Question 1

A height work permit for funnel maintenance is submitted for approval. It lists harness, lanyard, and anchor details thoroughly, but the rescue plan section simply states "call for help if needed".

Should this permit be approved as written?

Accepted Answer

No - the permit should be rejected until a specific rescue plan is provided: method (self/assisted/fully assisted), equipment, location of that equipment, and a named/trained rescue team "Call for help if needed" is not a rescue plan - it doesn't identify who responds, with what equipment, from where, or how fast. No permit for height work should be issued without a specific, actionable rescue plan.

Question 2

What are the three broad categories a height-work rescue plan should cover, in increasing order of how much external help is needed?

Accepted Answer

Self-rescue, assisted (mechanically aided) rescue, and fully assisted rescue Self-rescue relies on the worker's own capability (e.g. a descent device); assisted/mechanically aided rescue uses a rope/haul system operated by colleagues; fully assisted rescue is needed when the casualty cannot participate at all.

Question 3

Why is using fall-arrest equipment WITHOUT a corresponding rescue capability considered unacceptable, even if the equipment itself functions correctly?

Accepted Answer

Because surviving the initial fall means nothing if the worker then dies of suspension trauma while waiting for help that was never planned A harness that arrests a fall but has no rescue plan behind it converts an immediate fall risk into a slower, equally fatal suspension trauma risk. Rescue planning is what makes fall-arrest equipment a complete safety system.