Marine Construction® Magazine

  • Home
  • RESOURCES
    • EQUIPMENT
    • MATERIALS
    • MANUALS
    • SERVICES
    • LEGAL
    • EDUCATION
    • SAFETY
  • SUBSCRIPTION
    • PREVIOUS ISSUES
  • ADVERTISING
  • WEBINAR
  • VIDEOS
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG
  • Classifieds
  • Jobs
MCMag NEWS
  • Contact of Bulk Carrier Atlantic Huron with the Soo Locks West Center Pier   |   May 31 2023

  • Link-Belt to showcase new era of truck crane   |   May 26 2023

  • The Costliest Risk That Marine Construction Projects Face—and How to Mitigate It   |   May 24 2023

  • FPT Industrial and IVECO are the definition of “global”   |   May 22 2023

  • The Unstoppable Rise of the Yanmar Compact Track Loader   |   May 22 2023

  • Germany’s ShibataFenderTeam supplies fenders for the expansion of the Port of Freeport, Texas   |   May 22 2023

 
You are at :Home»BLOG»GUIDANCE FOR FALL RESCUE PROCEDURES

GUIDANCE FOR FALL RESCUE PROCEDURES

Nov 26 2019 BLOG Comments Off on GUIDANCE FOR FALL RESCUE PROCEDURES 2155 Views

When a person is working at heights as one generally may encounter when involved in virtually any form of marine construction and is using fall protection equipment, he/she may require rescue if that person falls and suddenly finds oneself suspended in a harness. Prompt rescue is very important. Studies indicate that a person suspended in a harness may have blood circulation problems within a few minutes. Accordingly, a site specific “Rescue Plan” must be prepared in writing and maintained for all instances where personnel work at heights and are exposed to fall hazards.

When it comes to “Safety Attire” in the marine industry, manufacturers of such safety harnesses, slings and the like have designed and made available Safety Equipment designed to protect an individual from virtually any type of fall when working on a barge or offshore project.

The “Rescue Plan” should generally contain detailed procedures on the methods of rescue; methods of self-rescue; equipment used; training requirements; specialized training for the rescuer; procedures for requesting the rescue; and available medical assistance. Where the rescue may not be or cannot be solely performed by a jurisdictional public, e.g. city or municipal fire department, Coast Guard and/or any “Paramedic Type Emergency Response Agency then the “Rescue Plan” must contain detailed procedures on the planned rescue methods.

The “Rescue Plan” is a part of the written “Fall Protection and Prevention Plan” and contains provisions for potential self-rescue or assisted rescue of an end user of fall protection. The “Fall Protection and Prevention Plan” should cover every potential fall hazard to which authorized persons are exposed to.

Another important document is the “Pre-Incident Plan”. A “Pre-Incident Plan” is a formal written plan prepared jointly by the Contractor and any available emergency responders containing factors that need to be evaluated when assessing the potential situations, e.g. fuel storage tanks, energized power cables, hazardous material, cranes, hoists/winches or any barge mounted equipment or materials that may present a hazard that could affect a given situation during an emergency condition. The “Pre-Incident

Plan” is prepared, reviewed, updated, and approved by a competent person. The fall protection program manager from the activity reviews and concurs with the portion of “Pre-Incident Plan”, which addresses rescuing a person who has fallen and is suspended in a harness and incorporates this information into the “Rescue Plan”.

Following a fall from a height the end user of fall protection, who is wearing a body harness that is properly secured to an anchorage, may be suspended in the harness for a length-of-time if self-rescue or rescue by co-workers cannot be performed quickly as sustained immobility in a body harness may lead to suspension trauma also known as harness induced pathology; more specifically suspension trauma resulting from the accumulation of blood in the veins commonly called venous pooling. The symptoms (known as orthostatic intolerance) of suspension trauma include lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness and occasionally fainting.

Normally when an individual faints and collapses, the pooled blood is now no longer being held down by gravity and returns to the heart, where it is once again distributed to the body. Assuming no injuries are caused during the collapse, the individual will quickly regain consciousness and recovery is likely to be rapid.

When an individual hangs in a harness in a vertical or near-vertical position without moving his legs, the same thing can happen; only this time when he passes out he remains vertical. An accumulation of blood in the legs reduces the amount of blood in circulation. After an initial speeding up of the heartbeat, the heart rate then slows down and blood pressure will diminish in the arteries. The reduction in quantity and/or quality (oxygen content) of blood flowing to the brain leads to unconsciousness and harmful effects on other vital organs. If these conditions continue, they potentially may be fatal.

As one can see…the importance of a timely rescue of a worker suspended in a harness or who has become incapacitated due to an injury and/or heart attack mandates the need for a written rescue plan.

2019-11-26
MCMag
Twitter Facebook linkedin Pinterest Email Print More

Authors

Posted by : MCMag
Previous Article :

INNOVATIONS IN MARINE CONSTRUCTION

Next Article :

SHEET PILING INSTALLATION

Related Articles

BUILDING A MORE DURABLE  FENDER SYSTEM

BUILDING A MORE DURABLE FENDER SYSTEM

MCMag Aug 18 2021
McCarthy Undertaking Three Phases of Houston’s Northeast Water Purification Plant

McCarthy Undertaking Three Phases of Houston’s Northeast Water Purification Plant

MCMag Nov 21 2021
Fort Lauderdale Pier Sixty-Six reconfigures with SF Marina

Fort Lauderdale Pier Sixty-Six reconfigures with SF Marina

MCMag Oct 10 2022

Advertisement

Current Issue

Current Issue of Marine Construction Magazine Volume I 2023

Previous Issue

Previous Issue of Marine Construction Magazine Volume I 2023
Marine Construction Magazine Logo Marine Construction® Magazine publishes Six (6) Issues per year, once every 2-Months. We are by no means your typical publication. With over 30,000 readers, we pride ourselves on covering the topics of “actual usefulness” to our readers. Yes, we are a little unorthodox but…we like it like that. The bottom line is, if you are in the Marine Construction or related industry…you’ve come to the right place.

Random Posts

  • PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT FOR WORKING OVER WATER

    PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT FOR WORKING OVER WATER

    MCMag Jul 15 2020
  • HAND TOOL SAFETY

    HAND TOOL SAFETY

    MCMag Oct 01 2019
  • Composite Fendering Piles Fit The Bill

    Composite Fendering Piles Fit The Bill

    MCMag Nov 24 2020

Follow us

Sign up for our eNewsletter

eNewsletter Signup Form
© Copyright 2022, MarineConstruction®Magazine. All Rights Reserved