Suspension Trauma Syndrome
Suspension Trauma Syndrome (possibly referred to as harness-induced pathology, suspension
syncopal incident, prolonged motionless suspension syndrome, or simply post-fall faint)
can possibly cause injury or even death if not immediately addressed. A written rescue plan
is not enough. Jobsite specific training and the availability and knowledge in the use of
rescue equipment is paramount to responding in time to a situation.
If you stand for a long period of time, gravity pulls blood into the tissue of our leg and subsequently
the heart is not strong enough to pull it back up. If enough blood collects in the legs,
you will faint.
When someone falls in a harness, a dangerous situation can occur, especially if the victim
becomes injured and unable to move or the individual is left suspended for a long period of
time. Blood will begin to pool in the legs and sometimes, in less than five minutes, the victim
can faint. The situation becomes further complicated as the harness webbing around the
legs can restrict the flow of blood altogether by cutting flow off of the femoral artery.
Depending on the physical conditioning of the victim; secondary injuries, general cardiovascular
health, initial sizing and fit testing of the harness and adjustments, the victim could
reach a critical situation in five to fifteen minutes. This is why it is particularly important to
train workers on how to wear a harness and properly fit a harness. Not wearing a harness
correctly can create a greater risk of injury.
