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Rope-access technicians to assist with rescue operations

SPECIALISED RESCUE
A well-trained, forward-thinking team is critical to ensure safety

SPECIALISED RESCUE A well-trained, forward-thinking team is critical to ensure safety

14th November 2014

By: Donna Slater

Features Deputy Editor and Chief Photographer

  

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A team of rope-access technicians from rope-access company Skyriders can assist municipal, national rescue and disaster-management services with specialised rope-rescue services in emergency scenarios, such as incidents in the construction industry and the implementation of health and safety procedures for construction workers.

Skyriders marketing manager Mike Zinn tells Engineering News the company constantly undertakes realistic training and rehearsal for such scenarios. “When things go wrong – as they did during the Sol Plaatjies incident – they go wrong quickly.”

The incident occurred on November 6, 2012, when a munici- pal worker attempted to fix an overflowing sewerage pump, but succumbed to methane gas fumes in the confined space of the pump room. When four municipal workers then attempted to rescue the trapped worker, they became trapped by rising sludge from the pump, and subsequently died.

“A well-trained, forward-thinking team is critical to ensure safety. When things go wrong, you want training to kick in, not panic,” he says.

Several Skyriders personnel are trained in first aid and confined-space rescue, as well as health and safety procedures for rope- access work.

“Most of the time, the team acts as a standby rescue operator for other contractors who have to work in a confined space while carrying out painting and cleaning,” he says, adding that the team monitors gas levels and fatigue levels, and ensures the safety of all personnel in and around the confined space.

“It is a rare occurrence that rescue operations have to take place when all the proactive health and safety measures, such as training, planning and risk analysis, are in place,” notes Zinn.

Further, Skyriders’ personnel can be deployed countrywide in an emergency to assist with rescue work if they are available, or if they are situated at a work site and can redeploy – depending on client approval.

Skyriders’

rescue personnel are equipped with specialised rigging systems and ventilation systems, as well as medical, gas-monitoring and analysis equipment.

“A properly trained rope-access technician who employs safe work ethics and uses certified equipment can access just about any work site safely and a lot quicker than other conventional technicians,” he says.

All rope-access procedures are regulated by International Stand-ards Organisation standards, requiring detailed risk assessments prior to work being carried out. Skyriders is ISO 9001:2008- and OHSAS 18001:2007-accredited.

“Safety is a strategic objective for Skyriders’ personnel,” says Zinn, adding that the company conducts regular inspection and maintenance of all its equipment. It has also appointed a group safety officer to ensure all safety-related aspects of Skyriders’ work receive high priority.

Training Skyriders’ rope-access technicians undergo various levels of training, depending on their level of expertise, which includes rope-access Level 1, 2 and 3.

Training for basic and advanced fall arrest is also conducted to mitigate accidents and injuries.

Skyriders can also assist in train- ing companies in aspects, such as confined-space rescue (pending sector education and training authority accreditation), rope-access bolting and rigging and fall protection planners. Upon completion of the course, rope- access certificates are issued and are valid for three years.

Edited by Megan van Wyngaardt
Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

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