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British Columbia Fall Protection Regulation

Source: Worksafe BC

Non-penetrating guardrail standard

11.2 Obligation to use fall protection


(1) Unless elsewhere provided for in this Regulation, an employer must ensure that a fall protection system is used when work is being done at a place

(a) from which a fall of 3 m (10 ft) or more may occur, or
(b) where a fall from a height of less than 3 m involves a risk of injury greater than the risk of injury from the impact on a flat surface.

(2) The employer must ensure that guardrails meeting the requirements of Part 4 (General Conditions) or other similar means of fall restraint are used when practicable.

(3) If subsection (2) is not practicable, the employer must ensure that another fall restraint system is used.

(4) If subsection (3) is not practicable, the employer must ensure that one of the following is used:

(a) a fall arrest system;
(b) a rope access system that meets the requirements of Part 34.

(5) If subsection (4) is not practicable, or will result in a hazard greater than if a fall arrest system or a rope access system was not used, the employer must ensure that work procedures are followed that are acceptable to the Board and minimize the risk of injury to a worker from a fall.

(6) Before a worker is allowed into an area where a risk of falling exists, the employer must ensure that the worker is instructed in the fall protection system for the area and the procedures to be followed.

(7) A worker must use the fall protection system provided by the employer.

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 420/2004, effective January 1, 2005.]
[Amended by B.C. Reg. 199/2014, effective February 1, 2015.]

Source: WorkSafe BC (Part 11 Fall Protection)

B.C. Reg. 296/97
Roof access hatch

4.59 Floor and roof openings

(1) A pit or other opening in a floor, walkway, roof or other area accessible to workers, which is a danger to workers, must be securely covered with a cover of adequate size and strength or guarded by fixed or movable guardrails, which must be identified as such and kept in place except when necessarily removed to work in the opening or pit.

(2) If compliance with subsection (1) is not practicable for a vehicle service pit, the area around the perimeter of the pit must be marked in a high visibility colour extending back at least 1 m (3.3 ft) from the edge of the pit, and the marking coating or material must provide a skid resistant surface.

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a trap door in a performance stage or scenic unit that will be visible to the audience during a rehearsal or performance, provided that effective measures are taken to protect performers and other workers from injury.

(4) If a worker must enter an area not normally accessible and that has openings that are a danger, such openings must be guarded or personal fall protection must be used while the worker is in the area.

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 312/2003, effective October 29, 2003.]

4.60 Toeboards

(1) Floor openings, elevated walkways and platforms must have toeboards if there is a danger from tools, materials, equipment and debris falling off the edge of the work surface, or there is a danger of slipping off the work surface due to the environment or work practices being used.

(2) The top of a toeboard must be at least 10 cm (4 in) above the floor or platform, and the space between the bottom of the toeboard and the floor or platform must not exceed 13 mm (1/2 in).

(3) If material is stacked or stored on a platform or walkway, or near a floor opening, toeboards must be increased in height or solid or mesh panels of appropriate height must be installed to prevent the material from falling.

(4) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to a walkway or a platform that is on a performance stage or scenic unit and will be visible to the audience during a rehearsal or performance, provided that effective measures are taken to protect performers and other workers from injury.

Source: OHS Regulation Part 4: General Conditions

20.116 Protection from falling materials

(1) If falling material could endanger a worker, the danger area must be guarded to prevent entry by workers or protected by adequate canopies.

(2) A floor or roof opening through which material may fall and endanger workers must be adequately covered.

Source: OHS Regulation Part 20: Construction, Excavation and Demolition

24.85 Deck openings

(1) Deck openings and hatches on a fishing vessel must be

(a) equipped with an effective means of securing them, and
(b) closed and secured when it is not essential to the fishing operation that they be open.

(2) When deck openings and hatches are required to be open for ventilation or other purposes, they must be marked and guarded.

Source: OHS Regulation Part 24: Diving, Fishing and Other Marine Operations