Are you Authorized to Rescue? ANSI Z359 Standard Knows Best…

As the number of workplace falls increase for industrial and construction facilities, more and more employers are beginning to install fall protection systems. It’s wonderful that employers are taking the time to consider the safety of their employees, but it is important for everyone to consider all elements of the fall protection system before workers begin using the systems. Often times, most employers will teach a worker how to use the system, but they will not think about the logistics of rescuing the worker after a fall event has occurred. The fall rescue is equally as important as the fall arrest. And this is why it’s important to know the logistics of how employers determine who will be an authorized rescuer.

In ANSI Z359 Standard (Section 2), there are definitions regarding different terms that pertain to fall protection. There are several different definitions that discuss the various roles of rescuers and their qualifications for retrieving people after a fall. The Authorized Rescuer is defined as, “A person assigned by the employer to perform rescue from fall protection.” This straightforward definition does not establish any specific training that people need to have in order to rescue someone from a fall protection system, but it does establish that this rescuer needs to be selected by the employer.

Employers who want rescue personnel with more experience and education in fall rescue would probably consider hiring a Competent Rescuer. ANSI Z359 Standard defines a Competent Rescuer 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“. A Competent Rescuer is different from an Authorized Rescuer because they have more education and experience with situations regarding fall rescue. A Competent Rescuer also has more responsibility because they are expected to decide when to implement fall rescue at a facility or jobsite. To be brief, the Competent Rescuer manages all facets of the fall rescue program to make sure that everything is implemented smoothly in the event of a fall.

Often times, people who have experience in fall rescue could officially be titled as either a Competent Rescuer or a Competent Rescue Trainer. This is because ANSI Z359 Standard defines a Competent Rescue Trainer in a manner that is very similar to that of a Competent Rescuer. The official definition for a Competent Rescue Trainer is, “An individual who by training, knowledge, and experience specific to fall protection rescue is capable of conducting rescue training.” Although the level of experience with fall protection is the same, the responsibilities of each title are very different.

The Competent Rescuer needs to have a thorough understanding of everyone who will be involved with a fall rescue at a facility or on a jobsite. But the Competent Rescue Trainer will need to have a complete understanding of the different methods that can be used for rescuing someone in a variety of circumstances. With each title, the person will need to have enough experience and knowledge about fall rescue to either manage or train people in regards to fall rescue.

Holistically, ANSI Z359 Standard offers an all-purpose definition of a Rescuer in this section of the standards. The Rescuer is defined as, “A person or persons who other than the rescue subject acting to perform an assisted rescue by operation of a rescue system.” In its most basic form, a Rescuer could be anyone who is asked to participate on a rescue team thanks to the brains and/or brawn that they could add to a rescue. In some instances, the Competent Rescuer may decide to implement a Rescue System. Under the ANSI Z359 Standards, a Rescue System is defined as, “An assembly of components and subsystems used for rescue.” It’s a broad definition for a broad term. Essentially, any tool that is used for rescuing someone from a fall protection system could be considered a Rescue System.

Hopefully, this blog was able to give you a better idea of the different roles and responsibilities of the various types of rescue personnel who can assist your employees after a fall event has occurred. If you have any other questions about the authorizations or expectations of different rescuers at a facility or jobsite, please leave your question below and we will gladly help you.

Stay Safe!

Hannah Addison