503 EM 385-1-1 Sections 20-26

21.C.06 Competent Rescuer.

21.C.07 Authorized Rescuer.

The Authorized Rescuer must be trained by a Competent Rescuer (see ANSI/ASSP Z359.2). The training must:

1. Be received before exposure to a fall hazard or a potential rescue event;
2. Include practical demonstrations on how to properly select, inspect, anchor, assemble, disassemble, store and use the fall protection and rescue equipment used.
3. Include and demonstrate before-use inspection of rescue equipment and systems.
4. For USACE-owned/operated permanent facilities, the refresher training for authorized rescuers must be provided a minimum of one (1) hour annually to stay current with fall protection and rescue requirements.

21.C.08 Documentation.

Training and evaluations for fall protection and rescue training must be documented and retained for the current and previous training program and must include: trainer/evaluator's name, student's name, training or evaluation organization's name (if external), dates/times of training and evaluations, course objectives, content of training program, performance of student based on observation of physical demonstrations of skill or on exercises.

21.D Fall Protection Program.

21.D.01 If a Contractor will have personnel working at heights and/or exposed to fall hazards, a Fall Protection and Prevention Plan must be developed and submitted to the GDA for review and acceptance as part of their Accident Prevention Plan (APP). This plan may be developed by either the CP or QP. If the plan includes fall protection components or systems requiring direction, supervision, design calculations or drawings by a QP, the name, qualifications and responsibilities of the QP must be addressed. It must describe, in detail, the specific practices, equipment and control methods used to protect workers from falling to lower levels. This plan must be updated as conditions change, at least every six months and must include:

1. Duties and responsibilities. Identify Cps and QPs and their responsibilities and qualifications;
2. Description of the project or task performed;
3. Training requirements to include safe use of fall protection equipment;
4. Anticipated hazards and fall hazard prevention and control;
5. Rescue plan and procedures;
6. Design of anchorages/fall arrest and horizontal lifeline systems:
• (1) It is realized that the provision of fall protection for the first person up for establishing anchorages ONLY would be difficult. In this situation, fall protection may not be required. After anchorages are installed, fall protection is required.
• (2) The contractor must identify all locations where anchorages need to be established, and detail in the Fall Protection and Prevention Plan and AHA how work will be performed safely.
7. Inspection, maintenance and storage of fall protection equipment;
8. Incident investigation procedures;
9. Evaluation of program effectiveness, and
10. Inspection and oversight methods employed.

21.D.02 Each Government-owned facility must develop a written Fall Protection Program if they have personnel working at heights. The facility must also develop a Site Specific Fall Protection and Prevention Plan and conduct a fall hazard survey, prepare survey report at existing buildings or structures, and comply with the program elements and requirements as identified in this section.

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