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U. S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine
Office of Science and Technology Assessment
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Suspension Trauma/Orthostatic Intolerance
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Safety and Health Information Bulletins |
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SHIB 03-24-2004 |
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This Safety and Health Information Bulletin is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations.
The Bulletin is advisory in nature, informational in content, and is intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful
workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to comply with hazard-specific safety and health standards. In
addition, pursuant to Section 5(a)(1), the General Duty Clause of the OSHAct, employers must provide their employees with a workplace
free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. Employers can be cited for violating the General Duty Clause
if there is a recognized hazard and they do not take reasonable steps to prevent or abate the hazard. However, failure to implement any
recommendations in this bulletin, is not, in itself, a violation of the General Duty Clause. Citations can only be based on standards,
regulations, and the General Duty Clause.
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Purpose
 This Safety and Health Information Bulletin provides employees and employers with important information about the
hazards of orthostatic intolerance and suspension trauma when using fall arrest systems. This bulletin:
- describes the signs and symptoms of orthostatic intolerance;
- discusses how orthostatic intolerance can occur while workers are suspended following a fall; and
- outlines recommendations for preventing orthostatic intolerance, as well as recommendations for worker training and rescue.
Background
Orthostatic intolerance may be defined as "the development of symptoms such as light-headedness, palpitations,
tremulousness, poor concentration, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, headache, sweating, weakness and occasionally fainting during upright
standing" [1,2]. While in a sedentary position, blood can accumulate in the veins, which is commonly called "venous pooling," and
cause orthostatic intolerance [3]. Orthostatic intolerance also can occur when an individual moves suddenly after being sedentary for a
long time. For example, a person may experience orthostatic intolerance when they stand up quickly after sitting still for a long time.
A well-known example of orthostatic intolerance is that of a soldier who faints while standing at attention for long period of time.
The moment the soldier loses consciousness, he or she collapses into a horizontal position. With the legs, heart, and brain on the same
level, blood is returned to the heart. Assuming no injuries are caused during the collapse, the individual will quickly regain consciousness
and recovery is likely to be rapid.
Venous pooling typically occurs in the legs due to the force of gravity and a lack of movement. Some venous pooling occurs naturally when a
person is standing. In the veins, blood normally is moved back to the heart through one-way valves using the normal muscular action
associated with limb movement. If the legs are immobile, then these "muscle pumps" do not operate effectively, and blood can accumulate.
Since veins can expand, a large volume of blood may accumulate in the veins.
 An accumulation of blood in the legs reduces the amount of blood in circulation. The body reacts to this reduction by speeding up the
heart rate and in an attempt to maintain sufficient blood flow to the brain. If the blood supply is significantly reduced, this reaction
will not be effective. The body will abruptly slow the heart rate and blood pressure will diminish in the arteries. During severe venous
pooling, the reduction in quantity and/or quality (oxygen content) of blood flowing to the brain causes fainting. This reduction also can
have an effect on other vital organs, such as the kidneys [3]. The kidneys are very sensitive to blood oxygen, and renal failure can occur
with excessive venous pooling. If these conditions continue, they potentially may be fatal
[3].
Description of Hazard
Orthostatic intolerance may be experienced by workers using fall arrest systems. Following a fall, a worker may remain
suspended in a harness. The sustained immobility may lead to a state of unconsciousness. Depending on the length of time the suspended
worker is unconscious/immobile and the level of venous pooling, the resulting orthostatic intolerance may lead to death. While not common,
such fatalities often are referred to as "harness-induced pathology" or "suspension trauma."
Signs & symptoms that may be observed in an individual who is approaching orthostatic intolerance:
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| Faintness |
Nausea |
| Breathlessness |
Dizziness |
| Sweating |
Unusually Low Heart Rate |
| Paleness |
Unusually Low Blood Pressure |
| Hot Flashes |
"Greying" or Loss of Vision |
| Increased Heart Rate |
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References: Seddon, Paul. Harness Suspension:
review and evaluation of existing information. Health and Safety Executive. Research Report 451/2002. 104 pp.
Sheehan, Alan. Suspension Trauma. Training handout. |
Factors that can affect the degree of risk of suspension trauma:
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| Inability to move legs |
Hypothermia |
| Pain |
Shock |
| Injuries during fall |
Cardiovascular disease |
| Fatigue |
Respiratory disease |
| Dehydration |
Blood loss |
References: Seddon, Paul. Harness Suspension: review and evaluation of existing information.
Health and Safety Executive. Research Report 451/2002. 104 pp.
Sheehan, Alan. Suspension Trauma. Training handout. |
Unconscious/immobile workers suspended in their harness will not be able to move their legs and will
not fall into a horizontal position, as they would if they fainted while standing. During the static upright position, venous
pooling is likely to occur and cause orthostatic intolerance, especially if the suspended worker is left in place for some time.
Venous pooling and orthostatic intolerance can be exacerbated by other circumstances related to the fall. For example, shock or
the experience of the event that caused the fall, other injuries, the fit/ positioning of the harness, the environmental conditions,
and the worker’s psychological state all may increase the onset and severity of the pooling and orthostatic intolerance [3,5]. Unless
the worker is rescued promptly using established safe procedures, venous pooling and orthostatic intolerance could result in serious
or fatal injury, as the brain, kidneys, and other organs are deprived of oxygen
[3].
The amount of time spent in this position, with the legs below the heart, affects the manner in which the worker should be rescued
[3].
Moving the worker quickly into a horizontal position - a natural reaction - is likely to cause a large volume of deoxygenated blood to
move to the heart, if the worker had been suspended for an extended period. The heart may be unable to cope with the abrupt increase in
blood flow, causing cardiac arrest [3,5]. Rescue procedures must take this into account. Recommended rescue procedures are outlined below
in the Conclusions and Recommendations section.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Prolonged suspension from fall arrest systems can cause
orthostatic intolerance, which, in turn, can result in serious physical injury,
or potentially, death. Research indicates that suspension in a fall arrest
device can result in unconsciousness, followed by death, in less than 30 minutes
[4]. To reduce the risk associated with prolonged suspension in fall arrest
systems, employers should implement plans to prevent prolonged suspension in
fall protection devices. The plan should include procedures for: preventing
prolonged suspension, identifying orthostatic intolerance signs and symptoms,
and performing rescue and treatment as quickly as
possible.
OSHA recommends the following general practices/considerations:
- Rescue suspended workers as quickly as possible.
- Be aware that suspended workers are at risk of orthostatic intolerance and suspension trauma.
- Be aware of signs and symptoms of orthostatic intolerance.
- Be aware that orthostatic intolerance is potentially life threatening. Suspended workers with head injuries or who are unconscious
are particularly at risk.
- Be aware of factors that can increase the risk of suspension trauma.
- Be aware that some authorities advise against moving the rescued workers to a horizontal position too quickly.
Training
OSHA requires employers to train workers to use fall arrest systems and other personal protective equipment correctly while
performing their jobs, in accordance with standards 29 CFR 1910.132 (Personal Protective Equipment) 29 CFR 1915.159 (Personal Fall Arrest
Systems) and 29 CFR 1926.503 (Training Requirements for Fall Protection).
Workers who wear fall arrest devices while working, and those who may perform rescue activities, should also be trained in:
- How to ascertain whether their personal protective equipment is properly fitted and worn, so that it performs as intended;
- How orthostatic intolerance/suspension trauma may occur;
- The factors that may increase a worker’s risk;
- How to recognize the signs and symptoms identified in this bulletin; and
- The appropriate rescue procedures and methods to diminish risk while suspended.
Rescue Procedures
Under 29 CFR 1926.502 (d) (Fall Protection Systems Criteria and Practices), OSHA requires that employers provide for "prompt rescue
of employees in the event of a fall or shall assure that employees are able to rescue themselves." This should include identifying
rescue procedures that address the potential for orthostatic intolerance and suspension trauma. Rescue procedures also should address
how the rescued worker will be handled to avoid any post-rescue injuries.
 Rescue procedures should include the following contingency based actions:
- If self-rescue is impossible, or if rescue cannot be performed promptly, the worker should be trained to "pump" his/her legs frequently
to activate the muscles and reduce the risk of venous pooling. Footholds can be used to alleviate pressure, delay symptoms, and provide
support for "muscle pumping."
- Continuous monitoring of the suspended worker for signs and symptoms of orthostatic intolerance and suspension trauma.
- Ensuring that a worker receives standard trauma resuscitation1 once rescued. Some authorities recommend that the patient be transported
with the upper body raised.
- If the worker is unconscious, keeping the worker’s air passages open and obtain first aid.
- Monitoring the worker after rescue, and ensuring that the worker is evaluated by a health-care professional. The worker should be
hospitalized when appropriate. Possible delayed effects, such as kidney failure, which is not unusual in these cases, are difficult to
assess on the scene.
References
- Robertson, David. Orthostatic Intolerance. Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.
- New York Medical College. Orthostatic Intolerance. Vahalla, New York.
- Seddon, Paul. Harness Suspension: Review and evaluation of existing information. Health and Safety Executive. Research Report 451/2002.
104 pp.
- Sheehan, Alan. Suspension Trauma. Training handout.
- Weems, Bill and Bishop, Phil. Will Your Safety Harness Kill You? Occupational Health & Safety. 72(3): 86-88, 90, March, 2003.
1National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT). Provider
Textbook section in: PHTLS Basic and Advanced Prehospital Trauma Life Support
Fifth Edition St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2003: Section 1. Summary available at:
http://phtls.org/datafiles/ PHTLS%205ed%20Compendium.pdf
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