By using the right personal protective equipment in combination with a thorough practical training, working at height has become considerably safer in recent years. In the event of a fall, the employee is stopped by means of a fall protection system and the forces are transferred to the body in a correct manner, partially absorbed.

But what if the employee hangs in his harness after a fall? In practice, the forces that occur during a fall are still very high. It often happens that the victim is unable to free himself from his predicament. A hanging victim must be recovered as soon as possible. Research has also shown that orthostatic syncope can occur after 15 minutes in a victim who is suspended motionless in his/her seat belt. The victim quickly becomes unconscious and a life-threatening situation can arise. Rescuing in the right way is therefore essential.

The employer is responsible for good working conditions for its employees, so that their safety, health and well-being are not adversely affected. If all safety requirements are met, something can always go wrong. We call this the residual risk and this must be socially acceptable. The residual risk forms the starting point for a (company) emergency plan. Requirements in this regard are described in Article 15 of the Working Conditions Act and it includes the following areas of attention:

• Evacuate the victim from a danger zone, or within reach of professional assistance (if relevant, emergency escape)
• Providing first aid (with specific risks)
• Evacuation and fighting of incipient fires (depending on the circumstances, perhaps less relevant if people work on location, but for the roofer).
• Alert

It is always wise to alert the professional emergency services first. But calling 112 is not enough as an emergency plan. However, it does not relieve you as an employer of the obligation to quickly bring the victim within the reach of professional care providers within a certain reasonableness. Keep in mind that there are currently only a handful of regions that have an altitude rescue team at their disposal. A standard fire truck crew is not trained and equipped to provide rescue at height. The arrival time of a specialist team is often (too) long. The possibilities of the aerial platform and ladder are limited. Valuable time is lost while waiting for the right help!