Fall Protection Awareness Course: Lessons 2026

Lesson 1: Falls and when protection is needed

Falls from height can cause serious injury or death. Fall protection is any method that keeps a worker from falling or safely stops a fall that has started.

Each province and territory, and the federal government for federally regulated workplaces, sets its own fall protection rules. Across Canada the usual trigger is a possible fall of 3 metres or more.

Many rules also require protection for shorter falls when a worker could land on something dangerous, such as operating machinery, water, a hazardous substance or an opening in a floor.

Lesson 2: The hierarchy of fall protection

Fall controls are ranked from most to least effective. Use the highest level that is possible.

1. Elimination: remove the need to work at height, for example by using a drone or camera for an inspection, or lowering an object to the ground to work on it.
2. Engineering controls: guardrails, covers over holes, scaffolds and mobile elevating work platforms.
3. Administrative controls: rules and procedures, such as warning lines workers are trained not to cross, controlled access zones, and assembling parts on the ground before lifting them into place.
4. Personal protective equipment: travel restraint, fall arrest and safety nets.

Alberta's OHS Code sets a similar order. First comes a guardrail. If that is not reasonably practicable, use a travel restraint system. If that is not reasonably practicable, use a personal fall arrest system. Last comes another equally effective method.

Guardrails

Guardrails are usually the best protection at an edge because they do not depend on worker training or on a worker wearing equipment correctly. A guardrail has a top rail, a mid-rail, toe boards and posts. Toe boards help stop tools and materials from going over the edge.

Guardrails should be in place before work starts. Other protection is needed while they are being installed.

Lesson 3: Harness systems, anchors and clearance

Parts of a fall arrest system

• Anchor: a secure connection point that is strong enough for the job
• Full body harness: in Alberta, the only harness allowed for fall arrest; body belts are not allowed
• Lanyard or lifeline: connects the harness to the anchor
• Energy absorber: lowers the force on your body when the fall stops
• Connectors: snap hooks, carabiners and rope grabs

Fall protection equipment is covered by the CSA Z259 series of standards, such as CSA Z259.10 for full body harnesses. A standard is enforceable when a jurisdiction's law adopts it.

Anchors

Use only anchors chosen for the job. Under BC's regulation, as CCOHS explains, a temporary fall arrest anchor must hold at least 22 kN (5,000 lb) in every direction, or two times the maximum arrest force. Do not tie off to roof vents, roof hatches, small pipes, stair or balcony railings, TV antennas or air-conditioning units.

Clearance and swing falls

A fall arrest system needs room to work. The clearance below you must be more than the distance you could fall before the system stops you. That includes the lanyard, the stretched energy absorber and harness, and a safety margin. If the anchor is off to one side, you can swing like a pendulum after a fall. This swing fall can slam you into a wall or other object.

Inspect all equipment before each use. A competent person decides whether damaged gear can be repaired or must be taken out of service. Anchors should be tested after any fall.

Lesson 4: Fall protection plans and rescue

Some jurisdictions require a written fall protection plan at the site before work starts. In Alberta, a plan is needed where a worker may fall 3 m or more and is not protected by guardrails. In BC, a plan is needed where workers without permanent guardrails could fall 7.5 m (25 ft) or more, and in some other cases.

A site fall protection plan usually covers:

• the fall hazards at the site
• the type of fall protection and the anchor points to be used
• the clearance needed below the work
• how to inspect, set up, use and remove the equipment
• rescue procedures for a worker hanging after a fall

Why rescue must be fast

A worker caught by a fall arrest system is not safe yet. Hanging in a harness lets blood pool in the legs, which reduces the oxygen that reaches the brain. This is called suspension trauma. CCOHS warns that death may occur in less than 30 minutes.

While waiting, a worker can use a relief strap or foot loop or pump their legs to keep blood moving. Anyone who has fallen should go to hospital to be checked, even if they feel fine, because injuries such as kidney damage may not show right away.

Lesson 5: Training and your role

The law requires real training before anyone uses fall protection. For example:

• Alberta: workers must be trained in the safe use of the fall protection system before they use it.
• British Columbia: workers must be instructed in the fall protection system and procedures before working where they could fall.
• Federal: employees who use protective equipment must be trained by a qualified person, including on the fall protection plan.
• Ontario construction: workers who use fall protection must complete a working at heights program and provider approved by Ontario's Chief Prevention Officer. It is valid for 3 years, then a refresher is needed.

This course is background knowledge only. It does not replace that training and does not qualify you to use fall protection equipment.

If you are a guard or site worker

• Do not go onto roofs, edges or platforms unless your job requires it and you are trained and equipped.
• Stay behind warning lines and out of controlled access zones.
• Report missing guardrails, uncovered holes and damaged equipment right away.
• If someone falls and is left hanging, call for help at once and start the site's rescue plan.