Fall protection is required when working at heights where a person could fall and be injured. This includes falls from a step ladder, off a roof, or through an unguarded hole. Fall protection may also be required when working above an open top tank, bin, hopper, or vat. Occupational health and safety laws generally require action when a worker has the potential to fall about 3 metres (10 feet). [1] [4]

Key measures include:

• 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)

[4] 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. [4]

A site-specific fall protection plan will incorporate many items, including:

• Site location (address, description, work area, tasks)
• Site-specific fall hazards (e.g., maximum height(s), roof slope if applicable, proximity to power lines, ground cover, etc.)
• Type of fall protection to be used
• Protection to be used, including anchor points, and clearance requirements
• Procedures for fall protection equipment inspection, set-up, use, and removal
• Any other requirements before beginning work (e.g., presence of first aid or rescue personnel, other safety equipment, barricades, etc.)
• Rescue procedures
• Worker sign off

[3] Employers must develop written fall protection policy and procedures relevant for the workplace, identify all areas where there is a potential of injury due to fall, prioritize using passive fall arrest systems, such as guardrails, travel restraint, or fall- restricting systems over only relying on personal fall arrest systems and develop fall arrest rescue procedures which detail how to return workers safely to the ground after a fall has been arrested. [3]

Workers and supervisors should be educated and trained to understand and properly fulfill their role in fall protection and prevention. Workers should have easy access to policies and procedures so the directions can be reviewed when needed. Workers should be instructed in all of the fall-protection methods or systems used and, in the post-fall rescue procedure before being allowed into an area where there is a risk of falling. [2]

A worker must alert the supervisor about previous unidentified fall hazards before beginning or continuing any work, participate in fall protection planning where relevant and when requested, follow fall protection legal requirements and workplace policy and procedures, actively participate in fall protection education and training and wear and use all protective equipment, clothing, or devices appropriately, as determined by the employer. [2]

A rescue plan will detail how to return fallen workers to a place of safety while keeping rescuers safe. Designated rescuers must be adequately trained and have easy access to all the equipment they need to effectively rescue others safely and as quickly as possible. [5]

A rescue plan should:

• Be written and posted before work begins.
• Designate, educate, and train those who will conduct the rescue.
• Identify on-site first aid personnel and include all contact information.
• List the first aid equipment thatmust be on site.
• Provide contact information for local emergency medical and fire services, if needed.
• Identify all emergency exits and access routes within the worksite.
• Identify all available systems of communications. Make sure there is a backup system for the primary mode of communication.
• Include procedures for rescue, including rope rescue, retrieval lines, location of anchor points, etc.
• Include procedures for using any powered mobile equipment, mechanical hoisting systems or elevating devices that may be required during the rescue.
• Detail procedures necessary to clear and secure work areas while they remain unsafe or if any ongoing work would obstruct a rescue.
• Educate and train workers performing work at height so they understand what they must do after a fall and during a rescue operation.
• Be reviewed and amended on a regular schedule, after relevant changes to the worksite, and after all rescues or related incidents.

[6]