Table of Contents
Guardrails and Toeboards
Date: August 2019
Prepared by CCOHS
The links below provide an overview of legislation on when and how to use a guardrail system. When guardrails are not practical look to other means of preventing or arresting falls according to the regulations of each local jurisdiction. In many cases, guardrails are the most reliable and convenient means of fall protection. Guardrails may also be a temporary solution, until a falling hazard is removed or a more permanent solution is installed.
Workplaces are responsible for knowing what is legal in their province or territory as well as any affecting worksites in other jurisdictions and employees when working in another jurisdiction.
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 II, Permanent Structures
Section 2.5, Floor and Wall Openings
Section 2.6, Open-top Bins, Hoppers, Vats and Pits
Part III, Temporary Structures and Excavations
Section 3.8 Guardrails and Toe Boards
Part XII, Protection Equipment And Other Preventive Measures
Section 12.06, Fall-protection plan
Sections 12.07 - 12.08, Fall-protection Systems
Alberta
As made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, S.A. 2017, c. O‑2.1,
Occupational Health and Safety Code, 2009
Part 9, Fall Protection
Section 139, General protection
Part 22, Safeguards
Section 314, Covering openings
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
Part 4, General Conditions
Section 4.55, Guardrail locations
Section 4.57, Elevated workers
Section 4.58, Specifications for guards and guardrails
Section 4.58.1, Temporary removal of guardrails
Section 4.59, Floor and roof openings
Section 4.62, Handrails on stairways
Schedule 4-A WorkSafeBC Standard - Guardrails Using Rope or Other Non-Rigid Material Scope
Manitoba
As made under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, R.S.M. 1987, c. W210,
Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Man. Reg. 217/2006
Part 14, Fall Protection
Section 14.2, Safe work procedures
Section 14.3, Guardrail system requirements
Section 14.4, Guardrail requirements
Section 14.5, Temporary guardrail removal
New Brunswick
As amended by the Occupational Health and Safety Act, A.N.B. 1983, c. O-0.2,
General Regulation - Occupational Health And Safety Act, N.B. Reg. 91-191
Part X, Construction, Traffic and Building Safety
Section 101, Allowable Unit Stresses
Section 102 - Section 106.1, Walking Surfaces
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
Part V, General Health and Safety Requirements
Part X, Fall Protection
Section 141, General requirements
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 9, Safeguards, Storage, Warning Signs and Signals
Part 28, Demolition Work
Section 419, Demolition procedures
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
Part 21, Fall protection
Section 21.2, Fall protection required
Nunavut
As amended by Safety Act, R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. S-1,
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, R-003-2016
Part 9, Safeguards, Storage, Warning Signs and Signals
Part 28, Demolition Work
Section 419, Demolition procedures
Ontario
As made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O,
Construction Projects, O. Reg. 213/91
Part II, General Construction
Sections 26 - 26.3 and Section 77
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
Part 21, Platforms, Runways and Ramps
Fall Protection Regulations, EC2004-633
Guardrails
Section 4, Construction and installation requirements
Quebec
As made under the Act Respecting Occupational Health and Safety, R.S.Q., c. S-2.1,
Regulation respecting occupational health and safety, O.C. 885-2001
Division III, Establishment Conditions
Section 31, Gangways and stationary platforms
Safety Code for the Construction Industry, CQLR c. S-2.1, r. 4
Division II, General Provisions
Sections 2.9.1, Safety measures
Section 2.9.2, Installation of guard-rails
Division III, Construction Sites
Section 3.2.4, Maintenance and arrangement of the work site
Section 3.8.4 , Metal guardrails
Saskatchewan
As made under the Saskatchewan Employment Act, S.S. 2013, c. S-15.1,
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996, R.R.S., C. O-1.1, R. 1
Part IX, Safeguards, Storage, Warning Signs and Signals
Section 124, Openings in floors, roofs, etc.
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
Part 1, General
Section 1.62, Elevated workers