1 Practical Operational Considerations Jez Hunter MIOSH IRATA L3

2 Fire-fighters at Height Roof top fire-fighting Large vehicle extrication Suicide intervention Crag, cliff, crane and building rescue HP/ALP operation Animal rescue Non-operational tasks – engineering tasks

3 Sources of Training Best Practice Industry best practice –IRATA –PASMA –Aboriculture Association British Standards –BS7985:2002 – Code of practice for the use of rope access methods for industrial purposes –BS 8437:2005 Code of practice for selection, use and maintenance of personal fall protection systems and equipment for use in the workplace Fire Service Manual Volume 4 – Guidance, compliance and Training Framework for Rope Working Fire Service Manual Volume 2 – Rope working CFOA WAHR 2005 Guidance for the Fire and Rescue Service

4 Competence Combination of practical and theoretical knowledge, experience, skill and judgement Test of competence… –Able to assess the risks effectively –Able to devise and implement a safe system of work –Able to identify and stop dangerous situations

5 Safety at Height Training

6 Different Ways to Skin a Cat! CCFB First Response –All personnel trained in working at height –All personnel trained to effect simple team lift and lower 2 person rescues –2 x Wholetime Specialist Rescue Team capable of heavy animal extrication, confined space and advanced rescue –Training delivered by 8 (6 wholetime) SRT instructors and audited annually by RIG Systems

7 Different Ways to Skin a Cat! DFRS call safety at height: SHACS Training divided into 2 Levels All personnel trained to Level 1 Only IRMP identified Stations trained to Level 2 Clear link to 2 Specialist Rope Rescue Teams SHACS training delivered by 15 SHACS instructors (3 of these SRT Instructors)

8 SHACS PACK

9 DFRS SHACS Level 1 Level 1 NORMAL capability: –Provide security at height (Restraint and Fall Arrest) only if a rescue can be mounted from the ground –Secure casualty until SRT or Level 2 Team arrive –Provide a simple rescue in conjunction with a 135 Ladder (replacing lowering using line underfoot drill)?? Level 1 Packs EXCEPTIONAL capability: –Lower a suspended rescuer to the ground

10 First Response Level 2 Level 2 capability carried on IRMP identified stations Level 2 Packs NORMAL capability: –Facilitate rescuer access into and egress from Confined Spaces –Lower a rescuer to a stricken casualty to render first aid and stabilise until SRT arrival Level 2 packs EXCEPTIONAL capability –Undertake a lower rescue with Attendant and casualty

11 Strategic Synergy 1.L LocateLevel 1 2.AAccessSimple – Level 1 Complex – Level 2 3.SStabiliseSimple – Level 2 Complex – SRT 4.T Transport SRT

12 Specialist Rescue Teams Levels of competence –Technician – 4 days training –Supervisor – 5 days further training –Instructor – 5 days further training SRTs augmented capability –Move 2 person loads –Mount an individual-based rescue –Advanced casualty packaging

13 Reg 6 – Hierarchy of Controls Avoid –Hose mounted ALP –Removing access to jumpers Prevent using suitable and sufficient measures –Use an existing place – difficult when responding to spontaneous events –Use an existing means of access – this could have been structurally undermined –Select collective prevention measures over personal measures eg. guard rails in ALP as opposed to restraint lanyards Minimise –Minimise distance and consequences - Nets / Fall arrest with anchor point high –Minimise consequence - Soft Landing Systems / Fall Arrest with anchor point low / ALJs –Provide information, training or other measures to minimise effects of a fall

14 Individual Fall Prevention and Protection Systems

15 Work Restraint “A specific form of personal fall prevention system by which a person is prevented from reaching zones where a risk of a fall exists"

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17 Limitations of Restraint

18 Work positioning “A personal fall protection system that enables a user to work while supported in tension or suspension in such a way that a fall is prevented or restricted" Max fall less than 0.5m

19 Roped Access A personal fall protection system that specifically uses two “static” separately secured sub-systems – one as a means of support and the other as a safety back up. This is used to get to and from the place of work and to undertake work positioning

20 Fall Arrest “A personal fall protection system by which a fall is arrested to prevent the collision of the user with the ground or structure" Max fall less than 4m and 6kN

21 More flexible than restraint but the flight path must be clear and the rescue is problematic?

Life-lining

23 Working Safely on Roofs Avoid – do not fight fire from roof Prevent –Use ALP –Access using 135/105 ladder with restraint strap and top tie off –Secure roof ladder using tethers –Rig an anchor line if rapid manoeuvrability is required –Ensure fragile roofs are identified and avoided if possible Mitigate –Fall arrest / ALJs Information, instruction and training

24 PPE and Lifting Equipment Competent Persons PPE custodians must be competent to thoroughly examine equipment according to an inspection schedule. They should be aware of: –Legislative requirements –How and why equipment fails –How to systematically examine equipment –How to quarantine, maintain, repair and dispose –How to record findings (Schedule 7 WAHR and Reg 10 LOLER)

Individual Rescue Integrating Rescue Capabilities Swiftwater Flood Rescue Operator Swiftwater Flood Rescue Safety Officer Swiftwater Flood Rescue Awareness Swiftwater Flood Rescue Technician Swiftwater Flood Rescue Instructor Swiftwater Flood Rescue ERB Competent Crew Moving Water 3D Rescue PPE / Lifting Equip Competent Person First Response Operator First Response Awareness Height Safety Officer First Response Technician First Response Instructor Confined Space Training (USAR) Ropework Operator Ropework Technician Ropework Instructor Animal Extrication Structural Anchor Installation Technician Team Rescue

26 CPD Logbooks linked to IPDS and Electronic Database

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28 Maintaining skill currency Logbooks linked to IPDS and Electronic Database Development of Field Operations Guides Establishment of consistent currency requirements Annual refresher and revalidation training Audits, Exercises and CPD opportunities

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Recruit Initial Training Wholetime Training Retained Training Session 1 Retained Training Session 2 Retained Training Session 3 CPD 1 CPD 2 CPD 3 AUDIT Technician or Instructor CPD

STAGE 1STAGE 2 Semester 1Semester 2Semester 1Semester 2 Incident Management, Command and Control (20) CCFB Management of HAZMAT Incidents (20) CCFB Management of Vertical-related Incidents (20) Rig Systems Research Project (20) Duchy College Management of Water-related Incidents (20) Rig Systems Medical Support Planning and Management (20) WAST Professional Development (20) Duchy College Co-ordinating Search Operations (20) Devon and Cornwall Police Constabulary Management of Confined Space-related Incidents (20) Rig Systems Risk Management for Safety Critical Environments (20) Rig Systems Management of Urban Search and Rescue (20) DFRS Training Strategy Development, Implementation and Review (20) Duchy College Flood Planning and Coastal Incident Management (20) Rig Systems Industrial Placement (20) BSc Technical Rescue

32 Summary WAHR is not new, we just need to carry on applying best practice An organisation-wide solution is the most effective in order to standardise technology, methodology and competencies Techniques are constantly evolving – networks are increasingly valuable