Rescue over water: practice for emergencies

Occupational safety is the be-all and end-all on any construction site. But bridge construction over water, as here on our Isar bridge in Landshut, harbours further risks that need to be taken into account. To ensure that our construction site team is well prepared for an emergency, a rescue and evacuation exercise was held on 10 September 2020 together with the Landshut Water Rescue Service and the Landshut Technical Relief Organisation and BG BAU.

The aim was to practise the rescue concept with the rescue equipment provided - even if we hope that we never have to use it...

Two different rescue scenarios were created for this purpose:

• Scenario 1: Rescue of a person who has had an accident and is hanging over the water in a harness on the superstructure.
• Scenario 2: Rescue of a person floating in the water

In scenario 1 , an employee has fallen from the work surface during assembly work on the superstructure and is hanging from the safety rope in which he is secured to a so-called "lifeline" on the superstructure by his PPE (= personalprotective equipment against falling, i.e. a safety harness).

In scenario 2 , an unsecured employee has fallen into the water, is drifting uncontrollably and needs to be rescued.

The following rescue equipment and devices were used in both rescue exercises:

• Crane
• Manual abseiling system "Jag Rescue Kit"
• Rescue rope clamp
• Rescue boats (site's own and additional support from the water rescue service and THW)
• Rescue net
• PPE equipment (safety harness)
• Height safety equipment

The conclusion of all those involved was clear: "We all hope that we never have to get into a situation like this . But if we do, we now feel confident in dealing with this exceptional situation."

The great cooperation between our construction site, the Landshut Water Rescue Service and the THW Landshut must be emphasised in particular. When you witness an operation like this live - even if it was fortunately only an exercise - you realise once again what these lifesavers achieve on a daily basis. It's great that there are heroes like you - always come back safe and sound !