During the planning stage of every industrial rope access contract, the supervising L3 technician and other managerial personnel are responsible for considering all potential scenarios which could result in a rescue, and detailing all those potential rescue operations as part of an easily accessible and site specific safety method statement.
There are two broadly divided types of rescue systems they may choose from (although some rescue plans may require a combination of both systems):
The only intervention rescue L1 Techs are responsible for completing is an intervention rescue from descent mode.
IRATA recommends that a rig-for-rescue system be considered as your first option, whenever possible.
Why? Because a rig-for-rescue system is, in most scenarios, the faster and safer option. Faster, since a certified tech can manage the rescue straight from the anchor system. All levels are certified to operate a lowering system, which means the closest tech to the casualty can easily begin the rescue. Safer, because the rescuing tech remains on the ground or platform during the full operation. That means your team doesn’t need to consider the risk of a two-person load, which could cause additional stress on the rope system. All of your attention can be placed on descending or hauling the casualty to safety, and no one else’s safety needs to be compromised in the process. In the end, it’s safer for everyone. So use it if you can.
In a rig-for-rescue system, you may lower, haul or cross haul your casualty to safety.
If the working anchors are easily accessible and a clear descent to the ground is possible, then you may be able to rig the ropes as a releasable lowering system.
During your IRATA Assessment, all levels will be asked to demonstrate awareness of the principles and operations of a rig-for-rescue system, and the benefits of this style of rescue. As a Level 1, you will also be asked to demonstrate an unimpeded lowering of a casualty to safety using a simple pre-rigged system.
L2 and L3 certifying techs will be asked to demonstrate competence rigging that lowering system themselves.
Your IRATA assessor will be specifically watching that you:
For L2 and L3 techs, the IRATA assessor will also be watching to make sure that the lowering system functions as intended, and that it would remain secure when not in use.
An “uncontrolled descent during rescue” is a major discrepancy and an immediate fail. If critical, poor management of the back device or excess slack in the safety line would also be consider a major discrepancy. Otherwise, they would each be considered a minor discrepancy, along with tangles in the ropes. It is up to your assessor’s discretion what they consider to be critical.
We did a blog post on the 6 of the most common discrepancies we see on assessment day. You may find this resource helpful. Find it here.
As with any rescue, casualty care and the possibility of suspension intolerance should be taken into account. In order to avoid accidental movement with a rig-for-rescue system, you may also need to put some additional precautions in place. We’ll go over this during your training week.
TACS 6.5.2 for the source material for this blog.
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This is part of an ongoing series, where we’re breaking down IRATA’s syllabus and clarifying exactly what ‘demonstrating competence’ and ‘demonstrating awareness’ means, and what will be expected of you on assessment day. To access the IRATA study guides, click below: