For professionals who regularly work at height, the risk of falling is an inherent aspect of work life. That’s why people who work on towers, on construction sites, on platforms and the like typically wear fall protection gear. But fall protection alone may not be enough. In effect, when someone falls, even wearing fall protection, they still need to be rescued from the fall protection gear.

In part one of this series, we discussed the significance of OSHA’s prompt rescue requirement. In part two, we addressed the benefits of self-rescue following a fall.

In this final entry, part 3, we present the criteria to consider in evaluating self-rescue equipment.

What Self-Rescue Solution is the Right Solution?

So, if we agree that fall protection is insufficient for protecting the safety of workers at heights, and we agree that self-rescue is the best approach to prompt rescue…then what? How do we determine the best solution for prompt self-rescue? Here are a few guidelines for evaluating self-rescue equipment options:

• Simple - As most workers in commercial or industrial environments are not trained rescue professionals, safety managers are advised to look for self-rescue systems that are as simple as possible so that their employees have the best chance of successfully operating it in a fall emergency.
  
  
• Ready-to-Go - Managers should look for systems that can be carried pre-rigged so that they are ready to go at a moment’s notice.
  
  
• Replaceable Ropes - Systems that allow for rope replacement can save time and money due to their increased versatility. With these types of systems, specific ropes may be allocated for training, and ropes can be swapped for specific applications, such as different rope lengths for different heights. Plus, ropes can easily be replaced when worn, which saves the cost of replacing an entire system when only a rope is needed.
  
  
• Hands-Free - Those systems that include controlled descent devices that can be operated in a truly hands-free fashion may of particular benefit. Hands-free operation means a stronger possibility of safe descent, even for a worker traumatized by the event or dealing with injuries to his hands or upper body.

DEUS Self-Rescue: Simple, Safe and Reliable

DEUS Rescue offers a safe, reliable and hands-free self-rescue option – the DEUS 3700 controlled descent device.

The DEUS 3700 is the ideal self-rescue system for tower workers because it is simple to use for safe, fast hands-free descent.

Third-party tested and certified to the ANSI Z359.4-2007 fall protection rescue standard, the DEUS 3700 can be carried pre-rigged and set to “go” so it’s ready the instant it’s needed. The 3700 features quadruple-redundant braking, automatic speed-limiting technology, hands-free descent, and a speed control dial to control descent with just two fingers. Plus, ropes can be replaced so it’s cost-effective and versatile. Nothing is simpler, safer or more reliable.

The DEUS 3700 is sold as part of the DEUS Industrial Escape Kit. Or, look to the more extensive DEUS Industrial Escape & Rescue Kit, featuring additional tools for a range of self-rescue and assisted rescue needs.