Fall Rescue Plan

Like other forms of emergency planning, it is essential that everyone understands their role and what they must do after a fall. Leaving a worker suspended for a long period of time can be dangerous to their health and safety.

Before any use of a fall arrest system or a safety net by a worker at a project, the employer must develop written procedures for rescuing the worker after his or her fall has been arrested. [O. Reg. 213/91, s.26.1(4)]

Employers

Employers must create a rescue plan that is specific to the jobsite and that covers the different types of fall-related rescues that may be necessary. The plan should cover:

the on-site equipment that you will use,
the personnel who will use it, and
the procedures for different types of rescue.

Any off-site rescue services that might be needed should be contacted in advance to make sure that they have the proper resources available (equipment, specially trained personnel, etc.).

A rescue plan will detail how to return fallen workers to a place of safety while keeping rescuers safe. Designated rescuers must be adequately trained and have easy access to all the equipment they need to effectively rescue others safely and as quickly as possible.

A rescue plan should:

Be written and posted before work begins.
Designate, educate, and train those who will conduct the rescue.
Identify on-site first aid personnel and include all contact information.
List the first aid equipment that must be on site.
Provide contact information for local emergency medical and fire services, if needed.
Identify all emergency exits and access routes within the worksite.
Identify all available systems of communication. Make sure there is a backup system for the primary mode of communication.
Include procedures for rescue, including rope rescue, retrieval lines, location of anchor points, etc.
Include procedures for using any powered mobile equipment, mechanical hoisting systems or elevating devices that may be required during the rescue.
Detail procedures necessary to clear and secure work areas while they remain unsafe or if any ongoing work would obstruct a rescue.
Educate and train workers performing work at height so they understand what they must do after a fall and during a rescue operation.
Be reviewed and amended on a regular schedule, after relevant changes to the worksite, and after all rescues or related incidents.

Workers

Workers must make sure they are familiar with the fall rescue plan if they are using fall protection equipment.

Construction Projects

O. Reg. 213/91

Part II GENERAL CONSTRUCTION

Section 26.1

26.1 (1) A worker shall be adequately protected by a guardrail system that meets the requirements of subsections 26.3(2) to (8).

(2) Despite subsection (1), if it is not practicable to install a guardrail system as that subsection requires, a worker shall be adequately protected by the highest ranked method that is practicable from the following ranking of fall protection methods:

1. A travel restraint system that meets the requirements of section 26.4.

2. A fall restricting system that meets the requirements of section 26.5.

3. A fall arrest system, other than a fall restricting system designed for use in wood pole climbing, that meets the requirements of section 26.6.

4. A safety net that meets the requirements of section 26.8.

(3) The components of any system listed in subsection (2) shall be designed by an engineer in accordance with good engineering practice, and shall meet the requirements of any of the following National Standards of Canada standards that are applicable:

1. CAN/CSA-Z259.1-05 : Body Belts and Saddles for Work Positioning and Travel Restraint.

2. CAN/CSA-Z259.2.5-12 : Fall Arresters and Vertical Lifelines

3. CAN/CSA-Z259.2.2-98 (R2004) : Self-Retracting Devices for Personal Fall-Arrest Systems.

4. CAN/CSA-Z259.2.3-99 (R2004) : Descent Control Devices.

5. CAN/CSA-Z259.10-06 : Full Body Harnesses.

6. CAN/CSA-Z259.11-05 : Energy Absorbers and Lanyards.

7. CAN/CSA-Z259.12-01 (R2006) : Connecting Components for Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS).

8. CAN/CSA-Z259.14-01 (R2007) : Fall Restrict Equipment for Wood Pole Climbing.

(4) Before any use of a fall arrest system or a safety net by a worker at a project, the worker's employer shall develop written procedures for rescuing the worker after his or her fall has been arrested.

[O. Reg. 145/00, s. 12; 85/04, s. 5; 443/09, s. 1; 345/15, s. 5; 375/22, s. 5]

Fall Rescue Plan

Construction Projects

Part II GENERAL CONSTRUCTION

Section 26.1

CCOHS Resources

IHSA Resources

Fall Rescue Plan

Summary

Legislation

Construction Projects

Part II GENERAL CONSTRUCTION

Section 26.1

Resources

CCOHS Resources

IHSA Resources