Work at height control

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# Daily Exposure Exceeding 85 dBA Lₑₓ (cont.) ## Protection Against Falling (cont.) (2) An employer shall ensure that workers at a permanent work site are protected from falling by a guardrail or similar barrier if a worker could fall a vertical distance of between 1.2 m and 3 m. (3) Despite subsection (2), if the use of a guardrail or similar barrier is not reasonably possible, an employer shall ensure that the worker uses a travel restraint system. (4) Despite subsection (3), if the use of a travel restraint system by a worker is not reasonably possible, an employer shall ensure that the worker is protected from falling by the use of a safety net, control zone or other equally effective safeguards. (5) Subsection (1) does not apply to competent workers who are engaged in (a) installing or attaching a fall protection system to the anchor point; (b) removing or disassembling the associated parts of a fall protection system when it is no longer required; or (c) activities within the normal course of business on a permanent loading dock that does not exceed 1.2 m in height. - Fall Protection Plan 120. (1) An employer shall develop a written fall protection plan if (a) a worker could fall 3 m or more; and (b) workers are not protected by a guardrail or similar barrier. (2) The fall protection plan must describe (a) the fall hazards at the work site; (b) the fall protection system to be used at the work site; (c) the procedures used to assemble, maintain, inspect, use and disassemble the fall protection system; and (d) the rescue procedures to be used if a worker falls or is left suspended by a personal fall arrest system or safety net, and needs to be rescued. (3) If a risk of falling exists at a work site, the employer shall make the fall protection plan readily available to workers before work begins. (4) An employer shall ensure that a worker is trained in the fall protection plan and the safe use of the fall protection syst…

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# Occupational Safety and Health Administration (cont.) ## 1926.501(b)(13). (cont.) with $ 1926.502(k) for a particular workplace situation, in lieu of implementing any of those systems. ## 1926.501(b)(14) Wall openings. Each employee working on, at, above, or near wall openings (including those with chutes attached) where the outside bottom edge of the wall opening is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels and the inside bottom edge of the wall opening is less than 39 inches (1.0 m) above the walking/working surface, shall be protected from falling by the use of a guardrail system, a safety net system, or a personal fall arrest system. ## 1926.501(b)(15) Walking/working surfaces not otherwise addressed. Except as provided in $ 1926.500(a)(2) or in $ 1926.501 (b)(1) through (b)(14), each employee on a walking/working surface 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system. - 1926.501(c) Protection from falling objects. When an employee is exposed to falling objects, the employer shall have each employee wear a hard hat and shall implement one of the following measures: Submit Feedback - 1926.501(c)(1) Erect toeboards, screens, or guardrail systems to prevent objects from falling from higher levels; or, - 1926.501(c)(2) Erect a canopy structure and keep potential fall objects far enough from the edge of the higher level so that those objects would not go over the edge if they were accidentally displaced; or, - 1926.501(c)(3) Barricade the area to which objects could fall, prohibit employees from entering the barricaded area, and keep objects that may fall far enough away from the edge of a higher level so that those objects would not go over the edge if they were accidentally displaced. [59 FR [redacted postal code], Aug. 9, 1994; 60 FR 5131, Jan. 26, 1995]

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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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# Daily Exposure Exceeding 85 dBA Lₑₓ (cont.) ## Protection Against Falling (cont.) (2) A worker who crosses but who does not otherwise work in a control zone (a) is not required to use a fall protection system, other than the control zone itself, to enter or leave the work site; and (b) shall follow the most direct route to get to or from the unguarded edge. (3) If a worker works more than 2 m from an unguarded edge, an employer shall ensure that a control zone is clearly marked with an effective raised warning line or other equally effective method. (4) An employer shall ensure that a worker working in a control zone uses (a) a travel restraint system; or (b) another equally effective system as a travel restraint system that prevents the worker from getting to the unguarded edge. - Anchor Points and Anchor Plates 122. (1) If a worker uses a personal fall arrest system or a travel restraint system, an employer shall ensure that an anchor point or anchor plate meeting the requirements of this section is used as part of that system. (2) An employer shall ensure that a temporary anchor point used in a travel restraint system (a) has an ultimate load capacity of not less than 3.5 kN per worker attached in any direction that a load could be applied; (b) is installed and used according to the manufacturer's specifications; (c) is permanently marked as being for travel restraint only; and (d) is removed from use on the earlier of (i) the date the work project for which it is intended is completed, and (ii) the time specified by the manufacturer. (3) An employer shall ensure that a permanent anchor point used in a travel restraint system (a) has an ultimate load capacity of not less than 22.5 kN per worker attached in any direction that a load could be applied; (b) is installed and used according to the manufacturer's specifications; and (c) is permanently marked as being for travel restraint only. (4) If a personal f…

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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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# Daily Exposure Exceeding 85 dBA Lₑₓ (cont.) ## Guardrails (cont.) (3) A wire rope guardrail may be used at the external perimeter of a building under construction. (4) If a wire rope guardrail is used under subsection (3), an employer shall ensure that (a) the guardrail consists of a horizontal top member and a horizontal intermediate member made of wire rope not less than 9.5 mm in diameter, with vertical separators not less than 50 mm wide that are spaced at intervals that are not less than 2.4 m apart; (b) the horizontal top member and horizontal intermediate member are positioned above the working surface in accordance with paragraphs (1)(a) and (b); (c) the guardrail is kept taut by means of a turnbuckle or other appropriate device; and (d) the guardrail is arranged so that a worker coming into contact with the ropes cannot fall through the ropes. (5) An employer shall ensure that a worker does not hang equipment on a guardrail. ## Toeboards 129. (1) - In this section, "toeboard" means a low vertical guard that is (a) located at the outer edge of a platform, scaffold, floor, stair, walkway, pit or other height; and (b) designed to prevent materials or equipment from falling over the edge. (plinthe) (2) An employer shall provide toeboards at the edge of (a) a permanent floor, platform, mezzanine, walkway, ramp, runway or other surface from which it is possible for materials to fall more than 1.2 m; (b) a temporary scaffold or work platform from which it is possible for materials to fall more than 3 m; and (c) a pit for a flywheel or pulley. (3) Subsection (2) does not apply to a loading or unloading area if the employer has taken other precautions to ensure that materials will not fall from the floor or other horizontal surface. (4) If a toeboard is required by these regulations, an employer shall ensure that the toeboard extends from the floor or other horizontal surface to a height of not less than (a) 125 mm from the f…

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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 - Hierarchy of Control ## On this page What should be considered when work is done at heights? How can work at heights be eliminated? What engineering controls can be used to reduce work at heights? What administrative controls can be used? What are examples of personal protective equipment? What should be considered when work is done at heights? Workplaces that identify any risk of injury due to a fall from heights should implement a fall protection plan that outlines the management of work at heights. These policies and procedures may cover a wide range of elements, such as the use of any fall protection equipment, or the assembling, maintaining, inspecting, using, and dismantling of equipment such as ladders, scaffolds, or platforms used for working at heights. Employers must consider the hierarchy of control when selecting the safest method. Information about the hierarchy of control for fall protection is included in this document. Please see the OSH Answers "Hierarchy of Control' for general information. NOTE that other requirements may be needed that are not discussed in this document. Applying the hierarchy of control for work at heights can be complex. Always consult the legislation that applies in your situation, and with your jurisdiction for complete information. The following information is intended as guidance only. ## How can work at heights be eliminated? The most effective method of control is to eliminate the need to work at a height. Examples include: - Designing the work (structurally or mechanically) to eliminate the need to work at heights - Providing a stable platform or floor Fall Protection - Hierarchy of Control CCOHS

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# OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE (cont.) ## Independence of anchors (cont.) Section 152.4 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE Part 9 AR 191/2021 ## Wire rope sling as anchor 152.4 An employer must ensure that a wire rope sling used as an anchor is terminated at both ends with a Flemish eye splice rated to at least 90 percent of the wire rope's minimum breaking strength. ## Flexible and rigid horizontal lifeline systems 153(1) An employer must ensure that a flexible horizontal lifeline system manufactured on or after July 1, 2009 meets the requirements of (a) CSA Standard Z259.13-04, Flexible Horizontal Lifeline Systems, or (b) the applicable requirements of CSA Standard Z259. 16-04, Design of Active Fall-Protection Systems. - 153(2) An employer must ensure that a rigid horizontal fall protection system is designed, installed and used in accordance with (a) the manufacturer's specifications, or (b) specifications certified by a professional engineer. ## Installation of horizontal lifeline systems 153.1 An employer must ensure that before a horizontal lifeline system is used, a professional engineer, a competent person authorized by the professional engineer, the manufacturer or a competent person authorized by the manufacturer certifies that the system has been properly installed according to the manufacturer's specifications or to specifications certified by a professional engineer. ## Fixed ladders and climbable structures 154(1) An employer must ensure that if a worker is working from or on a fixed ladder or climbable structure at a height of 3 metres or more and is not protected by a guardrail, continuous protection from falling is provided by (a) equipping the fixed ladder or climbable structure with an integral fall protection system that meets the requirements of (i) CSA Standard Z259.2.4-15, Fall arresters and vertical rigid rails, (i.1) CSA Standard Z259.2.5-17, Fall arresters and vertical lifelines, or (ii) ANSI/ASSE …

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# Fall Protection - Hierarchy of Control (cont.) ## How can work at heights be eliminated? (cont.) - Moving the item to a level that is not at a height (e.g., control panels) - Using robots, cameras, or drones for cleaning and inspection of equipment - Lowering the object to the ground (e.g., lights that can be lowered by a rope or chain) - Using a device that allows the material to be handled from a safe location (e.g, an extended pole to reach higher areas instead of using ladders when painting or changing light bulbs) ## What engineering controls can be used to reduce work at heights? Engineering controls are methods that are built into the design of a plant, equipment, materials, or other aspects of the physical work environment. For example, guardrails are stationary or fixed (permanent) systems used to protect workers. The system is an engineering control because it does not rely on the worker to be trained to use or wear a fall protection system. Other examples of engineering controls include: - Placing a cover over the hole - Fixed or suspended scaffolding - Mobile elevating work platforms ## What administrative controls can be used? Administrative controls can include workplace policies and rules that instruct workers in fall protection methods. Examples of administrative controls for fall protection include: - Workplace policies and procedures to manage work at heights, including safe work practices, emergency rescue procedures, weather monitoring, etc. - Warning lines - Train and supervise staff to not cross warning lines or enter unsafe zones. - Controlled access zones - Assembling components on the ground to minimize the time spent working at heights (e.g., assembling roof trusses on the ground before hoisting) What are examples of personal protective equipment? Fall Protection - Hierarchy of Control CCOHS

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# Fall Protection - Hierarchy of Control (cont.) ## What administrative controls can be used? (cont.) Personal protective equipment includes various methods, including: - Travel Restraint: A travel restraint system restricts workers' movements in the fall hazard area by allowing them to reach the edge, but they cannot fall over the edge. Travel restraint is often used for leading-edge work that has an unprotected floor, roof, deck, or other walking or working surface. - Fall Arrest: The fall arrest system is designed to catch the worker in the event of a fall. If the fall arrest system is not appropriately planned, designed, and installed, the worker may be injured during the fall, including the potential to bottom out. - Safety nets: Safety nets are considered a passive fall protection system that can be installed as either a barrier to prevent a fall or beneath the work to catch a falling worker. Safety nets are designed to decrease the fall distance, absorb the energy of a fall, and reduce the likelihood or seriousness of an injury. Fact sheet first published: 2022-09-15 Fact sheet last revised: 2022-09-15 ## Disclaimer Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information, CCOHS does not guarantee, warrant, represent or undertake that the information provided is correct, accurate or current. CCOHS is not liable for any loss, claim, or demand arising directly or indirectly from any use or reliance upon the information. Fall Protection - Hierarchy of Control CCOHS

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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