S-2.1, r. 14 - Regulation respecting occupational health and safety in mines

Section 401.1 Disposition versions

2023-02-16

401.1. Notwithstanding section 401, the rappelling technique for accessing a working face or wall may be used where the methods provided for in section 401 are not technically feasible or constitute a hazard.

Where that technique is used:

(1)  a worker at a working face or wall shall be protected against falls by a fall-arresting device, which shall:

(a)  be independent of the rappelling system;

(b)  be a Type 1, Class A self-retracting life line complying with CAN/CSA Standard Z259.2.2, Self-retracting devices, or fall arrester and comply with CSA Standard Z259.2.5, Fall-arresting devices and vertical lifelines, or CSA Standard Z259.2.4, Fall arresters and vertical rigid rails;

(c)  be connected to the fall arrest attachment ring which identified for fall arrest on the safety harness;

(2)  the life line shall:

(a)   comply with CSA Standard Z259.2.5, Fall-arresting devices and vertical lifelines, or CSA Standard Z259.2.4, Fall arresters and vertical rigid rails;

(b)  be of a diameter and construction in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer of the fall-arresting device;

(c)  be less than 90 m (300 ft) in length;

(3)  the rope of the rappelling system shall:

(a)  be made of synthetic fibre;

(b)  have a breaking strength of at least 40 kN (9,000 lb);

(c)  be long enough to reach a safe landing;

(d)  not be extended by attaching other ropes;

(e)  be less than 90 m (300 ft) in length;

(4)  the rope of the rappelling system or life line shall be fixed to 2 anchors each having a breaking strength of at least 18 kN (4,000 lb). The anchors for the rope of the rappelling system shall be independent of the anchors of the life line;

(5)  except where protected by a sheath, the rope of a rappelling system or life line shall never come into contact with any sharp edge;

(6)  the carabiners, lowering devices and other rappelling hardware shall be made from drop-forged steel or a material of equivalent quality and shall have a breaking strength of at least 22 kN (5,000 lb);

(7)  a worker shall use a safety harness complying with the CAN/CSA Standard Z259.10, Full body harnesses;

(8)  no person shall descend a working face or wall where wind velocity is greater than 50 km/h (31 mph);

(9)  no person shall be at the working face or wall during a thunderstorm or heavy rain;

(10)  following a thunderstorm or heavy rain, a worker shall wait at least 1 hour before descending a working face or wall;

(11)  a means for emergency evacuation shall:

(a)  be available to workers at a working face or wall;

(b)  be independent of the rappelling system and the fall-arresting device;

(c)  allow for fast and safe evacuation of a worker in difficulty on a working face or wall;

(12)  all damaged material connected with the use of the rappelling technique shall be discarded;

(13)  as long as a worker is at a working face or wall, a person having been trained in the rappelling technique shall be present beyond the working face or wall and shall be located in such a way as to see the worker and be able to watch over him and communicate with him. Where he is unable to communicate by speaking directly to the worker, a radiotelephone communication system shall be used;

(14)  no worker shall use the rappelling technique to access a working face or wall unless he has the skills, knowledge and training required for the working method developed by his employer, in accordance with paragraph 3 of section 78 of the Act respecting occupational health and safety (chapter S-2.1).

O.C. 1326-95, s. 76; O.C. 80-2023, s. 19.

2012-09-01

401.1. Notwithstanding section 401, the rappelling technique for accessing a working face or wall may be used where the methods provided for in section 401 are not technically feasible or constitute a hazard.

Where that technique is used:

(1)  a worker at a working face or wall shall be protected against falls by a fall-arresting device, which shall:

(a)  be independent of the rappelling system;

(b)  be a Type 1, Class A self-retracting life line or fall arrester and comply with CSA Standard Z259.2-M1979 Fall-Arresting Devices, Personnel Lowering Devices and Life Lines;

(c)  be connected to the fall arrest attachment ring which identified for fall arrest on the safety harness;

(2)  the life line shall:

(a)   comply with CSA Standard Z259.2-M1979 Fall-Arresting Devices, Personnel Lowering Devices and Life Lines;

(b)  be of a diameter and construction in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer of the fall-arresting device;

(c)  be less than 90 m (300 ft) in length;

(3)  the rope of the rappelling system shall:

(a)  be made of synthetic fibre;

(b)  have a breaking strength of at least 40 kN (9,000 lb);

(c)  be long enough to reach a safe landing;

(d)  not be extended by attaching other ropes;

(e)  be less than 90 m (300 ft) in length;

(4)  the rope of the rappelling system or life line shall be fixed to 2 anchors each having a breaking strength of at least 18 kN (4,000 lb). The anchors for the rope of the rappelling system shall be independent of the anchors of the life line;

(5)  except where protected by a sheath, the rope of a rappelling system or life line shall never come into contact with any sharp edge;

(6)  the carabiners, lowering devices and other rappelling hardware shall be made from drop-forged steel or a material of equivalent quality and shall have a breaking strength of at least 22 kN (5,000 lb);

(7)  a worker shall use a Group AD or AP safety harness complying with the CAN/CSA Standard Z259.10-M90 Full Body Harnesses;

(8)  no person shall descend a working face or wall where wind velocity is greater than 50 km/h (31 mph);

(9)  no person shall be at the working face or wall during a thunderstorm or heavy rain;

(10)  following a thunderstorm or heavy rain, a worker shall wait at least 1 hour before descending a working face or wall;

(11)  a means for emergency evacuation shall:

(a)  be available to workers at a working face or wall;

(b)  be independent of the rappelling system and the fall-arresting device;

(c)  allow for fast and safe evacuation of a worker in difficulty on a working face or wall;

(12)  all damaged material connected with the use of the rappelling technique shall be discarded;

(13)  as long as a worker is at a working face or wall, a person having been trained in the rappelling technique shall be present beyond the working face or wall and shall be located in such a way as to see the worker and be able to watch over him and communicate with him. Where he is unable to communicate by speaking directly to the worker, a radiotelephone communication system shall be used;

(14)  no worker shall use the rappelling technique to access a working face or wall unless he has the skills, knowledge and training required for the working method developed by his employer, in accordance with paragraph 3 of section 78 of the Act respecting occupational health and safety (chapter S-2.1).

O.C. 1326-95, s. 76.