Dying in harness

摘要

SUSPENSION TRAUMA, also Known as orthostatic intolerance or harness hang syndrome, can be a killer. Although its effects have been known about for decades, it is only recently that industry regulators, rescue teams and all those who wear harnesses as part of their work have started to take notice. The driving forces were the arrival of the Work at Height Regulations (WAHR) 2005 and British Standard BS 8473. The Regulations make it a legal duty for risk assessments and working practices to consider the risk of suspension trauma whenever personal fall-protection equipment is used. The WAHR require all users of personal fall-protection systems (from lanyards to rope access) to be trained in rescue and to plan work with the consequences of a fall in mind. This means they need to know how and when suspension trauma can happen, what to do to prevent it and how to treat it. Normal first-aid rules could effectively kill a sufferer.