A written fall protection program records when fall protection is required, which controls are used and how equipment is inspected, with a separate plan for each site. The general trigger is a fall of 3 m or more in Alberta (OHS Code, Part 9, s. 139(1)) and British Columbia (OHSR, Part 11, s. 11.2), and a fall of more than 3 m in Ontario construction (O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26) and industrial establishments (R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 851, s. 85). Alberta also requires a fall protection plan (s. 140), and British Columbia a written plan (s. 11.3), in the cases set out in the table.
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Part 1 of 2 — Written fall protection program
This program sets out how protects workers from falls, and applies to all work described below.
Work activities covered:
Sites / work areas covered:
Record the trigger that applies to your jurisdiction and work type. Confirm against the current regulation before you rely on it — requirements change.
| Jurisdiction | Principal regulation | General height trigger and common additional triggers |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario (construction) |
O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26 | Fall of more than 3 m; also more than 1.2 m where the work area is used as a path for a wheelbarrow or similar equipment, and where a fall is into operating machinery, into water or another liquid, into or onto a hazardous substance or object, or through an opening on a work surface. |
| Ontario (industrial) |
R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 851, s. 85 | Where a worker is exposed to the hazard of falling and the surface to which the worker might fall is more than 3 m below. |
| Alberta | OHS Code, Part 9, s. 139(1) | Fall of 3 m or more; also at less than 3 m where there is an unusual possibility of injury, where a worker may fall into or onto a hazardous substance or object or through an opening in a work surface, and at a permanent work area where the fall is more than 1.2 m and less than 3 m. A fall protection plan is required under s. 140 where a worker may fall 3 m or more and is not protected by guardrails. |
| British Columbia | OHSR, Part 11, ss. 11.2 and 11.3 | Fall of 3 m (10 ft) or more; also from a lesser height where there is an unusual possibility of injury greater than injury from landing on a flat surface. A written fall protection plan is required under s. 11.3 where workers are not protected by permanent guardrails and a fall of 7.5 m (25 ft) or more may occur. |
| Our applicable jurisdiction(s) |
Work down this order. Record why any higher control was rejected before moving to the next.
| # | Control | Where we use it | If not used, why not |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eliminate the work at height (do it at ground level) | ||
| 2 | Guardrails / permanent engineered barrier | ||
| 3 | Travel restraint (worker cannot reach the edge) | ||
| 4 | Fall restricting system | ||
| 5 | Fall arrest (full body harness + connecting device) | ||
| 6 | Safety net |
| Role | Name / position | Responsibility under this program |
|---|---|---|
| Employer / senior management | Provide equipment, training and supervision; fund the program; review it annually. | |
| Program owner | Maintain this document, equipment register and training records; lead the annual review. | |
| Supervisor | Confirm the site plan is complete before work starts; verify training and pre-use inspection; stop unsafe work. | |
| Competent person (anchorage / plan) | Identify and approve anchorage; sign off the site fall protection plan. | |
| Worker | Use the system as trained; inspect equipment before each use; report defects and remove equipment from service. |
Equipment used under this program conforms to the applicable CSA standards adopted by our jurisdiction. Standards we specify:
| ID / serial | Item | In service date | Manufacturer life limit | Assigned to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Anchor points are identified and approved by the competent person named in Section 4 before use, and are rated for the system in use.
| Location / structure | Type (permanent / temporary) | Rated capacity | Approved by / date |
|---|---|---|---|
Ontario construction workers who use fall protection must hold a valid Working at Heights certificate from a Chief Prevention Officer–approved training provider under O. Reg. 297/13, and that training is valid for three years from successful completion (O. Reg. 297/13, s. 8(1)). Other jurisdictions and sectors set their own competency requirements. Record what applies to you.
| Worker | Training / certificate | Provider | Completed | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
This program is reviewed at least annually, and after any fall, near miss, equipment failure, change in work method, or change in the applicable regulation.
Part 2 of 2 — Site fall protection plan
Task:
Fall distance / height: Surface or hazard below:
Required clearance below the anchor: Available clearance:
| Worker | Harness ID | Connecting device ID | Pre-use check |
|---|---|---|---|
A suspended worker must be reached quickly — calling 911 alone is not a rescue plan. Write down who does what, with what equipment, and how long it will take.
Rescue method:
Rescue equipment on site and its location:
Trained rescuers on site: Target time to reach worker:
Emergency contact / muster point:
Retain with your site records.
| Name (print) | Signature | Date |
|---|---|---|
Our consultants (CRSP Certified · COR & ISO 45001 Lead Auditors) can adapt this to your workplace or review your safety program with you.
This template is general guidance, not legal advice. Confirm every requirement against the current regulation in your jurisdiction before relying on it.