Tips to Remember If A Fall From Platform Occurs

Like putting on a seatbelt, many lineworkers habitually connect their fall arrest harness to a lanyard attachment point when getting into a bucket. However, it can be easy to overlook both important safety steps. Fall arrest is required whenever a person is in an aerial or digger derrick platform. As some might believe, the issue is not always falling from the platform but being ejected. A lineworker can be ejected by failure of a component causing unexpected motion, sudden release of energy from catching or snagging and releasing, or an external force on the vehicle, boom, boom tip, or occupants of the platform.

When a Fall Occurs

ANSI and OSHA state that no more than six minutes should pass from the time a worker falls to when he is reached. These time limits are to mitigate the risks of unconsciousness or further injury of the suspended worker.

Line crews should practice the rescue plan with all workers including the ground persons, who may be the only ones available to perform the rescue. Train all employees to follow your rescue plan to recover the fallen person as quickly as safely possible without endangering the rescue personnel.

Next, determine whether first aid is required as quickly as possible. If the worker needs to be transported to the hospital (according to the utility company’s policy), notify emergency services.

If a lineworker is suspended in a safety harness, one danger is suspension trauma or orthostatic intolerance. Immobile workers suspended in their harness may lead to fainting or an unconscious state. Depending on the length of time, anywhere from a few minutes to about 20 minutes, the suspended worker may become unconscious, depending on the level of venous pooling.  Because the person will have limited ability to move their legs, blood will pool and not be available for circulation to the other parts of the body and brain. Communicate with the fallen worker and encourage them to move their arms and legs to promote blood circulation to the extremities.

If the worker has signs of physical injury, or signs of suspension trauma such as dizziness, fainting, nausea, sweating, paleness, hot flashes, increased heart rate, breathlessness, unusually low heart rate, unusually low blood pressure, or loss of vision contact emergency medical services immediately. A dangerous condition that sometimes occurs with suspension trauma is compartment syndrome. A condition known at Reflow Syndrome can also occur. The return of pooled, hypoxic blood and its metabolic byproducts from the extremities to the heart can cause medical issues even after rescue. Watch the fallen person carefully after rescue.

For more information, refer to your safety department, rescue plan, or local health providers.