when do i need fall pro

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CCOHS CCHST Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Centre canadien d'hygiène et de sécurité au travail Fall Protection # Fall Protection - Legislation ## On this page When is fall protection required? What are the sources of legislation regarding fall protection? What are the applicable standards for fall protection? Where can I find more information from CCOHS about fall protection and working at heights? ## When is fall protection required? 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: - fixed barriers (e.g., handrails, guardrails) - surface opening protection (e.g., covers, guardrails, etc.) - warning barriers/control zones - 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) There may also be specific legal requirements around use of equipment like ladders and scaffolding. 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) Fall Protection - Legislation CCOHS

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CCOHS CCHST Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Centre canadien d'hygiène et de sécurité au travail Fall Protection # Fall Protection - Fall Protection Plan (General) ## On this page Why is fall protection planning important? What is working at heights? What are fall protection plans and why are they important? How do I know if my workplace should have a fall protection plan? What are some areas to examine during a hazard assessment for fall protection? What are elements to consider when writing a fall protection plan? Who has responsibilities for fall hazards? Does the fall protection plan include training for those working at heights? Does the fall protection plan include a rescue plan? ## Why is fall protection planning important? Falls are common causes of serious work related injuries and deaths. Fall protection planning can help to eliminate the hazards or control the risks associated with working near openings or at heights. This document will focus on working at heights. For information about falls on the same level, please see the OSH Answers document on the prevention of slips, trips and falls. ## What is working at heights? Working at heights is any work where a person could fall a distance and be injured. This event might include, for example, falling from a step ladder, off of a roof, or through an unguarded hole in the ground or floor. Fall protection may also be required when working above an open top tank, bin, hopper, or vat. Other situations that may require fall protection include the use of: forklift platforms, Fall Protection - Fall Protection Plan (General) CCOHS

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# Fall Protection - Fall Protection Plan (General) (cont.) ## What is working at heights? (cont.) - elevated work platforms, - fixed suspended work platforms, - swing staging, - boatswain's chairs, - aerial devices, - suspended equipment, or - personnel carrying equipment (e.g., personnel lifting units raised by cranes or hoists) Occupational health and safety laws generally require action when a worker has the potential to fall about 3 metres (10 feet). Check with your jurisdiction as exact requirements do vary. Note that 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: - fixed barriers (e.g., handrails, guardrails) - surface opening protection (e.g., covers, guardrails, etc.) - warning barriers or control zones - 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 (ie., a system that will stop a worker's fall before the worker hits the surface below) There may also be specific legal requirements around use of equipment like ladders and scaffolding. ## What are fall protection plans and why are they important? A fall protection plan is a general term for the policy and procedures used to identify fall hazards, and the measures taken to prevent injury. Included in this plan is selecting, assembling, maintaining, inspecting, using, and dismantling equipment such as ladders, scaffolds, or platforms used for working at heights as well as any fall protection equipment. Emergency procedures for rescuing fallen workers (including those who are hanging in midair by their harness) are also needed. Fall protection plans must be specific to each site where workers are at heights. There is "no one size fits all" plan.…

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# Fall Protection - Fall Protection Plan (General) (cont.) ## How do I know if my workplace should have a fall protection plan? Each workplace should seek the answers to the following questions: - How is working at heights defined in my jurisdiction? - Are workers working at heights? - Is a hazard assessment required (by law, other authority, or good practice)? - Are you required to have a fall protection plan? ## What are some areas to examine during a hazard assessment for fall protection? Look for all areas or situations where there is a risk of falling before any work begins. - Are there any areas where people may fall during tasks they are expected to do? Examples include: - from a height of 3 m (10 ft) or more - from heights less than 3 m (10 ft) where required (e.g., where there is an increased risk of injury) - into operating machinery - into water or other liquid - into or onto a hazardous substance or object - through an opening in a work surface - Are there controls in place to eliminate or reduce the likelihood of falls? - Are workers trained to recognize new or previously unrecognized fall hazards and report them immediately? - Do workers understand the protective measures taken to reduce falls (e.g., guardrails, safety nets, etc.)? - Is all equipment used by workers stable and in good repair, including guardrails, ladders and scaffolding? - Are floors in work areas in a clean and, so far as possible, dry condition? - Are workers educated and trained to understand how and when to use protective equipment safely? - Are the required personal protective equipment, available, maintained in good condition, and used as instructed? Fall Protection - Fall Protection Plan (General) CCOHS