Undertake Vertical Rescue Manual 7AUG17

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................................................ 5

About this resource........................................................................................................................................................................ 5

Duty of care ................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Legislation...................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Australian Standards ..................................................................................................................................................................... 5

HAZARDS AND RISKS...................................................................................................................................................................... 6

1. Poor air quality ............................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Irrespirable atmospheres ............................................................................................................................................................... 6

Contaminants................................................................................................................................................................................. 7

Flammable and combustible substances....................................................................................................................................... 8

2. Task-related hazards ..................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Plant and mechanical equipment................................................................................................................................................... 9

Electrical hazards .......................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Slips, trips and falls...................................................................................................................................................................... 10

Suspension trauma...................................................................................................................................................................... 11

Noise............................................................................................................................................................................................ 11

Restricted clearances .................................................................................................................................................................. 12

Inadequate lighting and low light environments........................................................................................................................... 12

Temperature extremes ................................................................................................................................................................ 12

Physical features of the area ....................................................................................................................................................... 12

3. Environmental factors .................................................................................................................................................................. 12

Conditions of the area.................................................................................................................................................................. 12

4. Personal hazards ......................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Manual handling .......................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Biological hazards........................................................................................................................................................................ 13

Hygiene........................................................................................................................................................................................ 13

Personal capabilities and limitations............................................................................................................................................ 13

Bystanders, media and others in the area ................................................................................................................................... 14

EMERGENCY PLANS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 14

Pre-planning ................................................................................................................................................................................ 14

Written procedures for rescue ..................................................................................................................................................... 15

Interagency arrangements........................................................................................................................................................... 15

Phases of rescue ......................................................................................................................................................................... 16

THE RESCUE .................................................................................................................................................................................. 16

Phase 1 - Preparation ...................................................................................................................................................................... 16

1