The reaction to emergencies can be life or death situations. Pole top and bucket truck rescue training teaches the skills necessary to save another persons life.

This course will give actual Hands-On experience for both pole top and bucket truck rescue operations that require dynamic action. The rigging, lifting, and lowering skills necessary to get the victim down from elevated heights must be trained and practiced. Rescue techniques from pole tops and aerial bucket trucks should be included in all annual training so workers can be prepared for any emergency situation.

This rescue training will meet OSHA requirements for rescue instruction and a certification of completion for both training sessions will be issued.

Anyone interested in being trained and to meet the OSHA standards and requirements for today's Pole Top and Bucket Truck Rescue.

Student must have pole climbing experience and the basic operations of the bucket truck.

Module I: Time is  Critical
                                                                                                       
You may have to help a man on a pole reach ground safely when he:
·      Becomes Ill
·      Is Injured
·      Loses consciousness
You must know:
·      When he needs help
·      When and why time is critical
·      The approved method of lowering
 


Module II: Basic Steps in Pole-Top Rescue
·      Evaluate the situation
·      Call for emergency help
·      Provide for your protection
·      Climb to rescue position
·      Determine the injured persons condition

Then, if necessary
·      Give first aid
·      Lower the injured
·      Give the follow-up care
·      Call for help
 


Module III:  Evaluate the Situation

Call to the man on the pole. If he does not answer or appears stunned or dazed, do the following:
·      Prepare to go to his aid – Time is extremely important.
 
 

Module IV: Provide for your protection
      Your safety is vital to the rescue. Use personnel tools and rubber gloves (also rubber sleeves, is required).
·      Checklist of Equipment and Site Conditions
o  Extra rubber goods
o  Live-line tools
o  Physical condition of the pole
§  Damaged conductors or equipment?
§  Fire on the pole?
§  Broken Pole?
§ Hand line on pole in good condition?
 


Module V: Climb to the Rescue Position
 
      Climb carefully and position yourself to
·      Insure your safety.
·       Clear the injured from hazard.
·       Determine the injured persons conditions
·       Render aid as required
·       Start mouth-to-mouth, if required.
·      Lower the injured, if necessary.
The best position will usually be slightly above the injured.
 
 

Module VI: Determine the Injured persons Condition
      He may be….
·      Conscious
·       Unconscious but breathing
·       Unconscious and not breathing
·      Unconscious, not breathing, heart stopped
      If the Injured is conscious,
·      Time may no longer be critical.
·       Give necessary first aid on the pole
·       Reassure the injured
·       Help him descend the pole
·       Give first aid on the ground
·      Call for help, if necessary
      If the injured is unconscious but breathing,
·      Watch him closely in case the breathing stops
·       Lower him to the ground
·       Give first aid on the ground
·      Call for help
      The method of lowering an injured man is
·      Safe
·       Simple
·      Available
      Equipment Needed:
·      ½ - in hand line
      Procedure:
·      Position Hand line
·       Tie injured
·       Remove slack in hand line
·       Take firm grip on fall line
·       Cut injured person safety strap
·      Lower injured
 

Module VII: Rescuer

Position the hand line over crossarm or other part of the structure.
Position the line for a clear path to ground (usually the best position is 2 or 3 ft. from the pole).
Wrap the short end of the line around the fall line twice (two wraps around the fall line)
Tie the hand line around the victim’s chest using three half-hitches.

Tie the injured as follows:
·      Pass the hand line around the injured, high on the chest
·      Tie a three half-hitch knot in front, near one armpit.
·      Snug the knot.
            Remove the slack in the hand line.
·      If only one rescuer – he removes slack while on pole
·      If two rescuers – man on ground removes slack
            Take firm grip on fall line
                    If only one rescuer - he holds fall line with one hand
                    If two rescuers – man on ground holds
            Cut injured person’s safety strap
        Cut strap on side opposite desired swing
        Caution: Do not cut your own safety strap on hand line.



Module VIII:Lower Injured

        One Rescuer
•    Guide load line with one hand
•    Control rate of descent with the other hand
        Two Rescuers
•    Man on the pole guides the load line
•    Man on the ground controls rate of descent



Module IX:    One-Man Rescue versus Two-Man Rescue

These rescues differ only in the control of the fall line.
    Remember the approved method of lowering an injured man is
•    Position Hand line
•    Tie Injured
•    Remove slack in hand line
•    Take firm grip on fall line
•    Cut injured persons safety strap
•    Lower the injured



Module X:   Bucket Truck Rescue

•    Equip a portion of the insulated boom of the truck with rope blocks designed for hot- line work.
•    The strap is placed around the insulated boom approximately 10ft from the bucket to support the rope blocks.
•    The blocks are held taut on the boom from the strap to the bottom of the boom.
•    The rescuer on the ground evaluates the conditions when the emergency arises.
•    The bucket is lowered using the manual override controls at the bottom of the boom and avoiding any obstacles.
•    The hook on the rope blocks is engaged in a ring on the lineman’s safety strap.
•    The safety strap is released from the boom of the truck and the rope blocks are drawn taut by the rescuer on the ground.
•    The injured victim is raised out of the bucket with rope blocks and eased to the ground (care needs to be taken to protect the victim from further injury).
•    Release the rope blocks from the victim.
•    The bucket may have a tilt feature that would eliminate the need for special rigging to remove the injured person from the bucket.
•    Lay the victim on his back and determine if they are conscious.
•    If the injured is unconscious and not breathing, provide an open airway and begin chest compressions until emergency services arrive.
•    If the victim regains consciousness, continue to monitor them closely until emergency services arrive.

Instructor-Led with numerous Hands-On labs and exercises.

BTS always provides equipment to have a very successful Hands-On course. BTS also encourages all attendees to bring their own equipment to the course. This will provide attendees the opportunity to incorporate their own gear into the labs and gain valuable training using their specific equipment.

1 Day