Retrieving an operative who has had a fall from height
Our reach and rescue kit is used for retrieving a colleague who has had a fall from height. The rescue kits contain items that have been manufactured, tested and certified in Germany to conform to the relevant European Standards. They are designed for workers using full body fall arrest harnesses in conjunction with energy absorbing lanyards, retractable devices or guided type fall arrestors. They offer a compact, fully assembled and easily transported rescue-from-height solution. The kits contain:
- controlled descent device with rescue lifting facility;
- 10mm diameter kernmantle rope with small double action hooks at each end;
- 0metre webbing anchorage sling: small steel screw-gate karabiner;
- extendable remote reach rescue pole: purpose made rescue tackle bag; and
- information / instruction card.
The devices have automatic speed regulation. The brakes are controlled by centrifugal forces, which maintain a constant descent speed. An integral crank handle can be activated to disengage the automatic lower-off, and by turning the handle the lifting facility is engaged. The casualty can then be lifted up to the original work platform or, once the casualty has been raised sufficiently, to release the used fall arrest device; the automatic function can be re-engaged to allow the casualty lower-off.
By using the lifting and releasing rescue action, the rescue kits are “no cut” rescue systems. These rescue kits can be used where the casualty can be reached by the rescue personnel and also when the casualty is hanging in free space below the rescue platform. The remote reach rescue pole extends and the bracket holds the small double action hook on the end of the rope in the gate open position. Once the hook locates in the casualty’s harness, the pole is removed and the safety gate closes. These low maintenance devices have a hard wearing, shock proof aluminium housing; heavy duty plastic crank wheel and handle; and are extremely light-weight, especially taking into account the lower-off distance which can be achieved.