MCL
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In the high-stakes world of industrial work, telecommunications, and construction, gravity is constant. Every day, safety managers and site supervisors spend countless hours discussing fall protection. We inspect harnesses, lanyards, and verify the anchorage points all to ensure they catch us if we slip. But there is often a gap in standard planning: What happens after the fall?
At MCL Height Safety, we know that simply owning the gear isn’t enough. Our High Angle Rescue and Rescue After a Fall courses are designed to bridge the gap between an arrested fall and a safe, efficient return to the ground. However, to truly understand the value of these training courses, we must look beyond the classroom and into a real-world scenario where the minutes all matter.
The Scenario: 10:00 AM on Tuesday
It’s a regular Tuesday. The weather is clear, and a maintenance crew is performing a structural inspection on a large grain silo at a height of 90 feet. The crew is diligent. Their hazard assessments are signed, their harnesses are fitted correctly, and they are tied off 100% of the time. Unfortunately, even with all these precautions one of the technicians slips.
They fall four feet before the energy-absorbing lanyard deploys and the fall is ultimately arrested. The casualty remains conscious; however, they remain suspended and unable to reach the ladder or the platform above. Panic begins to set in.
The Reality of “Calling 911”
While calling 911 is a crucial step, relying on emergency services for rescue can be a critical error.
Consider the realistic timeline of an emergency response:
- 0-2 Minutes: The crew realizes the casualty can’t self-rescue. They call 911.
- 2-10 Minutes: The call is routed, details are taken, and the specialized fire department team is dispatched.
- 10-20 Minutes: Emergency responders arrive at the site gate.
- 20-40 Minutes: Responders must navigate the complex industrial site, haul their gear to the specific location, assess the hazards, set up their own technical rigging, and finally reach the victim.
In this scenario, the technician may experience as many as 30 to 45 minutes in suspension. If the site is remote or difficult to access, that time can increase.
Suspension Trauma
Why does the rescue timeline matter so much?
When a person is suspended in a fall arrest harness their ability to move their limbs can be severely limited. Their breathing may be restricted as the head slumps unconsciously forward. Gravity immediately begins to cause the blood to collect in the lower extremities. These conditions can be further complicated by certain harness types compressing femoral veins, preventing blood from returning from the extremities to the heart. Less blood through the heart circulates less oxygen to the brain which will ultimately lead to unconsciousness.
The detrimental effects and the potential long-term repercussions of suspension trauma begin the moment the fall is arrested.
Technicians in suspension need their team immediately.
Training in Action
Let’s review the same scenario as above only this time the casualty’s team has completed high angle rescue training or rescue after a fall training with MCL Height Safety.
Instead of panic, the team can affect a timely and potentially lifesaving height rescue while emergency services are still on route to the site.
- Initial Assessment: The primary hazard (gravity) is managed, the fall has been arrested. The secondary hazard (suspension intolerance) is escalating.
- The Plan: While emergency services are on route to the scene the team opts for a “Pick and Lower” type rescue. This is a specific technique for removing a suspended casualty from a fall arrest system onto a lowering system that can the be used to transport them safely to a safe zone so first aid can be administered. Something they practiced repeatedly during their high angle rescue training or rescue after a fall training at MCL Height Safety.
Rescue: The Systems (Mechanical Advantage)
The team, with access to height rescue equipment, begins to take action. The height Rescuing technician ensures their own safety by utilizing their work positioning device and fall arrest equipment to ensure their own stability on the platform above our suspended technician. Reaching below the platform a rope grab (or similar device) is attached to the casualty’s deployed fall arrest lanyard. Now the rescuing technician can utilize their high angle rescue training or rescue after a fall training from MCL Height Safety to create a simple hauling and lowering system with simply a rope, descent device, pully and rope grab. Or, better yet the height rescuing technician can attach a pre-packaged height rescue kit to the rope grab. The rescuer can now raise the casualty a few inches, disconnect them from their fall arrest system, and lower the casualty to the ground where first aid can begin after only a few minutes of suspension.
Why Learn in the MCL High Angle Rescue Course
At MCL Height Safety, our instructors are experienced height rescue technicians and our curriculum is built to help candidates go from basic fall protection knowledge to advanced work at height rescue and evacuation techniques.
Why it matters: Panic is contagious. Competence is calming.
- During an incident the situation may rapidly change and, after any incident, the chance of compounding complications arise. The theoretical and the practical experience you will receive at MCL Height Safety will take the guess work out of assessing the situation and the height rescue techniques required to ensure everyone gets down safely.
- Why MCL Height Safety?
- Expert Instructors: Our trainers are not just classroom teachers; they have backgrounds in industrial rope access, emergency response, and technical height rescue. They have “been there, done that.”The Facility: We provide realistic structures that mimic towers, rooftops, and confined spaces, allowing for relevant practice scenarios.Equipment Familiarity: We’ll train you in your company’s rescue policies with the gear you use in the field. When you leave with your rope rescue certification, you leave with confidence in both your equipment and your abilities.
- Command and Control: At MCL Height Safety, we recognize the necessity of having students take control of and manage height rescue practices through simulated but relevant scenarios under the guidance of an experienced practitioner.
Technical Training is a Legal and Moral Obligation
Regulations generally state that the employer must provide for the prompt rescue of an employee. Calling “911” is rarely sufficient to meet these requirements. By investing in High Angle Rescue/Rescue after a fall training, you are:
- Ensuring Compliance: Meeting the strictest interpretations of OHS legislation regarding work at height with rescue and evacuation procedures.
- Reducing Liability: Demonstrating due diligence in worker safety.
- Building Culture: Showing your workforce that you value their lives enough to invest in the skills to keep them safer.
Conclusion: Don’t Wait for the Accident
Working at height entails a certain level of risk.
The High Angle Rescue Course/Rescue after a fall course, empowers your team to be their own first responders. Don’t wait until you or a coworker has had an incident before you realize you don’t know how to get them down. Ensure your team is prepared for height rescues before they leave the ground.
Ready to elevate your safety standards? Visit the High Angle Rescue Course page today to view upcoming dates and secure your spot in our next session.