Boatswain's Chair

Program Description

This course addresses training requirements for workers who use boatswain’s chairs and is designed to meet the training requirements described as in outlined in section 138.1 of Ontario’s Regulation for Construction Projects (O. Reg. 213/91) and section 45 of Ontario Regulation for Window Cleaning (O.Reg. 859).

IHSA offers this program as part of the Suspended Access Equipment training programs. This program is an additional day of hands-on training for workers who use boatswain’s chairs.

Program Content

• Use of a work plan and a roof plan
• Selection and inspection of fall protection PPE
• Inspection of life lines and suspension lines, and rigging for defects and hazardous conditions
• Inspection of all components of the boatswain’s chair and descent devices for defects and hazardous conditions.
• Documentation of the inspection.
• Installation of a Boatswain’s chair
• • Attachment of suspension lines to identified fixed support (anchor) on work plan and roof plan
  • Reeving of suspension line to descent device
  • Verification that descent device is closed/locked, oriented in the right direction and secured to the boatswain’s chair
  • Confirmation the 'brake' is installed properly
  • Verification of the installation of edge protection
  • Double checking of the rigging and installation
• Operation of a Boatswain’s chair
• • Slow and controlled descent
  • Safe application of the 'brake' during the operation of the boatswain’s chair
  • Best practises while using the boatswain’s chair as a platform

Personal Protective Equipment

Participants must bring the following personal protective equipment (PPE) for use during the hands-on training:

• CSA-certified head, foot, and eye protection
• Fall protection equipment including a CSA-certified full-body harness, lanyard with energy absorber (30 inches or less), and 5/8” rope grab
• Work gloves for handling sharp objects

This equipment must be maintained and in good working order as per the manufacturer’s specifications and regulatory requirements. Participants who do not bring the necessary clothing and PPE will not be able to complete the program and will be asked to reschedule when they have the proper clothing and equipment.

Prerequisites

Before taking the Boatswain’s Chair training, participants must have successfully completed the following training programs:

• IHSA's Working at Heights – Fundamentals of Fall Prevention training program (or an equivalent working at heights training program approved by the Ministry of Labour/Prevention Office)
• IHSA's Suspended Access Equipment – Users training program. Participants must have completed this training program within the previous year.

Who Should Attend?

Workers who use boatswain’s chairs from various industries including - construction, window cleaning and service maintenance.

Learning Evaluation

This training program has a two-part learning evaluation process:

• Participants must complete a written multiple-choice test and achieve a grade of 75%.
• Participants must complete a hands-on demonstration and achieve a score of 100%.

IHSA will issue a certificate of completion only to those who successfully meet the evaluation requirements.

For participants with language, literacy, or special accommodation needs, alternative evaluation methods to the written test may be used to verify that key concepts have been understood. Please discuss your needs with an IHSA Customer Service Representative when registering for the course and confirm your arrangements with the instructor before the beginning of class.

In addition to this training, employers must ensure that workers receive adequate training and written and oral instructions in the hazards and requirements for the site-specific equipment and fall protection system used in the workplace. This includes training on manufacturer’s instructions for all the equipment used and site-specific policy and procedures.

Participant Course Evaluation

At the end of the training, participants will have the opportunity to evaluate and provide comments about the training they received.