What Are They?

“EDD” stands for “Emergency Descent Device”. It’s an item fitted to the side of a truck or EWP for the purpose of escaping from machinery in an emergency. This could be when the machine can’t be lowered via override switches/relief valves or it might be stuck in trees or powerlines.

The Emergency Descent Device sits in a box outside of the basket of an EWP (Elevated Work Platform). The EDD mechanism comes out once the box is opened. To use it you need to attach it to your harness, engage the lanyard connected to your basket, climb over the side then let yourself down.

Emergency Descent Devices can also be used on Order Picking forklifts and Side Loader forklifts that have a lift height usage of 10 or 11m in certain warehouses. When these types of forklifts are unable to retract their forks or the forklift breaks down, the operator is able to escape from height.

EDD’s are sometimes also known as a Control Descent Devices or CDD’s. It’s the same equipment used to escape from height. The change in name just reflects the language used in different industries.

Using An Emergency Descent Device

The picture sequence on the right clearly shows the steps involved to initiate an escape from height using an EDD. Note that operators should receive the appropriate training  to use an Emergency Descent Device before operating machinery in an elevated position.