Table of Contents
Fall-Arresting Systems
Last Updated: August 2022
Prepared by CCOHS
The following are the references to the provincial and federal legislation where you will find information about fall protection for the different jurisdictions in Canada. Legislation interpretation and enforcement varies by jurisdiction. Please see the Canadian Governmental Occupational Health & Safety Departments (http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/information/govt.html) for contact information.
This document links to the main legislative reference section(s) that refer to falls from a height (usually with a specified vertical distance) and the equipment required. Definitions for equipment are often in the first section of the relevant regulation (not listed). Falls into holes, shafts, etc, as well as falling 'through' or 'against' are not necessarily recorded here. This list also does not cover requirements for guardrails (or fall arrest equipment in the absence of a guardrail).
This list is prepared by CCOHS as part of the Canadian enviroOSH Legislation service . This service is a comprehensive and easy to search compilation of the full text of Canadian health, safety and environmental legislation and critical guidelines and codes of practice from all jurisdictions. All the legislation is compiled into one convenient location and is regularly updated with amendments highlighted.
Subscribers to this service and paid learners of the CCOHS e-courses have access to the full text of the legislation listed in this document. To become a subscriber please contact Client Services .
Canada
As made under the Canada Labour Code, Part II (R.S.C. 1985, c. L-2),
Canada Occupational Safety And Health Regulations (SOR/86-304)
Part XII Protection Equipment and Other Preventive Measures
Sections 12.01 - 12.02 Interpretation
Sections 12.03 - 12.05 General
Section 12.06 Fall-protection plan
Sections 12.07 - 12.08 Fall-protection Systems
See also:
Aviation Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/2011-87)
Part 6 Safety Materials, Equipment, Devices and Clothing
Safety Restraining Devices
Records
Instruction and Training
Defective Protection Equipment
Maritime Occupational Safety and Health Regulations (SOR/2010-120)
Section 144 Fall-Protection Systems
Oil and Gas Occupational Safety and Health Regulations (SOR/87-612)
Part XIII Safety Materials, Equipment, Devices and Clothing
Section 13.10 Fall-Protection Systems
Alberta
As made under Occupational Health and Safety Act (S.A. 2020, c. O-2.2),
Occupational Health and Safety Code (Alta. Reg. 191/2021)
See also: Sections 793 - 796
Part 41 Work Requiring Rope Access
British Columbia
As made under the Workers Compensation Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 492),
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (B.C. Reg. 296/97)
See also — Schedule 4-A WorkSafeBC Standard - Guardrails Using Rope or Other Non-Rigid Material Scope
Section 4.58.1 Temporary removal of guardrails
Part 13 Ladders, Scaffolds and Temporary Work Platforms
Part 20 - General Requirements
Section 20.98 Rappelling and work positioning systems
Section 26.27 Location of fallers
See also:
OHS Guidelines - Part 11 - Fall Protection
OHS Guidelines - Part 13 - Ladders, Scaffolds and Temporary Work Platforms
OHS Guidelines - Part 34 - Rope Access
Manitoba
As made under the Workplace Safety and Health Act (C.C.S.M. c. W210),
Workplace Safety and Health Regulation (Man. Reg. 217/2006)
Part 13 Entrances, Exits Stairways and Ladders
Section 15.13 Emergency response - top entry into confined space
Part 26 Excavations and Tunnels
Section 26.29 Worker to wear body harness
Part 28 Scaffolds and Other Elevated Work Platforms
Section 28.27 Wire or fibre rope used to suspend platforms
Section 28.30 Workers using suspended work platform
Section 28.47 Fall arrest system
Part 29 Falsework and Flyforms
Operation of Mines Regulation (Man. Reg. 212/2011)
Part 4 General Workplace Requirements
Part 7 Remote Controlled Equipment
Section 7.9 Worker not to be tethered
Part 12 Open Pits And Quarries
See also:
Part 22 Shaft Examination and Safety Precautions
Part 24 Hoist Rope Requirements
Part 30 Mine Hoist - Control and Safety Devices
New Brunswick
As amended by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (S.N.B. 1983, c. O-0.2),
General Regulation - Occupational Health And Safety Act (N.B. Reg. 91-191)
Sections 49 - 51 Fall-protection Systems
Also see:
Section 129.1 Forklift Platforms
Section 130(2) Elevating Work Platforms
Section 140.1 Suspended equipment
Section 141 Fixed suspended work platform
Section 142 - 145.2 Swing staging and boatswain's chair
Sections 231 and 232 Personnel Carrying Equipment
Underground Mine Regulation - Occupational Health and Safety Act (N.B. Reg. 96-105)
Sections 14 – 15 Fall protection
Newfoundland and Labrador
As made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.N.L. 1990, c. O-3),
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012 (N.L.R. 5/12)
See also:
Part XI Scaffolds Stages and Work Platforms
Section 197 Fall protection - suspended work platforms
Section 207 Fall protection - elevating work platform
Section 247 Fall protection - powered platform
Northwest Territories
As amended by Safety Act (R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. S-1),
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (R-039-2015)
Part 7 Personal Protective Equipment
Section 104 Personal fall arrest system
Section 106 Snap hooks on personal fall arrest system
Section 108 Workers’ responsibilities
Part 9 Safeguards Storage, Warning Signs And Signals
Section 119 Protection against falling
Section 120 Fall protection plan
Section 122 Anchor points and anchor plates
Part 16 Entrances Exits and Ladders
As made under Mine Health and Safety Act (S.N.W.T, 1994, c. 25),
Mine Health and Safety Regulations (R-125-95)
Division I General
Section 8.11 Fall Arrest System
See also:
Section 8.18 and 8.19 Handling of Bulk Material
Nova Scotia
As made under Occupational Health and Safety Act (S.N.S. 1996, c. 7),
Workplace Health and Safety Regulations (N.S. Reg. 52/2013)
See also:
Part 22 Work Requiring Rope Access
Part 23 Scaffolds and Other Elevated Work-platforms
Nunavut
As amended by the Safety Act (R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. S-1),
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (R-003-2016)
Part 7 Personal Protective Equipment
Section 104 Personal fall arrest system
Section 106 Snap hooks on personal fall arrest system
Section 108 Workers' responsibilities
Part 9 Safeguards Storage, Warning Signs and Signals
Section 119 Protection against falling
Section 120 Fall protection plan
Section 122 Anchor points and anchor plates
Part 16 Entrances, Exits and Ladders
As amended by the Mine Health and Safety Act (S.N.W.T, 1994, c. 25),
Mine Health and Safety Regulations (R-125-95)
Division I General
Section 8.11 Fall Arrest System
See also:
Section 8.18 and 8.19 Handling of Bulk Material
Ontario
As made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. O),
Construction Projects (O. Reg. 213/91)
See also:
Sections 129 , 141 , 148 , and 247
Diving Operations (O. Reg. 629/94)
Section 21 Fall arrest systems
Health Care and Residential Facilities (O. Reg. 67/93)
Industrial Establishments (R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 851)
Protective Equipment
Mines and Mining Plants (R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 854)
Also see: Sections 60 , 84 , 94 , 190
Oil and Gas - Offshore (R.R.O. 1990, Reg 855)
Window Cleaning (R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 859)
Section 10 Safety Precautions and Requirements
Prince Edward Island
As made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (S.P.E.I. 2004, c. 42),
Occupational Health and Safety Act Regulations (E.C. 180/87)
Section 14.2 Safety harness with life line
Section 34.1 Hoisting apparatus, defined
Section 34.2(2) Construction [man basket supported by mobile crane]
See also:
Fall Protection Regulations (EC2004-633)
Scaffolding Regulations (EC2006-44)
Section 14 Suspended scaffolds - commercially manufactured (subsections 14(20) and 14(21))
Section 17 Use of industrial lift truck (subsection 17(3))
Section 19 Power operated elevating work platform (subsections 19(11) and 19(12))
Section 20 Crane or hoist suspended work platforms (subsection 20(8))
Quebec
As made under the Act Respecting Occupational Health and Safety (CQLR c. S-2.1),
Regulation respecting occupational health and safety (CQLR c. S-2.1, r. 13 O.C. 885-2001)
Division XXX Means and Equipment for Individual and Group Protection
Sections 354 - 354.1 Using a safety net
Safety Code for the construction industry (CQLR S-2.1, r. 6)
Division II General Provisions
Sections 2.9.1 - 2.9.3 Safety measures
Sections 2.10.12 - 2.10.15 Safety harness
Also see:
Section 3.9.4 Erection and dismantling
Section 3.10.9 Material hoisting apparatus
Regulation respecting occupational health and safety in mines (CQLR c. S-2.1, r. 14 O.C. 213-93)
Division II General
Saskatchewan
As made under the Saskatchewan Employment Act (S.S. 2013, c. S-15.1),
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 (c. S-15.1 R.10)
Part 7 Personal Protective Equipment
Section 7-16 Personal fall arrest systems
Section 7-17 Full‑body harness
Section 7-18 Snap hooks on personal fall arrest system
Section 7-20 Workers’ responsibilities re lifelines, etc.
Section 7-21 Inspection of full body harness, etc.
Part 9 Safeguards, Storage, Warning Signs and Signals
Section 9-2 Protection against falling
Section 9-3 Fall protection plan
Section 9-5 Anchor Points and Anchor Plates
Part 12 Scaffolds, Aerial Devices, Elevating Work Platforms and Temporary Supporting Structures
Section 12-19 Use of suspended powered scaffolds
Section 12-20 Workers’ responsibilities
Section 12-25 Aerial devices and elevating work platforms
Part 13 Hoists, Cranes and Lifting Devices
Section 13-9 Raising and lowering workers
Part 16 Entrances Exits and Ladders
Yukon
As made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.Y. 2002, c. 159)
Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (O.I.C. 2006/178)
Protective Equipment and Clothing - Fall Arrest
Section 1.37 Provision and use
Section 1.38 Fall protection program
Section 1.40 Vertical lifelines
Section 1.41 Horizontal lifeline usage
Section 1.42 Horizontal lifeline design
Section 1.43 Lifelines and lanyards
CSA Standards
Compliance with CSA standards is voluntary, unless legislated by the local jurisdiction or mandated by industry or trade associations. Listed below are the CSA standards that have been cited in the legislation above. As well, newer versions of each standard are linked for review and comparison.
C225:20 Vehicle-mounted aerial devices
C225-M88 Vehicle-Mounted Aerial Devices
C225-00 Vehicle-Mounted Aerial Devices
C225-10 Vehicle-Mounted Aerial Devices
Z91-17 Health and safety code for suspended equipment operations
Z91-M1980 Safety Code for Window Cleaning Operations
Z91-M90 Safety Code for Window Cleaning Operations (R2001)
Z91-02 Health and Safety Code for Suspended Equipment Operations
Z150:20 Safety code on mobile cranes
Z150-1974 Safety Code for Mobile Cranes
Z150-98 Safety code on mobile cranes
Z150-11 Safety code on mobile cranes
Z150.3-17 Safety code on articulating boom cranes
Z150.3-11 Safety code on articulating boom cranes (R2016)
Z259.1-05 Body Belts and Saddles for Work Positioning and Travel Restraint
Z259.1-1976 Fall Arresting Safety Belts and Lanyards for the Construction and Mining Industries ;
Z259.1-95 Safety Belts and Lanyards
Z259.2-M1979 Fall-arresting Devices, Personnel Lowering Devices and Life Lines
Z259.2.1-98, Fall-arresters, Vertical life lines, and Rails
Z259.2.2-17 Self-retracting devices (R2022)
Z259.2.2-98 Self-Retracting Devices for Personal Fall-Arrest Systems
Z259.2.2-14,Self-retracting devices
Z259.2.3:16 Descent devices (R2020)
Z259.2.3-99 Descent Control Devices (R2010)
Z259.2.4-15 Fall arresters and vertical rigid rails
Z259.2.4-12 Fall arresters and vertical rigid rails
Z259.2.5-17 Fall arresters and vertical lifelines
Z259.2.5-12 Fall arresters and vertical lifelines (R2016)
Z259.3-M1978 Lineman's Body Belt and Lineman's Safety Strap
Z259.10-18 Full body harnesses
Z259.10-M90 Full Body Harnesses
Z259.10-06 Full Body Harnesses (R2011)
Z259.10-12 Full body harnesses (R2016)
Z259.11-M92 Shock Absorbers for Personal Fall- Arrest Systems
Z259.11-05 (R2015) Energy Absorbers and Lanyards
Z259.12-16 Connecting components for personal fallarrest systems (PFAS) (R2021)
Z259.12-01 Connecting Components for Personal Fall-Arrest Systems
Z259.12-11 Connecting components for personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) (R2016)
Z259.13-04 Flexible Horizontal Life Line Systems
Z259.13-16 Manufactured horizontal lifeline systems (R2020)
Z259.14-01 Fall Restricting Equipment for Wood Pole Climbing
Z259.14-12 Fall restrict equipment for wood pole climbing
Z259.15-17 Anchorage connectors
Z259.15-12 Anchorage connectors
Z259.16-21 Design of active fall-protection systems
Z259.16-04 Design of active fall-protection systems (R2014)
Z259.16-15 Design of active fall-protection systems
Z259.17-21 Selection and use of active fall-protection equipment and systems
Z259.17-16 Selection and use of active fall-protection equipment and systems (R2020)
Z271:20 Design of suspended access equipment
Z271-98 (R2004) Safety Code for Suspended Elevating Platforms
Z271-10 Safety Code for Suspended Platforms
Z797-18 Code of practice for access scaffold
Z797-09 Code of Practice for Access Scaffolds
OSH Answers Fact Sheets
Fall Protection - Fall Protection Plan (General)
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety Belts, Harnesses, and Lanyards