With the implementation of part 34 and the acceptance of internationally recognized standards for rope access, the outmoded form of access known as "bosun's chair", governed by Worksafe BC Part 13, requires review and updating. Part 13 must be updated to bring it in line with modern safety standards recognized throughout the rest of the world.
Updates
May 29, 2015
I really never thought this would gain this much steam (honestly I was just venting out of frustration at the job site) but here we are and it feels like people are finally seeing how outdated these regulations actually are. It is honestly kind of surreal seeing how many of you have dealt with these same exact safety issues while swinging in a chair that belongs in a museum.
Reached 100 supporters
May 29, 2015
40 Comments
This regulation is a little grey cloud in the rope world, allowing employers to dodge safety requirements, the regulation as it stands does not do anything in terms of keeping our workers safe. Why do you think all of the high rise companies have been using SPRAT for years in BC? Chair guys are cowboys and employers know how dangerous of a threat they are. I was a chair guy, and we prayed for our life before getting over the edge. It's nerve wracking to not be 100% sure of the equipment you are using and not really being prepared for an emergency. We need to protect our workers, our employers, and the general public walking below these guys. I've made the switch from old to new, and you should too!
I've spent 8 years in a boatswain chair. They are terribly limited and ridiculously outdated.
All you need to do is look at the safty records of the bosun chair system compaired to the twin line rope access system. Or just look up bosun chair on YouTube and see the rediculus situations the bosuns chair workers put them selfs in. Rope access training teaches redundancy in rigging and gives the option of self rescue or rescue from another technition. Bosuns chair system has no means of rescue.
Industrial rope access practices and training are an internationally recognized standard, whereas bosun's chair is governed by no particular training standards. The activities governed separately as rope access under Part 34 and bosun's chair under Part 13 are relevantly similar. The regulations which govern rope access are made up of 16 Parts comprised of approximately 2000 words, including reference to extensive trade association documents, and international consensus standards. By contrast the verbiage that deals with boatswain's chair or bosun's chair under Part 13 is comprised of only a couple paragraphs, and the word only appears 3 times in the entire section. From this it is evident that rope access, while not only more standardized and safer, is also more regulated.
This Needs to happen. Far too many times around this city have I seen unsafe work practices and WCB have failed to enforce even their own guidelines. This is in need of serious review as I have had extensive training and know both worlds. I know the chair and I know rope access. I'd never use a chair again. Those who are still using the chair are incompetent and a safety liability. Please consider a Review
Raise your standard
This practice is a thing of the past Rope Access is the only way forward.
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With the implementation of part 34 and the acceptance of internationally recognized standards for rope access, the outmoded form of access known as "bosun's chair", governed by Worksafe BC Part 13, requires review and updating. Part 13 must be updated to bring it in line with modern safety standards recognized throughout the rest of the world.
Updates
May 29, 2015
I really never thought this would gain this much steam (honestly I was just venting out of frustration at the job site) but here we are and it feels like people are finally seeing how outdated these regulations actually are. It is honestly kind of surreal seeing how many of you have dealt with these same exact safety issues while swinging in a chair that belongs in a museum.
Reached 100 supporters
May 29, 2015
40 Comments
Antiquated forms of rope work should have no place in the modern work force. There are countless trade associations and equipment manufacturers pushing forward with new equipment, training standards, and more; innovations are happening to increase worker safety over what we've learned from outdated rope systems (ie: bosun chair).
This regulation is a little grey cloud in the rope world, allowing employers to dodge safety requirements, the regulation as it stands does not do anything in terms of keeping our workers safe. Why do you think all of the high rise companies have been using SPRAT for years in BC? Chair guys are cowboys and employers know how dangerous of a threat they are. I was a chair guy, and we prayed for our life before getting over the edge. It's nerve wracking to not be 100% sure of the equipment you are using and not really being prepared for an emergency. We need to protect our workers, our employers, and the general public walking below these guys. I've made the switch from old to new, and you should too!
I've spent 8 years in a boatswain chair. They are terribly limited and ridiculously outdated.
All you need to do is look at the safty records of the bosun chair system compaired to the twin line rope access system. Or just look up bosun chair on YouTube and see the rediculus situations the bosuns chair workers put them selfs in. Rope access training teaches redundancy in rigging and gives the option of self rescue or rescue from another technition. Bosuns chair system has no means of rescue.
Industrial rope access practices and training are an internationally recognized standard, whereas bosun's chair is governed by no particular training standards. The activities governed separately as rope access under Part 34 and bosun's chair under Part 13 are relevantly similar. The regulations which govern rope access are made up of 16 Parts comprised of approximately 2000 words, including reference to extensive trade association documents, and international consensus standards. By contrast the verbiage that deals with boatswain's chair or bosun's chair under Part 13 is comprised of only a couple paragraphs, and the word only appears 3 times in the entire section. From this it is evident that rope access, while not only more standardized and safer, is also more regulated.
This Needs to happen. Far too many times around this city have I seen unsafe work practices and WCB have failed to enforce even their own guidelines. This is in need of serious review as I have had extensive training and know both worlds. I know the chair and I know rope access. I'd never use a chair again. Those who are still using the chair are incompetent and a safety liability. Please consider a Review
Raise your standard
This practice is a thing of the past Rope Access is the only way forward.
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Antiquated forms of rope work should have no place in the modern work force. There are countless trade associations and equipment manufacturers pushing forward with new equipment, training standards, and more; innovations are happening to increase worker safety over what we've learned from outdated rope systems (ie: bosun chair).