Zero Gravity safety Ltd, welcomed the “Industrial Managers Resilience Forum” to our facility last week. We had the privilege of hosting an in depth working at height and confined space seminar for the group who wanted to learn some new skills which would be adaptable to their own workplace.
Exhibiting their bespoke skills and vast knowledge, Managing Director Ben Swain, and Sales Manager Mike Horrocks, demonstrated a variety of different techniques in which a person can be rescued from height or a confined space and discussed applying the A,B,C,D,E approach to safely delivering methods of rescue.
These skills would be required where the risk of accidents or death are of a higher percentage, due to the nature of the work being undertaken. A critical management step for planning is adopting the WAH Hierarchy for example, where the task makes it impossible to avoid entry to a confined space or work at height.
Group Facilitator Dave Dowling said “All attendees were very impressed with the level of knowledge, passion, and style of delivery – a very professional organisation. I have no doubt you make a significant contribution to the safety of people working in high hazard work environments.”
Rescue has advanced across the years making it increasingly more affordable and minimizing the risk to others when carrying out the task. Required by Law, training, equipment and plans for rescue and evacuation are essential.
Originally, abseil cut rescues were the dominant method due to the speed in which they could be carried out, however it came with disadvantages. As there is often only a single connection point, any mistake will be catastrophic. For example, cutting the wrong line.
Reducing the risk of operator error is the Abseil pick off rescue. Requiring more equipment and time, a pick off rescue system uses a short locking pulley system called a Jigger to lift the casualty from their PFPE, allowing a disconnection to be made without the need for cutting. This gives the rescuer a mechanical advantage when lifting the casualty.
The most recent method of rescue allows the rescuer to remain inside a protected area by using a remote reach device and attaching a remote reach pole to the casualty’s harness. Depending on the choice of equipment, recovery upwards or downwards is possible and the method requires training to guarantee the equipment is used correctly and the knowledge of the user is up to date. Compatibility of your rescue equipment and PPE is an essential part of your rescue plan.
All being said, the most important piece of information we can give you is to maintain a proper record of your staff’s health and wellbeing. The risk of rescue will greatly decrease if everyone working at height or in confined space has a clean bill of health.
Zero Gravity Safety offer over 60 years of combined experience in Health and Safety offering, training, Servicing, equipment and much more. We pride ourselves in sourcing the most suitable solutions for health and safety requirements.
If you would like to know more about what we offer or you are interested in attending a symposium about particular skills, please get in touch with Training@zerogravitysafety.co.uk
