Hazard Work at height environment - Developed and maintained by the NFCC - National Operational Guidance

Hazard
Work at height environment

   Developed and maintained by the NFCC

Contents
Hazard - Work at height environment .................................................................................................. 3
     Control measure - Situational awareness: Work at height ............................................................ 3
     Control measure - Establish appropriate cordon controls: Work at height ............................... 4
     Control measure - Consider requesting specialist resources: Work at height ........................... 5

This content is only valid at the time of download - 22-02-2021 17:31                                                            2 of 6

Hazard - Work at height environment

Hazard Knowledge

A fire and rescue service may be required to attend and respond to a wide range of incidents at
height involving a variety of environments, such as:

      Above and below ground
      The built environment, including buildings, buildings under construction and open structures
      Natural environments such as steep ground, rock faces, excavations or sink holes

Working at height can be complex and will require risk assessment, planning (which must include
provision for emergency and rescue), provision of appropriate training and equipment and
adequate supervision. Fire and rescue personnel must understand the significant hazards and risks
associated with the physical environment when working at height, which may include:

      Environmental conditions
      Falling objects
      Fragile surfaces
      Equipment
      Foreseeable injuries and illness sustained when working at height
      Suspension intolerance (see HSE Evidence-based review of the current guidance on first aid
      measures for suspension trauma)
      Emergencies and rescue provision

            Control measure - Situational awareness: Work
            at height

Control measure knowledge

Situational awareness is a person's perception and understanding of the situation they face. It
includes their anticipation of what the situation might become, including the impact of their
actions. For an incident commander, it is their perspective on the scene of operations. For further
information on situational awareness see National Operational Guidance: Incident command.

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At incidents that involve working at height there may be instances where the incident commander
cannot observe all areas of the incident and may not initially have enough information to maintain
situational awareness. It is essential for the incident commander to gather this information, so they
can understand and interpret the situation and anticipate what is likely to happen next.

Various sources of information may be available:

      On-site personnel
      Tactical advisers
      Reconnaissance crews at the scene of operations
      Reconnaissance crews remote from the scene of operations, such as adjacent
      buildings/structures
      Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs/drones)

See National Operational Guidance: Incident command - Command skills.

Strategic actions

Tactical actions

Incident commanders should:

      Monitor personnel for signs of stress, anxiety, vertigo or dizziness while working at height

            Control measure - Establish appropriate cordon
            controls: Work at height

Control measure knowledge

An inner cordon will be established to control the immediate scene of operations. The cordon must
take into account the specific factors associated with working at height, such as:

      Almost any object falling from height may cause injury. Personal protective equipment (PPE)
      should be worn inside the cordon but may not be enough to protect personnel from injury.
      The wind can have a dramatic effect on how far objects travel: for example, a karabiner with a
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sling attached will travel a considerable distance because the sling acts like a sail in the wind.
      Even with no wind, some objects will naturally plane away from a structure.
      The height at which work is taking place can have an impact on how dropped objects behave,
      particularly if the wind is involved and if objects strike the structure on the way down, causing
      them to bounce outwards.
      There is a risk that equipment may be tampered with, for example, anchors could be
      vulnerable if set up and then left unattended.

A range of issues must therefore be taken into account when deciding on an appropriate cordon.
The unique situation and circumstances of each incident will inform the incident commander's
judgment about the size of a cordon and whether the minimum cordons recommended should be
increased.

The location and environmental conditions such as wind at the incident will need to be considered
when establishing an effective cordon around a work at height incident, as these factors could
affect the movement of an unsecured item falling from height. The type and shape of structure can
also have an effect on the way that items may fall, for example very tall buildings can create specific
wind conditions that can make items move laterally further than may be expected.

See National Operational Guidance: Incident command.

Strategic actions

Tactical actions

Incident commanders should:

      Establish and control inner and outer cordons, taking into account items falling from height
      and wind conditions
      Secure any unattended fall prevention systems to ensure they cannot be interfered with

             Control measure - Consider requesting specialist
             resources: Work at height

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Control measure knowledge

Some incidents that involve risks associated with falling from height may require actions that are
beyond the capabilities of the initial response. In these circumstances incident commanders should
be aware of the restrictions that available equipment and training place on their ability to take
offensive action. In such circumstances technical rescue teams should be requested to attend the
incident.

Strategic actions

Fire and rescue services should:

      Have arrangements for mobilising technical rescue teams to incidents involving risks of falling
      from height

Tactical actions

Incident commanders should:

      Request technical rescue teams to attend incidents involving confined space or work at height

This content is only valid at the time of download - 22-02-2021 17:31                               6 of 6