Posted: Mar 01 '13

Rope Rescue Training Courses

What is the required topics in a rope rescue training course? To answer the questions, lets start in the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code Part 7 Section 117

Rescue and evacuation workers

117(1) The employer must list the workers responsible for the rescue.

117(2) The listed workers must be trained in emergency response appropriate to that specific worksite/work activity, and any potential emergencies that can arise. For example, workers in the drilling industry are often trained in H2S response and Blow out prevention, however a small percentage receive training on fall rescue, even though, working at height is a big part of their task.

117(3) The training course, must be more than a table top exercise, or reading through the emergency response plan. Workers must actually use the rescue equipment, for example training drills with confined space rescue equipment and fall rescue equipment are required.

117(4) The exercise must be practised regularly so workers are competent. Component means that the skills can be conducted by the workers safely/properly, and with no coaching or supervision. OHS does not specify a time period for practising, they leave this us to the employer, or an industry association that the employer belongs to. For example, the surface mining companies in western Canada hold a Mine rescue competition each year, this is a motivator for the workers to practise, and it ensures a full annual practise. Essentially the timing for practise sessions, come down to the experience level of the workers, and how complex the rescue and equipment for rescue will be.