EMG/General/TBT-EMG-005

Structural Collapse Response

Emergency Preparedness › General › Structural Collapse Response

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Structural collapse on a construction site can trap, crush, and bury workers under tonnes of debris with little or no warning.
The first priority after a collapse is to prevent further collapse — secondary collapse kills rescuers who rush into the debris.
Do not enter the collapse zone until a competent structural assessment confirms the remaining structure is stable.
Call 999 immediately and request fire and rescue service attendance — they have specialist urban search and rescue capability.
Account for all workers who may have been in the collapse area using the site register and any access control records.
Casualties who are visible and accessible may be helped if it is safe to do so — do not move rubble that may be supporting structure.
Maintain communication with any trapped persons — talking to them provides reassurance and allows their condition to be monitored.
Establish an inner cordon preventing entry and an outer cordon for staging emergency services and site management.
Preserve the collapse scene for investigation by the HSE, police, and structural engineers after rescue operations conclude.
Post-incident welfare support must be provided for everyone on site — witnessing a collapse is a traumatic experience.

Secondary collapse	The remaining structure may be unstable — rushing in to help causes secondary collapse that kills rescuers as well as casualties.
Specialist rescue	Urban search and rescue teams have equipment and training for structural collapse — site workers do not and should not attempt it.
Account for everyone	The site register is the only way to know who may be trapped — a missing name on the roll call tells rescuers who to search for.

Don't

DON'T rush into the collapse zone — secondary collapse kills rescuers.
DON'T attempt structural collapse rescue without specialist equipment and training.
DON'T assume everyone is accounted for — check the register for every name.
DON'T allow unauthorised persons near the collapse — maintain strict cordons.
DON'T move rubble that may be supporting the remaining structure above casualties.
DON'T stop communicating with trapped persons — your voice keeps them calm.
DON'T disturb the debris unnecessarily — further movement risks additional collapse.
DON'T clean up or disturb the scene before investigators have attended.
DON'T neglect the wellbeing of witnesses — arrange welfare support immediately.
DON'T delay briefing emergency services — they need site information to plan rescue.

See also: Emergency Plan Awareness | Incident Investigation Process

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