When working at heights, ensuring employees safety is paramount. Despite preventive measures and safety regulations, accidents can and do occur, which begs into question the use of appropriate fall protection equipment and training of its users.
It is essential to explore heights rescue statistics that occurred in Alberta and British Columbia (B.C.) to highlight the importance of rescue equipment in mitigating risks and facilitating timely interventions in an effort to prevent rescue situations.
Heights Rescue Statistics
Alberta and B.C. rescue services responded to numerous incidents involving working at heights. Below are some of the key height rescue statistics in Alberta and B.C. and how these numbers could be reduced using the appropriate work at heights fall protection equipment.
There were More than 4000 Serious Incidents
According to official records, rescue services responded to approximately4000 serious incidents related to falls or accidents from working at heights in B.C. alone.
These numbers could be significantly lowered if workers used and appropriately used personal protective equipment like harnesses, lanyards, lifelines, and other fall protection devices. These harnesses and appropriate lanyards and lifelines form the backbone of personal fall protection systems. They ensure workers are securely attached to anchorage points and can be rescued safely during a fall.
More than 495 Incidents Occurred in Construction
The incidents occurred across various sectors, including construction, maintenance, industrial operations, and telecommunications. More than 495 of these fall accidents occurred in the construction industry, however we recognize that each sector poses unique challenges, demands, and tailored rescue solutions are required.
Tailored rescue solutions address the unique risks and challenges of different work carried out at elevated sites. By conducting risk assessments, developing customized fall protection plans, selecting appropriate protection equipment, providing training, and ensuring regulatory compliance, organizations can enhance workplace safety, reduce fall accidents, and protect the well-being of their employees while mitigating overall risk to the their organization.
More than 21% of Incidents Were Caused by Falls
More than 21% of all construction site-related injuries were caused by falls. The rescue incidents involved scenarios such as falls from scaffolding, elevated platforms, and rooftops. Inadequate safety measures, equipment failure, and human error were reported to be the common contributing factors.
Rope rescue protection equipment, including ropes, pulleys, descenders, and ascenders, enable rescuers to access and evacuate individuals from high or confined spaces. This equipment requires user training in order to be used effectively.
The Importance of Height Rescue Plans
Height rescue plans are crucial in ensuring the safety of workers involved in work at heights in Alberta and B.C. Here are some key reasons as to why having a rescue plan is important:- Worker Safety: The primary importance of height rescue plans is enabling work at heights safety. Working at heights carries inherent risks, and while most organizations work to implement the appropriate preventative measures through engineered systems and personal protective equipment, on site accidents can still happen despite these preventive measures.
- Preparedness for Emergencies: Accidents can occur unexpectedly, and a height rescue plan ensures that organizations are prepared to respond promptly and effectively in case of an emergency. Having a plan in place helps minimize response time, reduce confusion, and increases the chances of successful rescue in a timely manner, which is critical to the worker who has fallen.
- Minimizing Injury Severity: Height rescue plans focus on rescue operations and minimizing the severity of injuries. By having well-designed procedures in place, workers can receive timely medical attention and be safely evacuated from elevated locations, reducing the potential for further harm.
Get Professional Help in Creating a Height Rescue Plan
The height rescue statistics in Alberta and B.C. underscore the importance of robust safety measures and appropriate rescue protection equipment. Organizations must prioritize preventive measures, including comprehensive fall protection plans, regular equipment inspections, and training programs to minimize the risk of accidents. Additionally, rescue services must be well-equipped with specialized rescue equipment and appropriate training to effectively perform timely and efficient rescue operations.
If you are unsure about creating a robust and effective rescue plans for your organization, contact Height Works today. Our organization offers a range of safety equipment, rescue plans, and other services to help keep your construction site and employees safe. Contact the fall protection safety experts at Height Works today, to learn how you can help reduce your organizations work at height risks.