Rescuing a Worker from an Automatic Warehousing System

911?

That is good. Sooooo - how's the weather?

Believe it or not, the American Heart Association is the agency you need to contact.

They can help you get set up. Obviously, when an event happens you call 911, but if you want to certify or train first responders, the AHA is the place to go. You might also look into the American Red Cross. I know they do training as well.

Finally, it would be a good measure (if not mandatory) to talk to your local EMS/Fire department and they may want to do an inspection so that they can understand the magnitude of risks and determine if the tools and training they have on hand are adequate for your facility.

Good luck.

_{Finally, it would be a good measure (if not mandatory) to talk to your local EMS/Fire department and they may want to do an inspection so that they can understand the magnitude of risks and determine if the tools and training they have on hand are adequate for your facility.}

This is actually a very smart thing to do. Become familiar with your local emergency services. Invite them over for an informal lunch. Have them familiar with what you do. Allow them to tour your building (floorplan) a cursory review of MSDS (health hazards) and show them your equipment (physical safety).

They will appreciate it and so will you. You can make this event a team building, morale boosting event that demonstrates to both/all parties that you care.

And in the event that there is an emergency the responders are that much more prepared for you.

cr3

It was suggested a while ago at our facility, by a supervisor, that the men should be equipped with a parachute. Yes, he's still a supervisor.

I think only the executive get that.

As stated, contact your local FD. They are going to have to deal with the problem if it happens. They should be happy to get you to start the rescue process.They would probably help with rour plan. Good luck.

Ladder? Some method to let the lifeline pay out slowly? Pull them back up and let them climb down the way they climbed up? What can the fire department do that you can't do for yourself?

"What can the fire department do that you can't do for yourself?"

Possible avert a lawsuit.

If the person was capable of returning the way that they got there, it would not be an emergency. You could just play a recording that says; " hey dummy, get down here".

You don't say where your plant is located, but from the complexity, I assume you are in a fairly well developed country, where automation is cheaper than labor for warehousing.

There are several resources for training your own personnel, as well as coordinating with the local rescue.

• Most trade association (in the US, National Association of Manufacturers) have a safety group which provides information and training.
• The governmental safety agency (OSHA in the US) has extensive resources on this topic. Although not exactly the same, the rescue requirements are similar to the regulations for Confined Space access.
• From my own industry (electric power), this type of aerial rescue is required training for line crews who work overhead. The safety manager at your local electric company may be able to help, or at least point you to more resources.

Tony

low budget film makers in my native country used a 5 or 6-ft stack of large-sized flattened carton boxes in lieu of cushions (e.g., fridge carton box) where stuntmen could "fall to their death" from the second floor.

it's very likely your warehouse would have such empty boxes that can be used to position under the suspended person, just in case he falls. with this, he can be instructed to try and climb back to the place he fell from. or, use the forklift to access him and get him down.