Email Enquiry Rescue at Heights Initial Email Enquiry – Here at the New Zealand Refining Company this matter of rescue from heights has been a regular safety issue. Some members of our Emergency Services Team have received training at instructor level and the remainder at crew support person level, this we consider a minimum requirement to carryout rescues at process equipment height and from confined spaces. We also have identified the difference between rescues at height and confined space to that of what we term high elevation. High elevation we have deemed as heights exceeding 25 meters or locations that can only be reached by abseiling, man cage or crane these could be chimney stacks, flare stacks etc. We have recently introduced a policy that when work is required at high elevations the company carrying out the work has to prove current competency and the ability to perform self rescue. The equipment that they use must also meet nationally accepted standards and be in test. A rescue plan has to be presented prior to the work being commenced. Experience has shown for us that there are companies who carryout work at heights and are competently trained, but more importantly work frequently at heights. Emergency Service teams are "jack of all trades" and must at times realise they may not be the most competent people to carryout rescues at heights greater than they would normally train at.
Author’s identities are concealed for privacy and security reasons. Further information on the information contained in this topic can be directed to the JOIFF secretariat.
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