6 Steps for Rescuing Construction Workers From a Potentially Fatal Fall6 Steps for Rescuing Construction Workers From a Potentially Fatal Fall

Falls can occur quickly, even when workers are careful and using proper fall prevention and protection methods. If a fall does occur and a worker is suspended in a harness for longer than a few minutes, a lack of circulation can lead to nausea, unconsciousness and even death. With such time limitations, it’s critical to have a rescue plan that goes beyond simply calling 911. 

As part of this year’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction event, the Center for Construction Research and Training, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and OSHA recently hosted a webinar to educate construction employers and crew leaders on how to appropriately prepare for fall rescue.   

Here are six steps for responding to a fall recommended by webinar presenter Richard Trewyn, the National Roofing Contractors Association director of risk education and training. 

1 | Create and implement your rescue plan. 

“Rescue should be addressed in your company’s written safety program as part of its fall protection plan,” said Trewyn. 

When creating a fall protection plan, there are two basic elements of rescue: delaying orthostatic shock and bringing the fallen worker to a supporting surface.  

“Most rescue units want to be working on a patient at ground level,” said Trewyn, “so we want to do as much as we can to get them to a stable surface.” 

Related:5 Self-Rescue Techniques to Delay Suspension Trauma

2 | Call 911. 

If the person is at risk of suspension trauma or other injuries, immediately call emergency services. However, keep in mind that many rescue workers are not trained in high-angle rescue, which involves rescuing people from places that cannot be reached by aerial ladders.  

“Even with calling emergency services, you have to understand that you may have to do this yourself,” said Trewyn. 

3 | Determine if suspension trauma is a concern, and work to mitigate it.  

Suspension trauma—also known as orthostatic intolerance, incompetence or shock—can occur when legs are not moving and are lower than the heart. It may be complicated by other injuries from a fall, such as neck trauma, broken bones or cuts. Suspension trauma is a particular concern when someone who has fallen is suspended in a harness.  

Researchers say death can occur after a short time suspended in a harness, according to Trewyn. Signs of suspension trauma include: 

4 | Utilize rescue equipment. 

Often, equipment on-site can be used in rescue efforts. This includes ladders, scaffolds, personnel lifts and pulleys. 

Related:5 Top Causes of Ladder Incidents and How to Prevent Them

More specialized rescue equipment can also include drop-down ladder systems, descent devices, rescue poles, winches and backpacks with built-in descent devices.  

“If using a backpack, make sure it is made for the height you’ll be working in,” said Trewyn. “You don’t want to run the risk of lowering yourself down into an area where you can’t be rescued.” 

5 | Handle the rescued worker carefully. 

The quick release of pooled blood from the legs can cause cardiac arrest, said Trewyn. Placing the person in a sitting position with bent legs could help slow down that release of blood, as long as you remain mindful of other potential injuries the fall may have caused. Administer oxygen if available. 

6 | Take equipment out of service. 

OSHA requires that personal fall arrest equipment that has been subjected to “impact loading” be immediately removed from service and not used again until inspected by a "competent person"—defined by the agency as someone "capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in any personal fall protection system or any component of it ... and who has authorization to take prompt, corrective action to eliminate the identified hazards." Impact loading includes the type of forces experienced during a fall.  

The inspection must determine the equipment to be undamaged and suitable for reuse before it is returned to the jobsite.  

Additionally, educate and train your team and subcontractors on self-rescue strategies prior to a fall on-site. Many of these techniques make use of harness straps, such as the boatswain technique, the prussic loop, the lifeline loop and the foot wrap. Suspension trauma straps and slings are also available, and if your company has them, employees should be trained on their use. 

“In reality,” said Trewyn, “these techniques are about how we can prevent or delay orthostatic shock so that rescuers can get to us.”