be specified for the fall arrest device used, but it is relatively cheap to replace. Damage to the ropes is easily detected and replacement is cheap and easy to make. Disadvantages are that: a) The rope can get worn on sharp edges and requires protection against possible chafing. b) If a fall occurs when the worker is not directly beneath the anchor point, a swinging fall may present risk of injury in certain locations. Careful rigging is necessary, and moving the rope to keep the anchor above the worker may be time consuming. Because of the low cost, a number of ropes can be purchased for the same price as an inertia reel device. There are a number of proprietary systems of this type, but one that uses a shock absorber is necessary for use in theatres and other venues with little or no structure that is able to sustain the loads generated by an arrested fall.

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63 Rescue A necessary step in planning fall arrest is to assess the method and risks involved in rescuing a fallen worker. The hazards in carrying out the rescue may outweigh the safety afforded to the worker and the rescuers. It has to be said that in many cases, the best type of fall protection is to use access equipment, not fall protection equipment. This follows the principles of prevention by eliminating the risk by eliminating the risk - the need to climb at all. There are times when climbing access is necessary in order to be practical. The size of the building, quantity and locations of rigging points (for example) and available access can mean that a machine is not viable. The site may not have a floor that can cope with the weight or doors that are big enough and so on. There will be times when it necessary to access flown structures that cannot be reached by conventional means. The position and scale of scenery can often make conventional access difficult. The pressures of time and manpower frequently conspire in the development of unsafe working practices. Employers who allow staff to work at height are duty bound to examine the real dangers rather than the obvious hazards. There are legal duties on anyone working at height to ensure their own health and safety and that of anyone who may be affected by their actions or inactions. To use any fall protection system within safe limits requires the formulation and provision of a rescue plan. The plan needs to account for the number of workers likely to be involved and their experience. A quick and efficient rescue needs to be ensured. Rescue plans An agreed rescue plan should be agreed in advance of work starting. This procedure should have a risk assessment and the information contained in this document may assist in formulating the procedure and risk assessment. The rescue plan will be site and condition sensitive and require review at each venue or configuration change. Contact with external emergency or rescue services must be in place before work starts if they are part of the rescue plan. Method statements and agreed documented procedure should be followed to ensure that this provision is made.

64 Different trim heights, scenery and structure or stage heights and grid structure may have significant bearing on the method adopted. A sufficient number of rescue trained personnel must be available on site during work sessions. Rescuers should be equipped with PPE (helmet, harness and twin lanyard) and a work positioning device. They should wear clothing and footwear suitable for climbing such as tracksuit trousers and lightweight boots or training shoes. Hair, loose clothing and jewellery should not be worn unsecured whilst on rescue duty. The rescue equipment selected (if any) should be checked before work starts and be held at an appropriate and accessible location. Understanding fall arrest and suspension intolerance Understanding fall arrest theory to ensure the risks are fully understood is important, especially where the venue is responsible for rescue of nonemployees. Should a fall occur from which self recovery is not possible, there are several points to note. It is a duty of employers to employees to provide information on risks to their health and safety at work under the HaSa Wa. Trauma and pain experienced following a fall and in a harness can cause fainting (syncope). Simply suspension in a harness without a fall taking place may cause fainting to occur within a period as short as ten minutes. (20% of otherwise healthy, uninjured people in a Danish study fainted within 10 minutes, 87% fainted within one hour). Some people have a predisposition to the condition (orthostatic hypotension) and it can occur in situations when the body is inclined away from horizontal for a long time. This happens because being suspended without adequate leg support causes pooling of blood in the extremities of the body and interferes with the return of blood to the heart. Low blood pressure (hypotension) results and the heart rate slows (bradycardia). If the fallen person is unconscious the situation can be very serious. Keeping the angle between the fallen person's spine and the lanyard to around 500 has been shown to help, this can only happen if using the chest attachment point on the harness. Raising the casualty's legs (in a sling or similar, see picture) whilst Rescue is being prepared will assist circulation and help restore Blood pressure.

65 Important information emerging relating to arrested falls and suspension intolerance is that when the casualty is back at ground level, the natural inclination is to place him in the 'recovery' position, particularly if unconscious. This is potentially fatal after harness suspension for any long period of time. The reason is that the blood circulates through the vital organs, being filtered, oxygenated and so on. If the circulation is impaired, this cannot happen, so the toxins and gaseous exchange are adversely affected. When the casualty is laid in a horizontal position is that although the circulation and blood pressure are restored, the kidneys, heart and lungs are subjected to enormous stress possibly leading to heart failure and death. These are extreme cases, but have occurred and must be allowed for in rescue planning. The best advice is to carry out the rescue, but to keep the casualty in a crouching position (simulating the suspended position) for at least 30 minutes and in any case until a medically qualified person can take over. It is therefore important to tell the emergency services telephone operator that harness suspension trauma is involved. The possibility of other injuries must be considered, and the principle of ABC should be used as the order of priority. (Airway, breathing, circulation). A speedy rescue is essential. Ideally a period of around 10 minutes is the target time to get a suspended person to the ground for medical attention. Because rescues will be hopefully few and far between, the skills required need practising on a regular basis. It is to be hoped that people will never need to use their rescue training. Any rescue "team" members will need special training because of the teamwork involved. This is not basic awareness training, but a specialist skill that requires a system of work and regular review and practice to ensure skills remain sharp. Rescue staff and equipment must be available when there is a risk of suspension trauma as a result of work activity. Like so many other aspects of height safety, when the accident happens the plan must already be in place. Finding a worker suspended unconscious from a lighting truss or roof beam is not the time to think about the best way of getting him down. The roof of a venue is not the place to learn how to abseil to an injured colleague. Training and experience are the only ways to ensure any measure of competence. The first thing to appreciate is just what can go wrong.

66 Inspection of PPE for work at height. Like any work equipment, the PPE selected must be appropriate to the task and the users must Be trained to use it correctly. This requires specific training which is unlikely to be within the competence of the employer. Users must not only be trained to use the equipment as designed and in appropriate circumstances, but also to be able to make inspections of the equipment and accessories prior to use. Routine recorded inspections should be defined and carried out by competent people appointed by the employer. The inspection intervals should be identified according to frequency and conditions of use based on experience and on the manufacturers' recommendations. An 'annual' inspection may not be appropriate in many cases and the manufacturer's advice about appropriate inspection intervals should be used when writing procedures and method statements. Statutory inspections for PPE treated as lifting equipment as defined by LOLER should be made by competent persons at six monthly intervals or in accordance with a written inspection scheme. Work positioning, rope access and rescue equipment are all covered by LOLER because the weight of the users is carried by the equipment. Appropriate storage must be available to keep the PPE clean and in good condition. Pre use checks include checking for damage, wear and abrasion to webbing, deformation or corrosion to metal parts and deformation or impact to helmet shells and cradles. Wear is most likely where webbing is repeatedly contacted by metal or other webbing, such as at attachment points and connections. Loose stitching, cuts and tears are not acceptable and such equipment should be withdrawn from service. Energy absorbers that have been deployed or any equipment that has sustained a fall should be marked, withdrawn from service and referred to a competent person. If there is any doubt about an item of equipment, do not use it. If this means that work cannot be carried out in accordance with safety method statements, the work should be halted until a correct replacement can be made. The HSE have produced a free guide to inspection of fall arrest equipment using webbing or rope components in their Industry Guidance series

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69 Medical fitness self certification for practical work at height training Because you may be performing some work at height and physical work that may be found strenuous by some people, we ask that you sign the statement below. I confirm that to the best of my belief I do not suffer from any condition which might impair my performance when working at height and that I am not taking any medication, drug or other substance which may affect my physical or mental ability. "Contra indications" for work at height include: Heart disease, angina or chest pain High blood pressure Epilepsy, fits or blackouts Diabetes Fear of heights, vertigo Giddiness/difficulty in balancing Impaired limb, hand or foot function Alcohol or drug dependence Pregnancy Psychiatric illness or counselling Signed.... Print Date...