It is very important that sufficient rescue systems (and training) are provided if you employ working at height. For example, if you are performing maintenance work on air conditioners (on roofs), you may need to be close to the eaves. The chance of a fall is then greater.
Assuming the anti-fall systems have been very well planned and installed by experts, we do not always consider the question of what happens after a fall? But if a fall does occur, what then? How much time do you have for a rescue operation, and how do you free the person if they are stuck? Can the person be easily escorted to the ground floor, or are there obstacles that make this kind of rescue operation impossible? How do you get to the person to administer first aid if necessary?
Act quickly
One thing is certain, the sooner you provide help, the more likely you are to minimise the consequences. The victim may suffer trauma, leading to serious injury or even death in some cases. If the victim is conscious, they will experience a lot of stress because of the helplessness and dependence. After hanging in a harness for 10-15 minutes, bottlenecks can cause excruciating pain and the victim is likely to lose consciousness. Take all of this into account when you start a rescue plan.
One possibility in your plan is to work from above. You could try to lift the person up. But lifting or pulling a person hanging lifeless in their safety equipment is almost impossible. A better option is to try to let the person descend at a slow speed. Provided there are no obstacles, of course. We recommend that a rescue kit to perform this operation is always easily to hand. This could include a cherry picker, for example.
Trauma Loops
To give the victim more time and to protect them from the intense pain and possible loss of consciousness, it is advisable to use so-called Trauma Loops. These loops are attached to the harness and can be activated in an emergency. The fallen person can stand in the loops and relieve pressure on the legs.
Whatever you decide to do, it doesn't really matter how you intend to to rescue someone, as long as there is a rescue plan in place!
And after the plan, the training begins.