Fall Protection Plans in Alberta: Required Content and Practical Use

Confirm when fall protection is required

Section 139 applies in the circumstances set out by the Code, including exposure to a fall of 3 metres or more and certain lower-height hazards where the surface or object below increases the risk of injury. Review the complete section against the work rather than using height as the only decision factor.

Identify:

• open edges, floor openings and fragile surfaces;
• ladders, scaffolds, elevated platforms and mobile equipment;
• work near pits, tanks, machinery, rebar or dangerous materials;
• roof slope, surface condition and weather;
• access and egress routes;
• dropped-object and swing-fall hazards; and
• other work that could affect the fall-protection system.

Use the hierarchy in section 139

Consider eliminating the exposure by completing the work from the ground or changing the design or sequence. Where exposure remains, use the control methods required by the section, giving priority to methods that prevent the fall.

Guardrails, travel restraint and other fall-prevention methods normally provide stronger protection than a system that arrests a fall after it occurs. The selected system must be appropriate for the task, structure, workers and conditions.

Personal fall-arrest equipment should not be treated as the default without assessing clearance, anchor strength, swing fall, rescue and equipment compatibility.

When a written fall protection plan is required

Under s. 140, a fall protection plan is required when work at a work site may expose a worker to a fall of 3 metres or more and guardrails are not being used.

The plan must be available at the work site and reviewed with affected workers before the work begins. It must be updated when conditions change in a way that affects the plan.

Required content of the plan

Section 140 requires the plan to address:

• the fall hazards at the work site;
• the fall protection system to be used;
• the anchors to be used;
• the clearance distances below the work area;
• the procedures to assemble, maintain, inspect, use and disassemble the system; and
• the rescue procedures to be used if a worker falls and is suspended by a personal fall-arrest system or safety net.

Each item should contain enough site-specific information for the crew to apply it. A generic statement such as “use approved fall protection” does not identify an anchor, clearance or rescue method.

Identify the work and fall hazards

Describe the exact location, elevation, task, work surface and access route. Include hazards created by other work, moving equipment, weather, power lines, openings, fragile materials and the potential for dropped objects.

Confirm the limits of the protected work area. Workers should know where the system is effective and where additional controls or authorization are required.

Select and verify anchors

The plan must identify the anchors. Do not rely on appearance or convenience. Verify the anchor against the applicable Alberta requirements, system design, manufacturer instructions and any engineering specifications.

Where an anchor or structure requires design or certification by a professional engineer, obtain and retain the required documentation. Protect lifelines and connectors from sharp edges, heat, chemicals and other damage.

Calculate clearance and swing fall

Clearance depends on the equipment and system configuration. Consider lanyard or self-retracting device behaviour, deceleration distance, harness stretch, worker height, connector length, anchor position and a suitable safety margin.

Use the manufacturer’s current instructions and system information. A generic clearance value may be unsafe. Account for swing fall where the worker can move laterally from the anchor and strike a lower level or structure.

Equipment compatibility, inspection and use

The plan should identify the harness, connectors, lanyards, lifelines, self-retracting devices and other components. Confirm they are compatible as a system and suitable for the work.

Workers must inspect equipment before use as required. The employer must also follow the applicable inspection, maintenance and removal-from-service requirements. Remove equipment from service after a fall or when damage, contamination, modification or an overdue inspection affects its safety.

Keep manufacturer instructions available where workers and supervisors can use them.

Training and demonstrated competency

Section 141 specifies fall-protection training requirements, including the fall hazards, the system and equipment, procedures and practical training. Training should address the actual equipment and site conditions.

Verify competency through practical demonstration. A worker should be able to:

• inspect and fit the harness;
• select and use the authorized connection points;
• maintain the required restraint or arrest configuration;
• recognize inadequate clearance and swing-fall exposure;
• respond to an equipment defect or changing condition; and
• explain the rescue and communication process.

Provide retraining when equipment, systems, work conditions or procedures change, or when observation shows the worker is not applying the training.

Plan rescue before work starts

Section 140 requires rescue procedures when a worker could be suspended by a personal fall-arrest system or safety net. Prompt rescue is important because suspension can create serious medical risk.

The plan should identify:

• how the fall will be detected and reported;
• who will lead and perform the rescue;
• the rescue method and required equipment;
• how rescuers will be protected from falls and other hazards;
• how emergency services will be contacted and directed to the location;
• how the worker will be reached, released and lowered or raised; and
• first-aid and post-rescue actions.

Calling 911 is not, by itself, a site-specific rescue method. Confirm external responder capability, access and expected timing, and provide the onsite actions needed until help arrives.

Pre-work review and field verification

Before work begins, the supervisor and affected workers should confirm:

1. The plan matches the location and task.
2. The anchor and system are the ones identified in the plan.
3. Clearance and swing-fall conditions remain acceptable.
4. Equipment inspections are complete.
5. Workers are trained, competent and fit for the task.
6. The rescue method, personnel and equipment are available.
7. Weather and simultaneous work do not invalidate the controls.
8. Everyone understands the stop-work conditions.

Stop-work conditions

Stop or do not start work when:

• the plan is missing or does not match the task;
• the anchor is not identified or verified;
• clearance is inadequate or unknown;
• equipment is damaged, incompatible or overdue for inspection;
• the rescue arrangement is unavailable;
• weather, access or other work changes the hazard; or
• a worker is not trained or cannot demonstrate the required use.

Records and review

Retain the plan, training and competency records, equipment inspection information, engineering or manufacturer documentation where applicable, rescue-drill records and corrective actions. Base retention on verified legal, contractual, audit and organizational requirements.

Review the plan after a fall, near miss, equipment issue, change in work, worker concern or evidence that a control was not effective.

Official source

Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code, Part 9 — Fall Protection, including ss. 139–141.

Source verification date: November 6, 2026. This draft requires CRSP review and field validation by knowledgeable workers, supervisors and any required engineering or manufacturer representative before publication or use.

John Duplessis, B.Sc., CRSP

Canadian Registered Safety Professional

This draft remains subject to the author’s professional review and approval before publication.