Most jurisdictions require the use of specific fall protection measures before, or in addition to, personal protective equipment (PPE). These measures generally include the use of some of the following:
fall or travel restraint systems (i.e., a system to prevent a worker from falling from a work position, or from travelling to an unguarded edge from which the worker could fall)
fall containment system (e.g., safety nets)
fall arrest systems (i.e., a system that will stop a worker’s fall before the worker hits the surface below) Occupational health and safety laws generally require action when a worker has the potential to fall about 3 metres (10 feet). In most cases, fall protection is required when:
other means of fall protection are not available or possible, such as guardrails
working at a height of 3 metres or more (permanent and/or temporary work areas)
working at a height of less than 3 metres when the surface below could cause a greater injury than just the fall
a worker may fall through an opening in the work surface
it is determined that fall protection is necessary
What are the sources of legislation regarding fall protection?
Federal [Canada] Canada Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, SOR/86-304, Sections 12.01 to 12.09
Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code, 191/2021 Part 9, Fall Protection Sections 138 - 161
British Columbia Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, B.C. Reg. 296/97 Part 11, Fall Protection, Sections 11.1 to 11.10
Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Man. Reg. 217/2006 Part 14, Fall Protection, Sections 14.1 to 14.29
New Brunswick General Regulation -N.B. Reg. 91-191 Part VII, Protective Equipment, Sections 49 - 51
Newfoundland and Labrador Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012, N.L.R. 5/12 Part X, Fall Protection, Sections 138 to 146
Northwest Territories Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, R-039-2015 Part 7, Personal Protective Equipment, Sections 103 to 109 and Part 9 Safeguards, storage, warning signs and signals, Sections 118 to 124
Nova Scotia Workplace Health and Safety Regulations, N.S. Reg. 52/2013 Part 21, Fall Protection, Sections 21.1 to 21.4
Nunavut Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. R-039-2015, Part 7 Sections 104 to 109, and Part 9, Sections 118 to 122
Ontario Construction Projects, O. Reg. 213/91 Sections 26 - 26.9 and Industrial Establishments, R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 851 Section 85
Prince Edward Island Fall Protection Regulations, EC2004-633
Quebec Regulation respecting occupational health and safety, O.C. 885-2001 Division XXX, Means and Equipment for Individual and Group Protection Sections 347 - 354.1 and Safety Code for the construction industry R.R.Q. 1981, c. S-2.1, r. 6 Division II, General Provisions Sections 2.9.1 to 2.9.3, Safety measures
Saskatchewan Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 Sections 9-2 - 9-5
Yukon Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, O.I.C. 2006/178 Protective Equipment and Clothing - Fall Arrest Sections 1.37 to 1.43
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