Medway Access & Rescue provided safety and rescue cover for operatives working on the roof at Now Construction’s site in Gravesend. Until we were appointed, there was no rescue plan in place for people working on the roof.
Support Services Provider: Medway Access & Rescue
Client: Now Construction Ltd
Services Provided: Rope access rescue standby, safe roof access system, enhanced first aid cover
Project Location: Gravesend, Kent, UK
Sector: Construction
Objectives:
Provide a safe, controlled means of access to and from the roof.
Put an effective, site-specific rescue plan in place so that any operative could be recovered quickly.
Provide enhanced first aid capability on site for the whole of the works.
Support Now Construction in meeting its duty of care and its compliance obligations.
Project Overview
Medway Access & Rescue provided safety and rescue cover for operatives working on the roof at Now Construction’s site in Gravesend. Until we were appointed, there was no rescue plan in place for people working on the roof.
Now Construction wanted to look after its workers properly, both because it is the right thing to do and because the Work at Height Regulations 2005 require emergency and rescue arrangements to be planned in advance. We rigged a safe access system for the operatives and kept a comprehensive rescue package on standby, including enhanced first aid capability within our own team, so that help was on the roof in moments if anything went wrong.
Equipment and Resources Involved
The cover was built around three elements:
Safe access system: temporary anchor point installed above access hatch with ropes rigged for rescue for rapid deployment.
Rescue package: twin-rope system with hauling and lowering capabilities pre-rigged, kept ready for immediate use.
Enhanced first aid: FREC 4 with trauma and AED equipment carried by the Medway team.
Roof details: Flat roof with parapet walls and collective protection where required.
Risk Assessment and Controls
The key hazards were assessed in the project risk assessment and reduced to an acceptable level through the controls below.
| Activity | Hazard | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working on the roof | Fall from height | 10 | Safe access system rigged by competent rope access technicians; access and egress controlled | 5 |
| Casualty on the roof | Delayed rescue, suspension or injury | 20 | Site-specific rescue plan; rescue team and kit on standby throughout; rescue method not dependent on a single piece of equipment | 8 |
| Medical emergency | Injury or illness needing immediate treatment | 20 | Enhanced first aid capability within the Medway team; AED locations confirmed on site; muster point agreed | 8 |
| Emergency response | Poor communication or delayed access for emergency services | 15 | Briefing before each shift; muster point confirmed. | 5 |
Methodology
The work followed a documented method statement and rescue plan, reviewed with Now Construction before work began.
Planning and documentation: a full pack (risk assessment, method statement, rescue plan, equipment record and daily log) was prepared and revised in line with the client’s review comments.
Site setup: the safe access system was rigged and inspected before any operative went onto the roof.
Rescue readiness: rescue equipment was checked and positioned, and the rescue team stood ready for the full duration of the works.
Briefing: the muster point and AED locations were confirmed with the site, and the team briefed operatives on emergency arrangements before each shift.
Standby cover: our team provided continuous rescue and first aid cover while operatives were on the roof, with a daily log kept of activity.
Close-out: equipment was inspected and stood down, and the works were debriefed with the client.
Outcomes and Compliance
Works completed on 22-26 June 2026 without incident.
For the first time, operatives on this roof had a documented, resourced rescue plan behind them.
23 operatives covered / 5 days of cover.
Compliance was maintained with:
Work at Height Regulations 2005
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) for rescue and access equipment
IRATA International Code of Practice (ICOP)
Conclusion
This project shows what proper rescue planning looks like in practice. By putting a safe access system and a fully resourced rescue and first aid capability in place, Medway Access & Rescue gave Now Construction’s operatives the protection they should always have had, and gave the client the confidence of knowing it was meeting its obligations.
Need rescue cover for your work at height?
Don’t leave rescue to chance. Talk to Medway Access & Rescue about a rescue plan and standby cover for your site.