Guideline No. 6: Rescue plan

Individual safety plans for specific activities should incorporate, but are not limited to, rescue plans or emergency plans and general safety procedures, as required by the work. Such safety plans should also incorporate any corporate safety policies and procedures. Safety plans are to be reviewed at daily safety meetings and at all workplace locations, whether departmental or on set. The overall plan should be amended daily or as required, to allow for changes in venue, locations and personnel

Section 17 of O. Reg. 213/91 (Construction Regulations) imposes on obligation on a constructor to have written emergency procedures as well as other obligations.Section 26.1(4) imposes an obligation on the employer to have written procedures before use of fall arrest or safety net for rescuing a worker after a fall has been arrested.

Note: The items suggested in the rescue plan below are not comprehensive and do not relieve the workplace parties of their obligation under the OHSA .

A rescue plan should:

  1. Identify the designated trained person(s) in charge of rescue.
  2. Identify qualified on-site first aid personnel and the location of first aid and safety equipment, as required under the (Regulation for First Aid Requirements Reg. 1101). Crew members who have First Aid/ CPR Certification and the nurse or paramedic on set and their location, should also be identified.
  3. Ensure all equipment to be used in the event of a rescue is inspected and available at the work location for the rescue.
  4. Identify the names and contact phone numbers of Emergency Medical Services ( EMS ) resources in the jurisdiction. For example, if needed, who would perform high angle rescue ( e.g . fire department) and identify special skilled technicians and personnel.
  5. Outline Emergency Services access, including meeting area to ensure evacuation from the worksite and nearest hospital. This outline must include cast and crew evacuation routes etc.
  6. Include a viable pre-designated system of secondary communication. This may include hand signals, contact information i.e. cell phone numbers, alarm, alarm codes, etc .
  7. Be developed where the work involves mobile elevated working platforms, stunts, rigging, etc. This plan must be communicated, posted on site and reviewed. This plan should include all operating manuals for equipment and rescue or emergency control procedures for any mechanical hoisting systems or elevating devices being used in the workplace. This includes planning all rigging systems.
  8. Provide, where possible, annual rehearsal and review of any upgraded or amended procedures. In addition, any systems on location or site facilities (sprinkler systems, alarms and other devices, etc .) should be identified. This would typically apply to longer studio shoots such as TV series.
  9. Include procedures to lock-out and secure activated devices (as required by s. 76 of Reg. 851 – Industrial Regulations) and/or compromised work areas such as any location with identifiable risks (working alone, working with pyrotechnics).