7
emergency plan must consider the rescue measures for all possible cases of emergency during work! This means that a hazard
analysis for the particular intended use of a PPE against falls from a height and consequently a rescue plan, which describes the
fastest possible rescue action and includes all necessary equipment and procedures for rescue, must always be drawn up.
All
evaluated equipment for an eventual rescue must always be arranged and ready for immediate use. Otherwise a suspension
trauma may result!
The medical description of the consequences of a suspension trauma explains:
•
after approx. 2 - 5 min. the casualty becomes incapable of taking action
•
after 10 - 20 min. only irreversible physical injury is possible and
•
subsequently life-threatening conditions are to be expected.
For this reason
rescue measures must be carried out immediately!
If the person to be rescued is conscious, it is important that he/she moves his/her legs. If possible lift the body with the help of suitable
equipment (e.g.: tape slings, lanyards, suspension trauma relief loops, etc.) from the tensioned full body harness in order to relieve
the pressure of the leg loops to the inner thighs. This can reduce or avoid the pooling of blood in the legs and facilitate its backflow.
Note on anchor devices!
•
Generally an anchor device from which the equipment is fixed to, should, when possible, be “vertically” above the user (in order
to prevent swinging in case of a fall from a height).
•
The position of the anchor point should always be chosen in a way that the fall distance is limited to a minimum.
•
Take care that the fall zone is calculated so that the user does not fall onto an obstacle in case of a fall from a height and that
impact on the ground is avoided.
•
Please take special care that no sharp edges endanger the anchor device (e.g. textile tape slings) as well as the safe locking of
all connectors (e.g. karabiners).
•
The load-bearing capacity of the building/ground must be ensured for the force indicated for the anchor device.
•
Temporary anchor possibilities (wooden beams, steel girders etc.) must be able to absorb the fall shock. (For the standard strength
of anchor points refer to EN795 (= at least 12kN/person)
•
If possible, use a standardised and correspondingly labelled anchor point according to EN795. Anchor devices, which are firmly
connected to a building structure, must comply with EN 795.
2 Regulations for the owner of the equipment
Before each use, a visual inspection and a functional test of this PFPE have to be carried out in order to guarantee that it is in working
order. A product which no longer seems safe, must NOT BE USED in case of doubt and must be discarded immediately. Always
inspect the total PFPE.
A.HABERKORN
safety products must be inspected on the following points before each use:
•
Damage to and discoloration of supporting parts, which are essential for safety
(tears, cuts, rubbing etc. …)
distortion of
metal parts
(e.g. buckles, karabiners, rings etc.)
•
Fall indicators
(intact, undamaged)
•
Cuts/tears
(fraying, loose threads, plastic parts, etc.)
•
Irreversible heavy soiling
(e.g. fat, oil, bitumen, etc.)
•
High thermal stress, contact or frictional heat
(e.g. traces of melting, sticky threads/fibres)
•
Functional test of lockings
(e.g. insertion buckles, karabiner locks, etc.)
•
Damaged rope sheath
(rope core visible)
•
Severe axial and/or radial distortion and deformation of
a kernmantle rope
(e.g. stiffening, kinks, noticeable “sponginess”)
•
Extreme rope sheath displacement
•
Extreme material wear
(rubbing, fuzziness, rough areas, chafe marks, etc.)
•
All sewing (seam patterns)
The seam patterns must not show any signs of wear and tear (rubbing/fuzziness). The product must be immediately discarded,
when the seam pattern shows discoloration and/or only partial discoloration (sewing thread, sewing cotton).
•
Chemical contamination
Any contact with chemical substances, especially with acids, must be absolutely avoided. Damage resulting from chemical
exposure may not always be visible. Textile products must be immediately
discarded
after contact with acids.
•
All product labels must be in place and completely legible.
In case of uncertainties please contact your sales partner or the manufacturer
This safety product must be
protected
from:
•
mechanic damages (rubbing, crushing, cuts, sharp edges, overload etc….)
•
thermal stress (direct exposure to flames, flying sparks, all kinds of heat sources, etc….)
•
chemical contamination (acids, bases, solid and liquid substances, gases, fog, vapour etc….)
•
and any imaginable influences, which could lead to damage
when used
.
Sharp edges:
Sharp edges represent a particular danger and can damage textile products so severely that they can tear. Always take care of
perfect edge protection in order to avoid damage.
2.1 Periodic inspections
A visual inspection and functional test of the PFPE must be carried out
at least once a year
(the frequency of such an inspection
depends on the type and intensity of use) by a COMPETENT PERSON
(see item 2.4)
. This inspection must include the determination
of wear and tear.
Enter the following data into the test sheet to document the regular inspection:
•
The result of this inspection
•
the type
•
the model
•
the serial number and/or INVENTORY number
•
the date of purchase/production
•
the date of the first use
•
the next inspection
