UK Coastguards must fill out a safety statement before they start a rescue.

Run_to_da_hills

Coastguards have been ordered to fill in a health and safety statement before they can respond to calls for help. All 400 of Britain's rescue units have been told that before they travel to an accident scene they must complete a 'vehicle pre-journey risk assessment'.

It is feared lives may be lost as vital minutes could be taken up with the assessments just as rescuers are preparing their response to emergency callouts. Seems ridiculous and the type of red tape one would expect on a building site and not with the emergency service. Surely a competent supervisor should have good knowledge of health and safety without having to go through all this red tape.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1123031/Coastguards-start-rescue-healthy-safety-assessment.html

metman

We're used to this kind of nonsense in the emergency services in the UK where everything must be micromanaged and risk-assessed to the max.

For something like the coastguard I can't see what'll be gained by a risk-assessment form.....

Coastguard Station, South East England.

2324hours Zulu time.

A call has been received that a vessel is in difficulty in rough seas.

"Right lads, where's the risk assessment form? Ok, lets fill it in and get cracking....."

Question 1. Does this incident involve deep water?
Yes.
Question 2. Does this incident involve heavy machinery?
Yes.
Question 3. Does this incident involve adverse weather conditions?
Yes.
Question 4. Does this incident involve maneuvers in darkness/low visibility?
Yes.
Question 5. Does this incident involve dealing with distressed/injured/bleeding/dying persons?
Yes.
Question 6. Do all personnel have the appropriate training/kit?
Erm yes.

If you have answered yes to the majority of these questions do not attempt a rescue as this activity is rated too hazardous.
:eek::rolleyes::D;)

Is this a load of old pc nonsense?

timmywex

That is crazy.

Imagine getting a call for assistance but having to do paper work before leaving. Crazy much?!

civdef

This seems odd, notsure why they wouldn't use a system like the fire service - dynamic risk assesment, coupled to prepared risk assessment and SOPs.

I suppose someone somewhere wants a paper trail.

Bligh

this is crazy, how can you maintain a 15 minute readyness for aircraft with this type of complete ****e. Risk asessment is a continuness process within the CG, with the guys in the MRCC and those onscene doing their best to save lives without risking more. There is enought of paper work with an incident as it is.