what is fall protection in alberta

Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code outlines specific regulations for fall protection systems and equipment to prevent falls from heights. These regulations cover various aspects, including general fall protection requirements, the use of personal protective equipment, and the implementation of fall protection plans.

Employers must ensure workers are protected from falls when working at heights of 3 meters or more, or less than 3 meters if there is an unusual possibility of injury, or when working near hazardous substances or objects. The code prioritizes the use of guardrails, travel restraint systems, and personal fall arrest systems, in that order. If none of these are reasonably practicable, equally effective controls must be used. [4] [4] [4] [4]

When work at height cannot be avoided, a fall protection plan is required. This plan must detail fall hazards, the fall protection systems to be used, anchor points, clearance distances, and rescue procedures. [6] [7] [7]

Workers must be trained in the safe use of fall protection systems, including Alberta legislation, understanding fall protection plans, identifying hazards, selecting anchors, using connecting hardware, understanding the effects of a fall on the body, pre-use inspection, emergency response procedures, and practicing the inspection, fitting, and connecting of fall protection systems. [7] [7]

Specific requirements for equipment include:

• Full body harnesses manufactured after March 31, 2023, must meet specific standards such as CSA Standard Z259.10-18.
• Body belts must only be used as part of a travel restraint system or fall restrict system and must be approved to CSA Standard Z259.1-05 or other equivalent standards if manufactured after July 1, 2009.
• Lanyards manufactured after March 31, 2023, must be approved to CSA Standard Z259.11-17 or equivalent standards.
• Connectors, carabiners, and snap hooks manufactured after March 31, 2023, must meet CSA Standard Z259.2.5-17 or equivalent standards and must be self-closing and self-locking.
• Fall arresters manufactured after March 31, 2023, must be approved to CSA Standard Z259.2.4-15 or equivalent standards.
• Self-retracting devices manufactured after March 31, 2023, must be approved to CSA Standard Z259.2.2-17 and anchored above the worker's head.
• Life safety ropes manufactured after March 31, 2023, must be approved to CSA Standard Z259.2.4-15 or CSA Standard Z259.2.5-17.

[1] [1] [1] [3] [3] [2] [2] [2] The employer is responsible for ensuring that all components of a fall protection system are compatible and that equipment is regularly inspected, maintained, and removed from service if defective or damaged. [5] [5] [5]