do ladders with cages in alberta need fall arrest?

In Alberta, the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code outlines specific requirements for fall protection when working on fixed ladders or climbable structures. For fixed ladders or climbable structures installed after March 31, 2023, at a height of 3 meters or more, the OHS Code requires continuous fall protection if a worker is not protected by a guardrail. This can be achieved by:

• Equipping the ladder with an integral fall protection system that meets specific standards.
• Using an alternate fall protection system. [1] [1]

Acceptable standards for integral fall protection systems include:

• CSA Standard Z259.2.4-15, Fall arresters and vertical rigid rails
• CSA Standard Z259.2.5-17, Fall arresters and vertical lifelines
• ANSI/ASSE Standard Z359.1-2007, Safety requirements for personal fall arrest systems, subsystems and components [1]

For portable ladders where a worker may fall 3 meters or more, a personal fall arrest system is required. However, this requirement does not apply while the worker is moving up or down the ladder. [2] [2]

Even if a personal fall arrest system is not practical, a worker may work from a portable ladder without fall protection if:

• The work is a light duty task of short duration at each location.
• The worker's center of balance is at the center of the ladder at all times, even with an arm extended beyond the side rails.
• The worker maintains 3-point contact whenever extending an arm beyond a side rail. [2]

In general, fall protection is required when a worker may fall:

• 3 meters or more at a temporary or permanent work area.
• Less than 3 meters at a temporary or permanent work area if there is an unusual possibility of injury.
• Into or onto a hazardous substance or object, or through an opening in a work surface.
• More than 1.2 meters and less than 3 meters at a permanent work area. [3]

The hierarchy of fall protection measures is as follows:

1. Install a guardrail. 2. If a guardrail is not reasonably practicable, use a travel restraint system. 3. If a travel restraint system is not reasonably practicable, use a personal fall arrest system. 4. If a personal fall arrest system is not reasonably practicable, use equally effective controls. [3]