Create an emergency plan that works for falls in the workplace
Working with scaffolding can be extremely risky, with a significant chance of workplace falls. When working at a height is required, it is critical to maintain sufficient safety measures and ensure that emergency protocols are in place in the event of an occurrence. The most common injuries caused by falls from great heights include head injuries, impalement, obstructed airways, and fractures. Strategies for treating these injuries in an emergency circumstance must be in place, and that staff on-site has received adequate first aid training.
As a result, industries prepare to establish an emergency plan and safety measures if an unpleasant occurrence occurs during scaffolding operations. Section 21 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 2004 requires all employers to create and maintain a healthy and safe working environment free of health hazards. It is your obligation to make sure that there is a rescue plan in place. When utilizing fall arrest devices, you (as an employer or building owner) are required by law to have a rescue plan in place to ensure that if a worker falls from Single width Aluminum Scaffolding in Bahrain , retrieves as soon as feasible.
It is not the responsibility of the emergency services to rescue a fallen worker. However, you must still notify the emergency services as soon as someone falls; they will be able to provide first aid assistance. Regulations provide precise instructions for working at heights safety requirements, as well as guidelines for suitable emergency actions in the event of an incident. All safety precautions and equipment must be inspected regularly to verify that there are no flaws. Risk reduction audits should be performed- to ensure that the highest degree of site safety is maintained and that all staff has received sufficient emergency training.
Procedures and Plans for Emergencies:
When scaffolding work is being done on your building site, there must be documented emergency plans and procedures for falls. It is also critical that the protocols are known and understood by all levels of staff and prospective emergency personnel. In every worksite, detailed steps provide for all workers to follow, and they must be included in the overall safety plan. To provide proper preparedness, emergency plans and procedures must take into account many scenarios that are likely to occur. Using information acquired during site safety audits will assist in ensuring that the processes are adequate.
These procedures should account for various scenarios and associated threats. It will guarantee that the emergency measures for falls are adequate in the event of a true emergency. The following factors must be addressed while developing workplace emergency procedures for falls:
First, perform a risk assessment
Before doing any type of work at height, you must first analyze the risk. Surveyors should perform this before the start of the job. If the existing rescue procedures are deemed insufficiently safe, work should be halted until a safe remedy is identified. Work with a fall protection specialist to develop a detailed rescue plan.
Walk around the premises, consider potential hazards, a person can be hurt, and how you might reduce the repercussions and risks. The ease of entry to the workplace will be critical to the effectiveness of your emergency measures. Emergency services and emergency vehicles must enter and exit the job site without difficulty to make timely rescues. During your planning, make sure to construct the quickest route for rescuers and remove any impediments such as machines and equipment.
Rescue and first-aid gear:
Rescue and emergency equipment suitable for operating at heights must be readily available and easily accessible. These include first-aid supplies, ropes, ladders, wheelchairs, and stretchers, which must be well labeled and stored close by for easy access. Trained employees must also be on-site during working hours. Everyone accessing the job site should wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and protective gear.
Medical assistance:
You must examine what type of medical support is needed on the scene and what type of assistance may be required following the occurrence. Under no circumstances, however, should the injured person continue his employment on the same day.
Rapid Reaction:
To avoid the risk of life-threatening suspension trauma, a swift and safe rescue plan must be carried out in less than 10 minutes by trained and experienced personnel. There are, however, measures to avoid suspension stress in the case of a fall while working with scaffolding. These include implementing a buddy system and ensuring that the harness deployed allows workers to place themselves horizontally. If a harness suspension occurs after a fall, height workers must remain cool and take deep breaths frequently. They should keep their legs moving as much as possible and position them horizontally to allow blood flow from their legs. As a supervisor, ensure that all scaffolding workers are aware of these procedures to avoid worst-case scenarios.