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The global spotlight will soon shine upon Canada. With World Cup 2026 fast approaching, host cities Toronto and Vancouver are preparing for a period of worldwide visibility and unprecedented scrutiny. Stadiums, broadcast centres, transportation hubs, and adjacent hospitality facilities will all operate under heightened public attention.
While the focus will be on the games, the safety and operational integrity of the hosting facilities are also a major concern. For facility owners and safety managers, this period of heightened activity—marked by increased media presence, sold-out venues, and tight maintenance schedules—makes a proactive approach to workplace safety more imperative than ever.
At the forefront of this preparation is a comprehensive fall protection audit. An audit helps identify hazards and subsequent risks, ensures compliance with Canadian safety standards, and reduces the likelihood of incidents during these hectic operational periods.
A fall protection audit is a systematic, expert examination of a facility to identify and mitigate fall hazards. In the lead-up to the World Cup, such an assessment transcends routine maintenance because the consequences of a fall-related incident during this timeframe would be severe. First and foremost, there is the human tragedy, followed by major operational disruptions and grave damage to the country’s reputation.
Rather than reacting to hazards after an event, a proactive fall hazard assessment allows organizations to implement effective solutions before peak activity begins, ensuring facilities are not only compliant but fully prepared for the World Cup.
During major events, facilities experience a surge in rooftop access for tasks like installing temporary broadcast equipment, adjusting lighting, and conducting last-minute inspections. The primary goal of an audit is to identify these vulnerabilities. Professionals evaluate all areas where workers—such as maintenance staff, broadcast technicians, and contractors—may need to access elevated work areas.
This includes rooftops, elevated walkways, mezzanines, and areas around skylights or roof hatches. The audit benchmarks current conditions against stringent Canadian safety standards, including provincial Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) regulations for British Columbia and Ontario, and ANSI best practices. Roof safety compliance is a legal, operational, and moral obligation.
A thorough audit will scrutinize key areas and systems, providing a clear action plan. A combination of passive barriers and active (personal) safety systems is usually needed to provide rooftop fall protection in Canada.
Passive (or collective) fall protection safeguards multiple workers without using special equipment or training. Where guardrails or other passive systems are impractical, active systems employ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which directly involves and protects individual workers.
For entrances, crowd control, stadium seating, mezzanines, catwalks, accessibility handrails, and other areas, modular guardrails constructed of aluminum or galvanized steel are strong, durable, and corrosion-resistant. They are installed without welding or drilling and can be reconfigured as facility needs change, such as at the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup festivities.
Modular access platforms are essential tools for a wide range of work-at-height tasks before and during upcoming events. Whether for stadium upgrades, media operations, temporary infrastructure, training sites, or maintenance at local hotels and other facilities, elevated work platforms provide safe and flexible access during construction, renovations, and operations.
In confined spaces, on steep slopes, and other areas where guardrails are impractical, an audit will recommend active fall protection that restrains workers from reaching the hazard and fall arrest systems that minimize the impact of a fall.
A facility safety audit in Canada before the World Cup is a strategic investment in readiness. It documents a commitment to safety at stadiums and ancillary facilities, reduces the likelihood of sudden work stoppages, and protects the workforce during a period of increased, often stressful activity. Facility managers gain a deep understanding of fall hazards and how to implement protective systems in advance of peak demand.
As the world watches, Canadian host cities have an opportunity to showcase sporting excellence and an unwavering commitment to safety. Preparing for the crowds is one task; preparing the structures that will house this historic event is another.
By undergoing a comprehensive fall protection audit now, facility owners and managers can ensure their venues are secure, compliant, and ready to contribute to a safe, successful, and unforgettable World Cup 2026. Long before the whistle sounds for the first match, the closing ceremonies for engineered fall protection preparation should be held.
Is Your Rooftop Ready for the Extra Foot Traffic and Safe Viewing Areas?
Has Your HVAC System Been Inspected to Handle Capacity for Your Venues?
Is Your Business Prepared to Welcome the World with Safe, Accessible, and Fully Compliant Facilities?
Kee Safety delivers fall protection & safe access solutions across Canada. From stadiums to hotels, stay compliant for World Cup in Toronto & Vancouver.