Emergency Rescue Plan
A rescue plan is hopefully something you’ll never have to use but your organisation should have one prepared in case the worst happens. To make things easy, our health and safety experts have created a free emergency rescue plan. Simply download the Word document and fill in the relevant details or copy and paste and create your own using the text below.
Download a free emergency rescue plan template
One way to reduce the likelihood of having to put your emergency rescue plan into action is to identify all your risks and manage them appropriately. You can do this by using our health and safety software to create unlimited safety docs in minutes.
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Who is responsible for creating an emergency rescue plan?
Every employer is responsible for creating an emergency rescue plan in the UK. The employer’s responsibility includes putting in place clear and appropriate processes for any emergency and updating the rescue plan regularly. It should be a written document that’s stored somewhere safe and accessible for employees.
Ideally a health and safety executive or compliance manager will create an emergency rescue plan. Anyone can put it together as long as it includes all relevant sections – using a template helps. However, the emergency rescue plan should be signed by the managing director, CEO, or business owner as it’s their responsibility as an employer.
Emergency rescue plan template
Copy the emergency rescue plan template below and complete with information relevant to your organisation or download a free Word version here.
If the site rescue team is unable to affect a rescue within 5 minutes, then the fire and rescue service and the ambulance service should be called on – 999.
Once the rescue team is in attendance and, if required, a nominated person should go to the site entrance to meet and direct the emergency services. They should provide the following information and include these details the emergency rescue plan:
Communication
What communication systems will be used between the suspended worker and the supervisor/rescue team?
- Direct voice communication
- Whistle
- Mobile phone
- Two-way radios/headsets
Emergency contacts
In the event of an emergency/fall from height, the work at height (WAH) supervisor should immediately alert the:
- Rescue team and first aid assistance:
- First aider(s):
- Local accident and emergency hospital:
- Local fire and rescue service:
- First aid box/accident book location:
Safety of rescuers – checklist
- Are operators trained competent and in date in the use of rescue equipment?
- Are rescue training records in date?
- Are there a sufficient number of rescuers available?
- Is rescue equipment selected appropriately for the nature of work?
- What obstructions are in the way of reaching the suspended operator?
- Have assessments been made of anchor points, and are they in date for a test?
- Has consideration been made to the method of attaching the casualty?
How will rescuers get to a casualty?
- Rescue ladder
- Remote rescue kit
- Keys to building and roof
- Elevator
- Pull casualty in through window/balcony
- Pull casualty up through floor/slab/roof
- Climb/abseil down building or structure
- Suspended access equipment
- Aerial equipment from ground
- Crane man basket
What equipment is needed to ensure rescue within 5 minutes to minimise suspension trauma?
- Rescue ladder
- Aerial ladder truck
- Rollgliss R250 Remote Rescue Kit
- Suspended access equipment
- Toxic shock strap
- Climbing/rope rescue system
- Safety ropes
- Crane
- Man basket
- MEWP
- Stretcher
- First aid kit
- Pneupac resuscitator
If an operative is injured
Can the casualty still be rescued within 5 minutes?
Is a qualified first aider who understands suspension trauma present?
Who and how will the emergency services and hospital be alerted?
- Assign someone to direct traffic
- Set up barriers
How will the accident scene be protected?
- Prevent further injury or damage
- Set up barriers
- Preserve wreckage
- Report incident/event in normal manner
Other considerations:
- Weather
- Proximity to emergency services/hospital
- Language barriers (agency/contract staff)