ANSI Z359.2: Training for Authorized Rescuer vs. Competent Rescuer

ANSI/ASSE officially defines an Authorized Rescuer as, “A person assigned by the employer to perform fall protection rescue.” An Authorized Rescuer requires slightly less training than a Competent Rescuer, however, both titles require basic training in order to understand basic fall protection safety and rescue techniques.

The core of an Authorized Rescuer’s training is based upon several different criteria. First and foremost, the training must be conducted by a Competent Rescue Trainer. The training will include physical demonstrations for how to inspect equipment, anchor and assemble the equipment properly, and use the equipment in their common working areas.

Once the general instructions have been completed, rescue training includes how to recognize fall hazards, eliminate them, and control them. Situational fall protection and rescue regulations according to OSHA and ANSI are other critical components to properly training rescuers. They will also need to know their responsibilities under ANSI.

And, the final two elements of a comprehensive Authorized Rescuer training course are as follows: interpreting written fall protection and rescue procedures and properly inspecting equipment components and systems before each use.

Authorized Rescuers need to be trained every two years. If changes are made to the requirements of a position, a worksite changes location dramatically, or rescue methods change (making the old method irrelevant), then, a rescuer will need to undergo training again. This ensures that the worker can meet the standards of the new location and job requirements.

A Competent Rescuer is defined by ANSI as, “An individual designated by the employer who, by training, knowledge, and experience is capable of the implementation, supervision, and monitoring of the employer’s fall protection rescue program.”

Competent Rescuer’s are required to be trained annually by a Competent Rescue Trainer. In addition to following the training for an Authorized Rescuer, the Competent Rescuer needs to take some extra courses. Training needs to include demonstrations about fall protection equipment in regards to how to select and inspect the equipment. Then, rescue trainers need to learn to anchor, assemble, and use the fall protection and rescue equipment where they will be needed at the worksite.

Competent rescue training will cover information about all types of rescue equipment and hazardous locations. Pre-use inspection, installation, and component compatibility are all important elements that need to be understood about rescue systems. Rescuers will also need to learn about descent control, secondary systems, patient packaging methods, dismantling techniques, proper storage of equipment, selection and use of fall protection anchors, and the common hazards that pertain to the system and components.

Once workers have learned about how to use, install, and maintain the rescue equipment, they need to learn how to perform detailed inspection and documentation of the components of the rescue equipment and systems. They will also learn how to evaluate a system to determine if it is reliable for use. And finally, a Competent Rescuer will develop written fall rescue procedures for their workplace.

This may seem like a lot of information to learn about a proper rescue plan. However, Authorized and Competent Rescuers will need training in all of these subjects in order to be properly prepared to perform a fall rescue. Proper training ensures that rescuers are prepared to handle almost any situation that they may encounter after a fall event has occurred.

In order to reduce the chances of suspension trauma, it is often wise to have on-site workers trained in fall rescue. Having an on-site rescue team allows for almost immediate assistance for a fallen worker, but local fire companies and police departments can also be effective in assisting with a fall rescue. Regardless of who performs the rescue, the most important concept is to ensure that the rescue team has been properly trained according to ANSI Z359.2 standards.