04.10.2024

Lack of rescue at height training?

A UK coroner has raised concerns over the current level of training for rescues at height in all platform operator courses, including IPAF courses.

Her concerns involve the level of practical rescue at height training for those taking aerial work platform operator courses. The main focus of here concern relates to training - or lack of it - to perform platform to platform rescues, as was carried out in the case that she investigated, in which Jason Holland, 51 died while working at a large site in central England in early 2023.

In most such cases a person can be brought down by using the lower emergency controls, which is another subject, where too many people working on the ground in the vicinity of a platform have no idea how to use the emergency down system. In basket to basket rescue, a second platform is not always available, and it is often left to the emergency services to carry out, who do receive such rescue at height training.

The report does though raise some interesting points which is worth looking at, but a full blown rescue at height training session is almost a second full day course.

IPAF - the International Powered Access Federation - issued the following statement: ""IPAF has formally addressed concerns raised by HM Coroner's Office regarding rescue at height training. The matter was discussed during the most recent council meeting, and IPAF is now conducting a thorough review of potential measures through a newly established working group. Updates on progress will be provided as developments arise."

The report

The following is an abbreviated version of the report. The full report can be seen at https://www.judiciary.uk/prevention-of-future-death-reports/jason-holland-prevention-of-future-deaths-report/

“On 16 February 2023 I commenced an investigation into the death of Jason Vaughan Holland aged 51. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest held before a Jury on 12th July 2024. The conclusion of the jury was that: Jason unintentionally activated the platform raising function instead of the drive function. The Jury returned a conclusion of accidental death.”

Jason Vaughan Holland was an experienced self-employed electrician. On the 10th of February 2023 he was working at the Mercia Park site when he was found entrapped between a scissor lift and ladder racking at a height of approximately 20 metres. As a result of this he suffered a cardiac arrest which resulted in an unsurvivable brain injury.

Circumstances of the death

Electrician Jason Holland had been subcontracted to work on a construction site at Mercia Park at the fit out stage, installing cabling within containment trays, mostly at heights of 20 metres. Holland was an electrician with more than 20 years and held a valid IPAF card.

On 10th February 2023, whilst tie wrapping armoured cable in containment tray in the roof space, he became trapped between the scissor lift guardrail and the containment tray.

According to the coroner, the scissor lift could not be lowered from the lower controls, as “Holland was positioned over the rail and any movement could have caused him to fall 20 metres to the floor.” As a result, a basket to basket rescue was carried out using a boom lift, with the rescuer using the platform controls while supporting the stricken man.

“None of those in the rescue had been practically trained on how to conduct such a rescue before.” And it took around 20 minutes from him being discovered to fully lower the scissor lift.

Holland had suffered a cardiac arrest, but paramedics entered the platform and were able to establish a return of spontaneous circulation. He then went into cardiac arrest for a second time, and once again paramedics were able to establish a return of spontaneous circulation.

A secondary part of the rescue involved bringing him down from the 2.4 metre high stowed platform and into an ambulance.

Coroner’s concerns

“During the course of the investigation my inquiries revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken.”

“I heard from a number of organisations within the construction and electrical industry and self-employed trades persons. I heard that the industry recognised standard within construction for individuals being assessed as competent to operate a mobile elevated working platforms is IPAF, whereby individuals undergo a one day course to be assessed as competent to operate a cherry picker/boom lift (3a) or scissor lifts (3b). Operatives who pass the course are issued with an IPAF card which is renewed every five years.”

“As part of the course, I understand that operatives are classroom trained and then practically assessed operating the necessary work platforms. Whilst the theory touches upon rescue at height scenarios (albeit having seen the syllabus it deals with potential falls from heights not entrapment). It does not include practical training on rescue at height scenarios or basket to basket rescues drills as standard. I heard evidence of the challenges that the organisations had found in sourcing a practical drill based course for an at height rescue.”

“All operatives I heard from working for a range of trades had their IPAF cards and not one had ever received practical training of at height rescue. They all told me that they had received theory based training only.”

“I am therefore concerned to note that practical based rescue drills are not part of the standard competence based training offered for those operating these machines who are likely to be first on site facilitating rescues.”

“Whilst Mr Holland’s case concerned the construction industry and the assessment of competency through IPAF, I understand that all of those organisations identified operate within their relevant sectors as IPAF does for the construction industry and elevating work platform operating competency based courses follow a similar syllabus, without any practical rescue from height drills being offered as standard.”

The full report was sent to:
The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF)
The Road Transport Industry Training Board (RTITB)
LANTRA (LANd and TRAining)
Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register (ITSSAR)
National Plant Operators Scheme (NPOS)
National Open College Network (NOCN) as part of the Construction Plant Competence Construction Scheme (CPCS)

Vertikal Comment

There is not much to add to the above from our part, but one thought that does spring to mind is that organisations such as IPAF might wish to add an extra half day or full day course on rescuing people stranded in a platform, for whatever reason they are stuck there. But it should probably be a separate course from the platform operators course. If a decent rescue section was added to the existing course, it would risk extending the time and cost of the PAL card course, putting off those who are already somewhat reluctant.

Another thought is to develop an online module that course delegates can complete prior to taking the main operator course?
Comments welcome.