Emergency Evacuation Procedure – Developed by Experts in Safe Work at Heights and Rescue

In accordance with Article 224, §1 of the Polish Labor Code, every employer conducting activities that may pose an immediate danger to the health or life of employees is required to take preventive measures against such risks. §2 states that in cases mentioned in §1, the employer must ensure: The provision of appropriate rescue equipment and devices suited to the type of hazard, along with their operation by properly trained personnel. The provision of first aid to injured individuals. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to effectively prepare for such situations, as well as what tools and procedures can save an employee's life. This is a ready-made solution for occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals—from identifying the problem commonly encountered in workplaces to a comprehensive list of essential equipment for conducting an evacuation, a pre-prepared procedure developed by Bartosz Suski and Artur Kijanka, and information about relevant training.

The Problem: Do you have plans and procedures in place for evacuating employees in an emergency when a worker falls and is left suspended in a safety harness?

The Solution:

• Essential Equipment for Evacuation – We will present the devices and accessories necessary for effective evacuation.

• Evacuation Procedure – Using illustrations, we will provide a step-by-step guide to proper evacuation in an engaging format.

• Evacuation Training – We will showcase training methods, including VR training and hands-on exercises with equipment, designed to reinforce proper response procedures in emergency situations.

Authors

Our goal is to provide you with reliable information and practical guidance to help ensure the highest level of safety at heights—from specialists for specialists. That’s why, together with experts Bartosz Suski and Artur Kijanka, we have created an essential guide for every OHS professional.

Bartosz Suski

CEO of SUSKI Company

Bartosz Suski is the CEO of SUSKI, a company specializing in consulting on fall protection, safe work at heights, and related training. As a Court Expert in "work at height safety" within the field of Occupational Health and Safety, he provides independent opinions on accident cases involving work at heights.

He is a certified technician in the inspection of fall protection equipment and has completed various rescue courses, including "Wind Farm Rescue in Magdeburg," helicopter rescue courses for work at heights, and confined space evacuation training.

Artur Kijanka

Fire Protection and OHS Specialist

Artur Kijanka is an experienced fire protection specialist with 18 years of experience and an OHS specialist working in the field for 14 years. He is a graduate of the Main School of Fire Service in Poland.

Since 2008, he has served as a height rescue specialist for KSRG, and he currently works as a helicopter rescue operator within the KSRG system. He is also certified in rope techniques for aerial operations within the Polish Armed Forces at the basic level.

Artur has completed PZA training in traditional rock climbing and caving techniques. He holds an IRATA Level I certification and is a GWO (Global Wind Organisation) instructor at ASSECURO. Since 2016, he has run his own training company, Artur Kijanka ALPINAK, where he shares his expertise with future generations of specialists.

Essential Equipment for High-Altitude Rescue

The rescue procedure for a casualty suspended beyond the edge of a roof has been developed using the Irudek Boreas HUB evacuation kit along with additional accessories. Below, you will find descriptions of each piece of equipment. Links to an online store where you can purchase this equipment are provided directly below the images.

We encourage you to use the discount code LATO5 to receive a price reduction on your purchase.

A 3D twin model of the necessary equipment has been integrated into our virtual reality training, preparing employees to carry out height evacuations according to the correct procedure.

Read more about the "Working at Heights" VR application here:

Testing our training applications is completely free—sign up for a one-week trial, during which you’ll receive a VR headset with access to over 25 safety training scenarios, including occupational health & safety (OHS), fire protection, and first aid.

1. Irudek Boreas HUB Evacuation Device

An automatic rescue device designed for lowering a casualty who has fallen beyond the edge of a roof.

The operation of this device is demonstrated in our virtual reality training—Working at Heights | EHS VR.

Compliance with standards:
✅ EN 341-A
✅ EN 1496
✅ EN 12841-C

(Comparison of the Boreas HUB device—left: VR training view, right: real-world appearance of the device)

Purchase the necessary equipment here:
Boreas HUB Evacuation Device

2. SALVE Evacuation Device

The SALVE clamping device is part of the Boreas HUB evacuation kit. This innovative solution is recommended as an anchoring point on a fastening element, allowing for lifting or upward movement during rescue operations.

Detailed usage instructions are demonstrated in the Working at Heights application.

(Comparison of the SALVE evacuation device—left: VR training view, right: real-world appearance of the device)

Purchase the necessary equipment here:
SALVE Evacuation Device

3. CTA Express Anchorage Sling

CTA EXPRESS slings serve as an anchoring point made from polyester webbing.

This sling is used to create a secure anchorage point at a fixed, reliable location. The placement and application of the sling are demonstrated in the Working at Heights application.

(Comparison of the CTA Express anchorage sling—left: VR training view, right: real-world appearance of the device)

Purchase the necessary equipment here:
Firma Suski Sp. z o.o.

4. ER100 Edge Roller

The articulated protective guard prevents the rope from fraying or breaking due to contact with sharp or rough edges under the weight of the victim. The roller is mounted to protect the rope coming from the evacuation device leading to the victim. Detailed operating procedures with this equipment are demonstrated in the Working at Heights application.

(Comparison of the ER100 edge roller—left: VR training view, right: real-world appearance of the device)

Purchase the necessary equipment here:
ER100 Edge Roller (firmasuski.pl)

5. ABE 363 Dual Lanyard Energy Absorber

The energy absorber with a Y-lanyard and steel hook is designed to withstand a fall, reducing impact force to below 6 kN. Detailed usage is demonstrated in the Working at Heights | EHS VR application.

(Comparison of the ABE 363 dual lanyard energy absorber—left: VR training view, right: real-world appearance of the device)

Purchase the necessary equipment here:
ABE 363 Dual Lanyard Energy Absorber (firmasuski.pl)

6. Gravity Plus 1 Safety Harness

The safety harness is equipped with a front and rear fall arrest attachment point, marked with the letter “A.” It features adjustable straps on the shoulders, thighs, and chest, while automatic leg buckles ensure an easy and secure fit. Metal rings are designed for attaching carabiners to the free ends of double lanyards. The harness also includes a special polyester padding, which enhances energy absorption and provides maximum comfort during work.
Detailed usage is demonstrated in the Working at Heights application.

(Comparison of the Gravity Plus 1 harness—left: VR training view, right: real-world appearance of the device)

Purchase the necessary equipment here:
Gravity Plus 1 Safety Harness (firmasuski.pl)

7. IRUSACK Transport Bag

The waterproof transport bag is made from highly durable materials that prevent moisture and dirt from reaching the stored equipment.

(Comparison of the IRUSACK transport bag—left: VR training view, right: real-world appearance of the device)

Purchase the necessary equipment here:
IRUSACK Transport Bag (firmasuski.pl)

2. Height Rescue Procedure (currently available only in Polish)

3. On-Site Training with the Above Equipment and Virtual Reality Training – Available Anytime for Any Workplace Proper emergency response requires established procedures and regular training.

To meet the expectations and needs of safety professionals, we have developed a Height Work Training Program based on four key modules:

🔹 Inspection and Selection of Height Safety Equipment – See how it works in the app: https://youtu.be/72C-W4Mryz8

🔹 Horizontal and Vertical Fall Protection Systems – See how it works in the app: https://youtu.be/42wysaUldfc

🔹 Fall from Height – See how it works in the app: https://youtu.be/A3cHgkaXPI0

🔹 Height Rescue & Evacuation – See how it works in the app: https://youtu.be/GRrFA44GtUQ

This training is delivered in a virtual reality application, allowing employees to practice not just once a quarter, but before every height-related task. The app regularly reminds users of key safety aspects and demonstrates the use of real-life equipment that workers handle daily. This way, before climbing up, employees can verify whether they remember all critical safety rules. Using the app is simple – all that’s needed is a VR headset with access to Height Work and a small workspace. The app does not require controllers, utilizing hand-tracking technology for a more immersive and effective training experience. VR training is a cost-effective alternative to expensive in-person training sessions, which should ideally be conducted at least once a year. However, in high-risk work environments, annual training may not be enough. Having VR goggles with on-demand training provides a valuable opportunity to enhance worker safety continuously. To further increase training effectiveness, employees should attend an in-person evacuation training using real rescue equipment at least once a year. The best specialists invite you to train at Suski Training Center in Wysogotowo, or, upon request, we can conduct training at your designated location.

Need a Height Rescue Procedure? If you haven't yet developed a height rescue procedure, order our test VR goggles and check if the procedure designed by our specialists fits your workplace. Fill out the form here: FREE DEMO

New to Virtual Reality? Many professionals have already recognized the potential of VR and are using it to improve training quality and provide employees with a tool they can access anytime to refresh critical safety knowledge. Apart from height work training, we offer 25+ other VR training applications. Sign up for a free trial and test them with your team!