Under the new ANSI A92.22-2018 and CSA B354.7:17 Standards, every organization that operates MEWPs needs to develop a safe use plan and having documented rescue plans is a requirement. ANSI Z359.406.1 Standard recommends a goal for rescue subject contact of less than six minutes, and OSHA 1926.502 and OSHA 1910.66 states “the employer shall provide for prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall or shall assure the employees are able to rescue themselves.” Research indicates that suspension in a fall arrest device can result in unconsciousness, followed by death, in less than 30 minutes. When a person falls or is ejected from a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP), it only takes a short period of time for them to experience suspension trauma (blood pooling in their legs) even if they are wearing a properly fitted full-body harness.
