EMERGENCY PLAN
A designated ground rescue person should be appointed who knows the rescue procedure
While the EWP operation is taking place at least one (and as many as is appropriate) designated ground rescue person should be appointed who knows the rescue procedure and has been familiarized with the EWP being used (including emergency rescue controls).
They should always be readily available in the event of an emergency.
Personnel on the ground, who are competent to lower the EWP in an emergency, should undergo familiarization with the emergency and ground controls and practice emergency lowering procedures at regular intervals in accordance with the emergency rescue plan.
Ground rescue person(s) procedure: if visibility and understanding of situation from the ground are good, ground staff should effect a rescue using the ground controls in the following order:
- auxiliary power at first which gives the slowest and most controlled maneuver of the boom until it is obvious that the basket/platform is clear of any obstructions at height.
- powered descent: once clear of obstructions, it is then recommended to switch to powered descent to maximize the speed of recovery.
