Table of Contents
Training Requirements when Working at Heights
Last Updated: August 2022
Prepared by CCOHS
Listed below is the selected legislation dealing with training requirements for those working at heights across federal and provincial jurisdictions. Since legislation interpretation and enforcement varies by jurisdiction, contact your jurisdiction as listed in Canadian Governmental Occupational Health & Safety Departments (http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/information/govt.html).
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.
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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 Safety Materials, Equipment, Devices and Clothing
Section 12.07 Fall-protection Systems
12.07 (1) Subject to subsection (2), an employer must provide or put in place a fall-protection system if work is to be performed
(a) from a structure or on a vehicle at a height of 3 m or more;
(b) from a ladder at a height of 3 m or more if, because of the nature of the work, the person performing it is unable to use at least one hand to hold onto the ladder; or
(c) at a height of less than 3 m if the surface onto which the person might fall would present a greater risk of injury than a solid, flat surface.
(2) If an employee is required to work on a vehicle and it is not feasible to provide or put in place a fall-protection system, an employer must
(a) in consultation with the policy committee or, if there is no policy committee, the work place committee or the health and safety representative,
(i) perform a job safety analysis to eliminate or minimize the need for the employee to climb onto the vehicle or its load, and
(ii) provide every employee who could be required to climb onto the vehicle or its load with instruction and training by a qualified person on the safe method of climbing onto it and working there;
(b) make a report in writing to the Head of Compliance and Enforcement setting out the reasons why it is not feasible to provide or put in place a fall-protection system and include in that report the job safety analysis and a description of the instruction and training referred to in paragraph (a); and
(c) provide a copy of the report referred to in paragraph (b) to the policy committee or, if there is no policy committee, the work place committee or the health and safety representative.
(3) The job safety analysis, instruction and training referred to in paragraph (2)(a) must be reviewed every two years in consultation with the policy committee or, if there is no policy committee, the work place committee or the health and safety representative.
Section 12.2 Instruction and Training
12.2 (1) An employer must ensure that every person who is granted access to a work place and who uses protection equipment is provided with instruction by a qualified person in the use of that equipment.
(2) The employer must ensure that, in addition to the instruction referred to in subsection (1), every employee who uses protection equipment is provided with instruction and training by a qualified person in the operation and maintenance of the equipment and training by a qualified person in its use.
(3) If a fall-protection plan has been developed for a work place under paragraph 12.06(1)(a), the employer must ensure that every employee is provided with training by a qualified person in respect of the fall-protection plan.
(4) If there is a risk of drowning in a work place, the employer must ensure that every person who is granted access to the work place is provided with instruction by a qualified person in respect of the written emergency procedures referred to in paragraph 12.15(1)(e).
(5) The employer must ensure that the instruction and training referred to in subsections (1) to (4) is summarized in writing and must keep a copy of that summary readily available for consultation by every person who is granted access to the work place.
Maritime Occupational Safety and Health Regulations (SOR/2010-120)
Part 10 Protection Equipment
144. (5) An employer must train and instruct every employee required to install or remove a fall-protection system in a work place in the procedures to be followed for the installation or removal of the system.
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
13.10 (5) Every employee required to install or remove a fall-protection system in a work place shall be instructed and trained by the employer in the procedures to be followed for the installation or removal of the system.
Section 13.19 Instructions and Training
13.19 (1) Every person granted access to the work place who uses protection equipment shall be instructed by the employer in the use of the equipment.
(2) Every employee who uses protection equipment shall be instructed and trained in the use, operation and maintenance of the equipment.
(3) Every person granted access to a work place shall be instructed in respect of the written emergency procedures referred to in paragraph 13.12(2)(d).
(4) The employer shall
(a) set out in writing and keep readily available for examination by the employees referred to in subsection (2), the instructions referred to in that subsection; and
(b) keep readily available for examination by every person granted access to the work place a copy of the emergency procedures referred to in paragraph 13.12(2)(d).
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)
Part 9 Fall Protection
Section 141 Instruction of workers
141. (1) An employer must ensure that a worker is trained in the safe use of the fall protection system before allowing the worker to work in an area where a fall protection system must be used.
(2) The training referred to in subsection (1) must include the following:
(a) a review of current Alberta legislation pertaining to fall protection;
(b) an understanding of what a fall protection plan is;
(c) fall protection methods a worker is required to use at a work site;
(d) identification of fall hazards;
(e) assessment and selection of specific anchors that the worker may use;
(f) instructions for the correct use of connecting hardware;
(g) information about the effect of a fall on the human body, including
(i) maximum arresting force,
(ii) the purpose of shock and energy absorbers,
(iii) swing fall, and
(iv) free fall;
(h) pre-use inspection;
(i) emergency response procedures to be used at the work site, if necessary;
(j) practice in
(i) inspecting, fitting, adjusting and connecting fall protection systems and
(ii) emergency response procedures.
(3) In addition to the training described in subsection (2), an employer must ensure that a worker is made aware of the fall hazards particular to that work site and the steps being taken to eliminate or control those hazards.
British Columbia
As made under the Workers Compensation Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 492),
Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (B.C. Reg. 296/97)
Part 11 Fall Protection
Article 11.2, Obligation to use fall protection
11.2 (6) Before a worker is allowed into an area where a risk of falling exists, the employer must ensure that the worker is instructed in the fall protection system for the area and the procedures to be followed.
Section 11.3, Fall protection plan
Manitoba
As made under the Workplace Safety and Health Act (C.P.L.M. 1987, c. W210),
Workplace Safety and Health Regulation (Man. Reg. 217/2006)
Part 14 Fall Protection
Section 14.2, Safe work procedures
14.2 (1) An employer must
(a) develop and implement safe work procedures to prevent falls at the workplace;
(b) train workers in the safe work procedures; and
(c) ensure that workers comply with the safe work procedures.
14.11 An employer must ensure that a worker using a fall protection system is trained in its use, care and inspection by a competent person.
Section 14.17 Fall protection on vehicles
14.17 When a worker may have to climb on a vehicle or its load at any location other than a garage, warehouse or other permanent facility and it is not reasonably practicable to provide a fall protection system for the worker, an employer must
(a) take steps to eliminate or reduce the need for a worker to climb onto the vehicle or its load; and
(b) provide information, instruction and training to a worker on safe work procedures for climbing or working on the vehicle or its load.
New Brunswick
As made under 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)
Part VII Protective Equipment
50.3 (1) An employer shall ensure that a competent person trains an employee in the use, maintenance and inspection of a fall-protection system for the task being performed unless the fall-protection system is a guardrail.
(2) The employer shall ensure that the competent person referred to in subsection (1), who provides the training, prepares a written training record which shall include the following information:
(a) the name of the employee who received the training;
(b) the date on which the training took place; and
(c) the name of the competent person and the name of the agency if any.
(3) The training record for each employee shall be made available to an officer upon request.
(4) An employer shall, in consultation with the committee or health and safety representative, if any, review annually or more frequently, if required by a change in work conditions or in the fall protection field, the training provided to employees concerning fall protection to determine if retraining is necessary.
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)
Section 139 Training requirement
139. A worker shall not use fall protection equipment after January 1, 2012 unless he or she has completed a training program on fall protection prescribed by the commission.
Northwest Territories
As made under the 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 90 General responsibilities
90. (1) An employer who is required by these regulations to provide personal protective equipment to a worker shall
[...]
(e) ensure that the worker is
(i) aware of the location of the personal protective equipment, and
(ii) trained in its use;
(f) inform the worker of the reasons why the personal protective equipment is required to be used and of the limitations of its protection; and
[...]
105. If a full body harness is required by these regulations, an employer shall ensure that
[...]
(c) the worker is trained in the safe use of the full body harness;
[...]
Part 9 Safeguards, Storage, Warning Signs and Signals
Section 120 Fall protection plan
120. (4) An employer shall ensure that a worker is trained in the fall protection plan and the safe use of the fall protection system before requiring or permitting the worker to work at a work site where a fall protection system is used.
See also:
Personal Protective Equipment - Fall Protection Code of Practice (November 30, 2018)
Nova Scotia
As made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (S.N.S. 1996, c. 7),
Workplace Health and Safety Regulations (N.S. Reg. 52/2013)
Fall-Protection Training, Sections 21.19 - 21.22
Nunavut
As made under 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 90 General responsibilities
90. (1) An employer who is required by these regulations to provide personal protective equipment to a worker shall
[...]
(e) ensure that the worker is
(i) aware of the location of the personal protective equipment, and
(ii) trained in its use;
105. If a full body harness is required by these regulations, an employer shall ensure that
[...]
(c) the worker is trained in the safe use of the full body harness;
See also:
Section 18 Training of workers
Ontario
As made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1),
Construction Projects (O. Reg. 213/91)
Part II General Construction
(1.1) In addition to the requirements of subsection (1), an employer shall ensure that a worker who may use a fall protection system meets the working at heights training requirements of Ontario Regulation 297/13 (Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training).
(2) The employer shall ensure that the person who provides the training and instruction referred to in subsection (1) prepares a written training and instruction record for each worker and signs the record.
(3) The training and instruction record shall include the worker's name and the dates on which training and instruction took place.
(4) The employer shall make the training and instruction record for each worker available to an inspector on request.
Part II General Construction
Sections 138 - 138.1 General Requirements: Worker Training
Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training (O. Reg. 297/13)
Section 7 Required training programs
Section 8 Training - period of validity
Section 9 Training requirements under O. Reg. 213/91
See also:
Training for working at heights
Prince Edward Island
As made under Occupational Health and Safety Act (S.P.E.I. 2004, c. 42),
Fall Protection Regulations (EC2004-633)
Section 2.1 Required training in use of a means of fall protection
Quebec
Act respecting occupational health and safety (CQLR c. S-2.1),
Part III Rights and Obligations
Division I The Worker
1. General rights
10. In accordance with this act and the regulations, the worker is entitled, in particular,
(1) to training, information and counselling services in matters of occupational health and safety, especially in relation to his work and his work environment, and to receive appropriate instruction, training and supervision;
(2) to receive the preventive and curative health services relating to the risks to which he may be exposed, and his wages for the time spent in undergoing a medical examination during employment prescribed for the application of this act and the regulations.
Division II The Employer
2. General obligations
[...]
(9) give the worker adequate information as to the risks connected with his work and provide him with the appropriate training, assistance or supervision to ensure that he possesses the skill and knowledge required to safely perform the work assigned to him;
[...]
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Employment Act (S.S. 2013, c. S-15.1),
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 (c. S-15.1 R.10)
Part 3 General Duties
Section 3-1 General duties of employers
12. The duties of an employer at a place of employment include:
[..]
(c) the provision of any information, instruction, training and supervision that is necessary to protect the health and safety of workers at work; and
[..]
Section 3-8 Training of workers
Section 3-11 Occupational health and safety program
3‑11(1). Subject to subsection (2), an occupational health and safety program required by section 3‑20 of the Act must include:
[..]
(g) a plan for training workers and supervisors in safe work practices and procedures, including any procedures, plans, policies or programs that the employer is required to develop pursuant to the Act or any regulations made pursuant to the Act that apply to the work of the workers and supervisors;
[..]
Part 7 Personal Protective Equipment
Section 7-17 Full‑body harness
7‑17. If a full‑body harness is used, an employer or contractor shall ensure that:
[..]
(c) the worker is trained in the safe use of the full‑body harness;
[..]
Part 9 Safeguards, Storage, Warning Signs and Signals
Section 9-3 Fall protection plan
9-3 (4) The employer or contractor shall ensure that a worker is trained in the fall protection plan and the safe use of the fall protection system before allowing the worker to work in an area where a fall protection system must be used.
Part 12 Scaffolds, Aerial Devices, Elevating Work Platforms and Temporary Supporting Structures
Section 12-19 Use of suspended powered scaffolds
12‑19 (1). An employer or contractor shall:
(a) develop work practices and procedures for the safe use of any suspended powered scaffold;
(b) train the workers in the procedures required pursuant to clause (a); and
Part 13 Hoists, Cranes and Lifting Devices
Section 13-9 Raising and lowering workers
13‑9(1). If a crane or hoist will be used to raise or lower workers, the employer or contractor shall:
(a) develop and implement work practices and procedures that will provide for the safe raising and lowering of the workers;
(b) train the workers in those work practices and procedures;
[..]
Part 14 Rigging
Section 14-2 General requirements
14‑2. An employer or contractor shall ensure that:
(a) all rigging is assembled, used, maintained and dismantled under the supervision of a competent worker and in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and instructions; and
(b) any worker who is required or permitted to assemble, use, maintain or dismantle rigging is trained in safe rigging practices.
Yukon
As amended by Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.Y. 2002, c. 159),
Occupational Health Regulation (O.I.C. 2006/178)
Part 1 General
Section 1.06 Training for workers
1.06 A worker shall only operate any tool, equipment, machinery or process if he or she is
(a) adequately trained in the safe operation of the equipment or process involved, and the related safe work procedure, and
(b) duly authorized, licensed and certified, where applicable, to do so.
Section 1.10 Availability of PPE
1.10 Appropriate personal protective equipment shall be
(a) readily available to workers, with appropriate training provided, and
(b) properly used, cleaned, inspected, maintained and stored.