Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304)

12.06 (1) If there is a risk of injury due to falling in any of the circumstances described in paragraphs 12.07(1)(a), (b) or (c) in a work place, the employer must, before any work activities begin,

• (a) develop a fall-protection plan in consultation with the work place committee or the health and safety representative; and

• (b) ensure that a copy of the fall-protection plan is readily available at the work place for consultation.

(2) The fall-protection plan must specify

• (a) the hazards that have been identified for each work area and each activity to be carried out at the work place;

• (b) the fall-protection systems that have been chosen to protect against the identified hazards;

• (c) if a personal fall-protection system is used, the anchorage to be used during the work;

• (d) if a fall-arrest system is used, the clearance distance below each work area;

• (e) if there are no manufacturer’s instructions with respect to the storage, maintenance, inspection, testing, fitting, installation, use or dismantling of equipment that is used in a fall-protection system and that is provided by an employer, the procedures to be followed for the purposes of paragraphs 12.05(1)(a) to (d); and

• (f) the rescue procedures to be followed if a person falls.

(3) The fall-protection plan must include, in annex, a copy of any manufacturer’s instructions with respect to the storage, maintenance, inspection, testing, fitting, installation, use or dismantling of equipment that is used in a fall-protection system and that is provided by an employer.

(4) The fall-protection systems referred to in paragraph (2)(b) are to be chosen in consultation with the work place committee or the health and safety representative, as appropriate for the work area and activity in question, taking into account the following order of priority:

• (a) passive fall-protection system;

• (b) fall-restraint system;

• (c) fall-arrest system; and

• (d) fall hazard zone system.

(5) The clearance distance referred to in paragraph (2)(d) must be sufficient to prevent a person from hitting the ground or an object or surface below the work area during a fall.