Abstract: A personnel evacuation and rescue system provides a reliable, easy to operate, and easy to access evacuation system for personnel working on elevated surfaces in hazardous environments. The evacuation and rescue system includes a ground-mounted base unit, a tubular escape chute, an upper docking portal mounted on the work platform that is mounted onto the side of a drilling or well service mast work platform, and cables for support, deployment, and retrieval of the escape chute. A quick disconnect means for anchoring a fall restraint harness used by the personnel working on the mast platform is attached to the docking platform.