Pat Rhodes

Managing Industrial Rescue Pat Rhodes

Performing a safe and expedient rescue is one of the most misunderstood concepts in our modern industrial society. Workers simply don't know what they don't know in an unplanned attempt of moving an incapacitated human in a challenging environment. Confined space statistics bear this out. Year after year approximately 60% of confined space fatalities are to would-be rescuers. Specifically, coworkers are attempting rescues with little or no training. They are relying on their hyper-adrenalin state of panic and their ill-fated perception of human strength. The preferred alternative is to develop a rescue program that is based on employee capabilities, and the environmental factors of the workplace and at the same time, develop a working relationship with the local fire/rescue component. Conversely, over reliance of the fire service to save the day plays into this rescue misunderstanding. The fire service will provide substantial emergency medical support and, at times, technical rescue help. Ultimately, the fire service is extremely reliant on the subject matter expertise within the worksite. When the subject matter experts are trained in worksite specific rescue and concise rescue plan development the outcome is greatly enhanced. The purpose of this guide it to arm the employer with the tools that will help determine the level of training and equipment needed at specific worksites. Additionally, the development of rescue plans is addressed in the guide.