Rescue and Evacuation Procedures

Interpreted Requirements

Templates, Examples

§          The employer shall provide prompt rescue to all fallen authorized persons.

§          Rescue and evacuation procedures shall be prepared and maintained for all instances where authorized persons work at heights.  Such procedures shall contain provisions for the prompt rescue or self-rescue of any authorized persons who fall.

§          Summoning Professional Rescue Services -

o         The employer shall:

·          Review the qualifications of the rescue agency,

·          Determine whether or not, or in what circumstances, the agency can be relied upon to perform a prompt and safe rescue.

·          Post written procedures for summoning the rescue agency, as well as any special instructions or circumstances, after the employer is satisfied that the above requirements have been met and prior to beginning work activities,

·          Contact the rescue agency to review the work before work activities begin,

·          Review with the agency the types of fall protection being used and the environment where they may be called to perform a rescue.

o         The rescue agency shall:

·          Advise the employer, in writing, of its availability and capability, any limitations on the types of rescue it can perform,

·          Provide detailed instructions regarding how they are to be called,

·          If they need to be advised when certain activities are planned or certain conditions exist so that they may ensure the fastest possible response,

·          Develop its own strategies and procedures for dealing with all anticipated circumstances where a rescue may need to be performed.

Rescue and Evacuation Procedures

Interpreted Requirements

Templates, Examples

§          The employer shall provide prompt rescue to all fallen authorized persons.

§          Rescue and evacuation procedures shall be prepared and maintained for all instances where authorized persons work at heights.  Such procedures shall contain provisions for the prompt rescue or self-rescue of any authorized persons who fall.

§          In-House Rescue Services - where outside rescue agencies cannot be relied upon to promptly respond to rescue a fallen authorized person, the employer shall train its own employees, or a selected group of employees, to safely and promptly rescue a fallen authorized person.  The rescue procedures shall include:

o         Required training and other qualifications of the rescue team members, including specified intervals for retraining and practice of their skills.

o         Procedures for contacting the rescue team, and any necessary requirements about where the rescue team shall be during the workplace activity so that they can respond promptly.

o         A description of all equipment to be used by the rescue team, specifying the applicable manufacturers, standard, and/or drawings.

o         Complete instructions for performing the rescue safely and promptly.

Link to More Information

Rescue and Evacuation Procedures

Interpreted Requirements

Templates, Examples

§          The employer shall provide prompt rescue to all fallen authorized persons.

§          Rescue and evacuation procedures shall be prepared and maintained for all instances where authorized persons work at heights.  Such procedures shall contain provisions for the prompt rescue or self-rescue of any authorized persons who fall.

§          Evacuation Procedures.  Evacuation procedures are required if the work location has limited means of emergency egress.  Written procedures are required when authorized persons are using an active fall protection system.  The procedures shall outline the routes or techniques to be used in the event of an emergency evacuation including:

o         Required training and other qualifications of people who may use the evacuation system, including specified intervals for retraining and for practice of their skills.

o         A description of any applicable equipment to be used for the evacuation, specifying the applicable manufacturers, standard, and/or drawings.

o         If required, any applicable evacuation equipment shall be pre-rigged and ready for immediate use.

o         Complete instructions for emergency egress from the work platform.

o         If required, a description of how the equipment or system(s) are to be taken down, inspected, serviced, and stored after the evacuation is completed.