Background

Firefighters work at heights using aerial ladders, aerial platforms and other similar elevating devices.

Concerns/hazards

Firefighters are at risk of falling when working at heights.

Actions for employers

Employers should:

  • conduct a risk assessment of fall hazards
  • develop appropriate measures and procedures for minimizing and controlling the risks

Guardrail systems

A guardrail system should completely enclose the open sides of an elevated work surface to protect workers from falling. These systems may consist of a top-rail, a mid-rail (or equivalent) and a toeboard. As a best practice, the top-rail should resist a point load of 675 Newtons (N) laterally and 450 N vertically, the mid-rail 450 N laterally and vertically, and the toe-board 225 N laterally.

Guardrail systems may not enclose the entire perimeter of the aerial platform and turntable due to access needs from the ladder and openings for access gates. Handrails on aerial ladders are positioned on the sides of the ladder. Additional safety measures may be required to ensure the protection of firefighters.

Travel-restraint systems

A travel-restraint system consists of:

  • a full-body harness or belt
  • an anchor point
  • a short lanyard
  • an attachment hook or carabineer as appropriate to the situation

Travel-restraint systems limit firefighters from approaching the danger zone where they may fall from the apparatus, by keeping them within a protected area, such as the confines of the guardrail of an aerial platform.

Travel-restraint systems may be appropriate for use on aerial platforms and are intended to prevent firefighters from falling by limiting mobility while “clipped in”. Firefighters may use an adequate lanyard as appropriate to permit movement within the confines of the guardrail. However, the lanyard should not be longer than necessary for that purpose.

Travel-restraint systems are not suitable for use on an aerial ladder where firefighters must be more restricted to prevent a fall. A ladder belt with a closely attached ladder hook should be used; this is called a work positioning device.

Anchor points should be adequately engineered and properly located by the manufacturer for the purpose in which it is being used. Anchor points for travel-restraint systems should be capable of supporting a static force of at least 2 kilonewtons.

Fall-restricting systems

A fall-restricting system consists of:

  • a full-body harness
  • an anchor point
  • a short lanyard
  • an attachment hook or carabineer as appropriate to the situation

Fall restricting systems are intended to limit a fall to 0.6 metres or less.

Fall-restricting systems might be appropriate for use on aerial ladders and aerial platforms by limiting the fall distance.

Anchor points should be adequately engineered and properly located by the manufacturer, for the purpose in which it is being used. Anchor points for fall-restricting systems should be capable of supporting a static force of at least 8 kilonewtons.

The aerial design should be capable of absorbing the dynamic forces of stopping a falling firefighter, which will be several times that of the anchor point’s required static strength.

Since aerial apparatus are not normally designed to resist the loads imposed by a fall-restricting system, employers should consider the use of a properly engineered travel-restraint system to safeguard firefighters from a fall.

Fall-arrest systems

A fall-arrest system consists of:

  • a full-body harness
  • an anchor point
  • a lanyard equipped with a shock absorbing device
  • an attachment hook or carabineer as appropriate to the situation

A fall-arrest system should not allow impact with the ground or any other object. It should not impose more than a 8 kilonewton arresting force.

Fall-arrest systems may be appropriate for use on aerial ladders and aerial platforms.

Anchor points should be adequately engineered and properly located by the manufacturer, for the purpose in which it is being used. Anchor points for fall-arrest systems described here should be capable of supporting a static force of at least 8 kilonewtons.

The aerial design should be capable of absorbing the dynamic forces of stopping a falling firefighter, which will be several times that of the anchor point’s required static strength.

Since firefighting aerial apparatus are not normally designed to resist the loads imposed by a fall-arrest system, employers should consider the use of a properly engineered travel-restraint system to safeguard firefighters from a fall.

Where fall arrest systems are used, consider developing procedures for rescuing the worker after his or her fall has been arrested.

Fall protection system compatibility

Employers should give consideration to aerial device load requirements during the specification, design and approval stages of the procurement process, especially as it applies to fall protection. Employers should ensure that fall protection requirements are fully understood by the aerial manufacturer and that the manufacturer provides clear information on the acceptable load ratings of the aerial device, the fall protection anchor points, and the fall protection system type that the apparatus has been designed for.

Employers should:

  • ensure that engineered anchor points on all aerial apparatus are suitable for the purpose
  • clearly identify the use of the anchor points, for travel-restraint, fall-restricting or fall-arrest
  • provide fall protection system equipment that is consistent with the intended use of the aerial device anchor points

Employers should evaluate existing aerial devices to determine if they are compliant with the design requirements for the fall protection system in use. This evaluation should include:

  • the identification of engineered anchor points
  • the adequate design of those anchor points
  • the ability of the aerial device to resist loads imposed by the fall protection system being used

Employers should consult with their aerial apparatus manufacturer or a qualified engineer to determine the adequacy of anchor points and aerial design for fall protection.

Employers should ensure that the selected life safety harness or ladder belt does not adversely interfere with the use or operation of personal protective equipment such as self-contained breathing apparatus or bunker gear being used by the firefighter on the aerial device.

All components of the fall arrest system must be compatible with each other. Combining components that are not compatible may affect the adequacy of the system, which could result in life threatening injuries.

Applicable regulations and acts

Read:

  • Occupational Health and Safety Act
    • clause 25(2)(a) for providing information and instruction to a worker
    • clause 25(2)(d) for making workers aware of hazards
    • clause 25(2)(h) for taking every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect workers

Applicable standards

For standards on life safety rope and associated equipment used to support emergency services personnel during rescue, fire fighting, other emergency operations, or training, read NFPA Standard 1983 Standard on life safety rope and equipment for emergency services

For standards about new fire apparatus, read NFPA Standard 1901 Standard for automotive fire apparatus

For performance standards for aerial devices, read CAN/ULC-S515 Standard for automobile fire fighting apparatus

Related

Read firefighter guidance notes: