4.5 After a fall has been arrested

When a fall arrest system has stopped a fall, the immediate fall has been arrested – but the incident is not over.

The person may still:

• be suspended in the harness,
• be injured,
• be located in a difficult-to-access position,
• be unable to reach a safe place without assistance.

Suspension may create additional risk

Remaining motionless while suspended in a harness may create serious medical risks.

There is no general safe time limit that can be used to determine how long a person can remain suspended without risk.

Rescue must therefore be capable of being carried out without unnecessary delay.

An arrested fall requires further action

After an actual fall, any equipment that has been loaded must also be handled in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

This may mean that the equipment:

• is taken out of service,
• requires a specific inspection,
• is sent to the manufacturer or another authorised party for assessment,
• is discarded.

Rescue after the fall is covered in Chapter 5, and handling of equipment after an incident is covered in Chapter 6.

Remember

Arresting the fall is the beginning of the rescue – not the end of the incident.