Safety Direct 4:1 Rescue Block & Tackle System
4:1 Rescue Block & Tackle System
CSA Z259.2.3 requires every Canadian worksite with fall exposure to have a pre-planned rescue capability on-site. Trained rescue teams need a system that gives them mechanical advantage when lifting or lowering a fallen worker — one person cannot lift another person hanging on a fall arrest line without it.
The Safety Direct 4:1 Rescue Block & Tackle System is a pre-rigged mechanical-advantage rescue kit that lets a single rescuer raise or lower a suspended worker with a 4-to-1 force reduction. It is the standard assisted-rescue tool for construction, tower, wind, and industrial rope-access programs that need to build rescue into the daily safety plan.
Why a 4:1 Mechanical Advantage System
- One-person rescue capability. A 4:1 system reduces the lift force by 75%, so a single trained rescuer can raise an unconscious worker without a team of four.
- Pre-rigged and inspected. Deploy in seconds — no field assembly during an incident, no missing components.
- CSA Z259.2.3 compliant rescue equipment. Satisfies the immediate-rescue-capability requirement that provincial OHS inspectors look for.
- Length sized to exposure. Match the working length to the height of your fall exposure — 15 ft for low-level industrial, 200 ft for tower and wind.
Product Overview
The 4:1 Rescue Block & Tackle is a pulley-based mechanical-advantage rescue system pre-rigged with high-strength rescue rope, rated pulleys, connectors, and a rope grab. The 4:1 configuration means that for every four feet of rope pulled by the rescuer, the load moves one foot — but the force required is reduced to roughly one-quarter of the load's weight.
The system is designed for assisted rescue of a fallen worker hanging in a full-body harness. Deploy from an independent anchor above the worker, attach to the worker's dorsal D-ring, and raise to a safe working level or lower to the ground. Choose the working length that matches your site's fall exposure; a rule of thumb is working length equal to or greater than the potential fall height plus 10%.
Key Features
- 4:1 mechanical advantage — one-person rescue capability
- Pre-rigged system — deploy in seconds, no assembly
- Available in 15, 30, 50, 75, 100, and 200 ft working lengths
- Rated pulleys and connectors throughout — no weak links
- Raises and lowers a suspended worker (bi-directional)
- Designed to CSA Z259.2.3 rescue-equipment requirements
- Supplied with carry bag for on-site storage at the rescue station
Specifications
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Advantage | 4:1 (theoretical) |
| Use Type | Assisted rescue — raise or lower a suspended worker |
| Working Length Options | 15 ft, 30 ft, 50 ft, 75 ft, 100 ft, 200 ft |
| Capacity | Single rescue subject |
| Primary Standard | CSA Z259.2.3 (Descent Control Devices) |
| Supporting Standards | CSA Z259.12 (connectors) |
| Country of Origin | Canada (Safety Direct Ltd.) |
Available Configurations & Pricing
| SKU | Working Length | MSRP (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| RBTS15 | 15 ft | $1,404.20 |
| RBTS30 | 30 ft | $1,650.30 |
| RBTS50 | 50 ft | $1,952.85 |
| RBTS75 | 75 ft | $2,324.20 |
| RBTS100 | 100 ft | $2,695.45 |
| RBTS200 | 200 ft | $3,092.60 |
CSA Compliance
This product is intended to satisfy:
- CSA Z259.2.3 — Descent Control Devices (primary rescue-equipment standard)
- CSA Z259.12 — Connecting components (carabiners, pulleys)
Use as a component of a documented site rescue plan. Trained rescuers should drill with the system at least annually.
What Else You Need for a Complete Rescue Program
A block & tackle system is a rescue tool — it requires trained users and a complete fall protection system upstream:
- CSA Z259.10 full-body harness for the worker being rescued
- CSA Z259.11 lanyard or Z259.2.2 SRL as the primary fall arrest connector
- CSA Z259.15 anchor rated for both fall arrest and rescue loads
- A written rescue plan naming trained rescuers and the response sequence
- Annual rescue drills using this system
Build Your Rescue Program
Pair this system with certified harnesses, anchors, and lanyards to meet CSA Z259.2.3 end-to-end.
VIEW FALL PROTECTION KITS