When you wear fall protection equipment, the purpose is simple: if you fall, the system arrests your fall. However, once the fall has been arrested, you are left suspended in your harness—and suspension can only be tolerated for a limited period.
Almost immediately, you'll notice the leg straps beginning to tighten. This restricts your freedom of movement. The more you move, the more uncomfortable the harness becomes. Eventually, movement becomes increasingly difficult, and the casualty may lose consciousness.
An unconscious person suspended in a harness has only a limited amount of time before the situation becomes life-threatening. That is why it is essential to rescue anyone who has fallen from height as quickly and safely as possible.
Why is suspension so dangerous?
When someone remains suspended in a full body harness for an extended period, the harness places pressure on the legs, restricting movement. This reduced movement impairs blood circulation, while normal movement is essential for maintaining healthy blood flow.
As circulation decreases, oxygen delivery throughout the body is reduced. Over time, this can lead to suspension trauma, causing the casualty to become unwell, lose consciousness, or go into shock.
For this reason, every organisation that uses personal fall protection equipment should have a well-practised rescue plan to ensure that a suspended casualty can be recovered without delay.
Injuries and weather conditions
In addition to suspension trauma, a fall may result in fractures or other injuries. Weather conditions can also increase the risk. On cold or wet days, for example, a suspended casualty may quickly develop hypothermia.
These factors reinforce the importance of rescuing a suspended person as quickly as possible. A suitable rescue kit should always be readily available, and employees should never work alone at height while using personal fall protection equipment. If a fall occurs, someone must be able to call the emergency services immediately.
Rescue at height in four stages
If a colleague falls, the first step is always to call the emergency services. Inform them that a person is suspended in a harness and that rescue procedures have been initiated.
The rescue process can generally be divided into four stages.
Stage 1: Relieve the pressure
The first priority is to reduce the pressure exerted by the harness on the casualty's body. This is only possible if the casualty is still conscious.
There are two common methods:
Rescue loop or foot loop
Lower a support strap or rescue loop so the casualty can stand in it. This partially relieves the pressure from the leg straps. In an emergency, a lifting sling, rope loop, or any other suitably strong loop may also be used. If available, the casualty may be able to use their own work positioning lanyard for support.
Suspension trauma straps
Many harnesses are fitted with suspension trauma straps. The casualty deploys these straps and stands in them, reducing pressure on the legs. This also allows them to move their legs, helping to maintain blood circulation while awaiting rescue.
Stage 2: Connect the rescue system
This stage assumes that the rescuer can remain at the existing anchor point and does not need to descend to the casualty.
There are two common methods of connecting the rescue system:
Using a Frog connector
A Frog connector is an automatic connector that can be attached directly to the attachment rings of a harness. If the casualty is unconscious, it can be positioned using a telescopic rescue pole. If the casualty is conscious, they can assist in making the connection.
Using a carabiner
A carabiner may also be used. Again, a telescopic pole can assist if the casualty is unconscious. If the casualty remains conscious, they can help connect the rescue system themselves.
Once the casualty is securely connected to the rescue system, the telescopic pole can be removed and the casualty can be raised or lowered as required.
Stage 3: Raise or lower the casualty
Depending on the situation, the casualty can either be lowered to the ground or raised to a safe location.
Lowering the casualty
First raise the casualty slightly to release the original connecting device. Once disconnected, lower the casualty using the rescue system. The rescue kit may include either a centrifugal descent device or a manually controlled descent device.
Raising the casualty
In some situations, raising the casualty is the safer option. Keep in mind that additional assistance may be required to help move the casualty safely over the roof edge or other obstruction.
Stage 4: Back on solid ground
Once the casualty has reached the ground, do not immediately lay them flat.
Keep the upper body elevated in a semi-seated position and leave the harness in place until medical professionals advise otherwise. Reassure the casualty where possible and treat any minor injuries.
Even if there are no visible injuries, the casualty should always be assessed by emergency medical personnel.
Remove fall protection equipment from service
An important final point: any fall protection equipment involved in a fall must be removed from service immediately.
The forces generated during a fall may have permanently stretched or damaged the equipment, even if no visible defects are present. This applies not only to the harness and connecting devices, but also to the anchor point if it has been subjected to fall arrest forces.
The importance of training
Successful rescue at height depends on acting quickly, safely, and confidently.
European Directive 2001/45/EC requires employers to ensure they are adequately prepared for rescue operations. Regular rescue training is therefore essential.
Request a training course
At Mennens, we provide rescue-at-height training tailored to the actual working conditions of your organisation.
Our certified instructors help participants recognise fall hazards, assess emergency situations, and use rescue equipment safely and effectively. Training includes realistic rescue scenarios that closely reflect participants' day-to-day working environment, ensuring they are prepared to respond when it matters most.
More information
Would you like your employees to receive regular rescue-at-height training? Contact us for more information or register for a training course today.
Podcast summary: evacuation and rescue at height
More and more work in the Netherlands is being carried out at height, largely due to limited available space. Under the Working Conditions Act (Arbowet), employers have a legal responsibility to provide a safe working environment by carrying out a Risk Inventory and Evaluation (RI&E). This includes ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place for the evacuation and rescue of workers operating at height or in confined spaces, as employers are responsible for providing effective emergency response procedures.
It is important to distinguish between evacuation and rescue. Evacuation involves leaving a hazardous situation as quickly and safely as possible, whereas rescue involves recovering and assisting a casualty.
When working at height, suitable measures should be in place to allow workers to descend safely, for example by using descent devices or controlled descent systems. For confined space entry—such as tanks or silos—appropriate anchor points, tripods, and personnel winch systems are essential for safe access, egress, and rescue.
Above all, good preparation, clear procedures, and regular training are essential. Employers should ensure that workers are properly trained in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and rescue equipment, enabling them to respond safely and effectively in an emergency.
