G.R.I (Industrial Rescue Group)

The G.R.I. or Industrial Rescue Group is a group of people, methods and means, whose main objectives are the rescue of people in case of an accident and the active emphasis on the prevention of accidents. The action field of this group covers high risk works in the civil and industrial sector.

The G.R.I. comes up from VertiSub’s concern of finding a solution for a case of accident in a work. An accident in a work is an unforeseen situation, and just for this sudden and not planned feature it is normally not taken into account for the companies. The first performances of the rescue group in Spain date back to 2003.

The G.R.I. methodology, and the profile of its experts have been designed considering the highest requirements to be able to respond to any possible personal accidents, indispositions or trappings in evacuation-restricted areas like confined and flooded spaces or dangerous atmospheres. The team is composed by three technicians (or depending on the work another number multiple of 3) experts on rescues.

The G.R.I. is specially focused on industrial turnarounds and major works. Specially those, that involve not only a potential risk on the tasks to be carried out, but also the different companies taking part.

The main objective is the rescue of the target people minimizing the consequences. This is reached by different ways:

• Inspecting, studying, giving solution and controlling the rescue possibilities in the existing risky spaces or restricted evacuation areas.
• In case of an accident, the G.R.I. will able to carry out a first aid intervention and a cardio respiratory resuscitation to the injured.

Another objective is to avoid accidents. This can be reached by different ways:

• Giving solutions to the access, maneuverability and safety problems before starting the turnaround and during the works.
• Installing temporary fall prevention devices.
• Planning a coordinated collaboration with the emergency services of the contracting company.
• Carrying out emergency drills considering the highest level of difficulty.
• Checking the rescue procedures of third companies.

The G.R.I. is therefore a tool for the company. It contributes to minimize any risk in the company management, favor the continuous improvement of its inner procedures and safety conditions. This can be realized by means of reports and recommendations, previous, during and after the industrial turnaround.