The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) provides important compliance codes for rooftop fall protection

CCOHS Safety Codes for Working at Heights

Most jurisdictions require the use of specific fall protection measures before, or in addition to, personal protective equipment (PPE). These measures generally include the use of some of the following:

• fixed barriers (e.g., handrails, guardrails)
• surface opening protection (e.g., covers, guardrails, etc.)
• warning barriers/control zones
• fall or travel restraint systems (i.e., a system to prevent a worker from falling from a work position, or from travelling to an unguarded edge from which the worker could fall)
• fall containment system (e.g., safety nets)
• fall arrest systems (i.e., a system that will stop a worker’s fall before the worker hits the surface below) Occupational health and safety laws generally require action when a worker has the potential to fall about 3 metres (10 feet). In most cases, fall protection is required when:
• other means of fall protection are not available or possible, such as guardrails
• working at a height of 3 metres or more (permanent and/or temporary work areas)
• working at a height of less than 3 metres when the surface below could cause a greater injury than just the fall
• a worker may fall through an opening in the work surface
• it is determined that fall protection is necessary

What are the sources of legislation regarding fall protection?

• Federal [Canada] Canada Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, SOR/86-304, Sections 12.01 to 12.09
• Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code, 191/2021 Part 9, Fall Protection Sections 138 - 161
• British Columbia Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, B.C. Reg. 296/97 Part 11, Fall Protection, Sections 11.1 to 11.10
• Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Man. Reg. 217/2006 Part 14, Fall Protection, Sections 14.1 to 14.29
• New Brunswick General Regulation -N.B. Reg. 91-191 Part VII, Protective Equipment, Sections 49 - 51
• Newfoundland and Labrador Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012, N.L.R. 5/12 Part X, Fall Protection, Sections 138 to 146
• Northwest Territories Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, R-039-2015 Part 7, Personal Protective Equipment, Sections 103 to 109 and Part 9 Safeguards, storage, warning signs and signals, Sections 118 to 124
• Nova Scotia Workplace Health and Safety Regulations, N.S. Reg. 52/2013 Part 21, Fall Protection, Sections 21.1 to 21.4
• Nunavut Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. R-039-2015, Part 7 Sections 104 to 109, and Part 9, Sections 118 to 122
• Ontario Construction Projects, O. Reg. 213/91 Sections 26 - 26.9 and Industrial Establishments, R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 851 Section 85
• Prince Edward Island Fall Protection Regulations, EC2004-633
• Quebec Regulation respecting occupational health and safety, O.C. 885-2001 Division XXX, Means and Equipment for Individual and Group Protection Sections 347 - 354.1 and Safety Code for the construction industry R.R.Q. 1981, c. S-2.1, r. 6 Division II, General Provisions Sections 2.9.1 to 2.9.3, Safety measures
• Saskatchewan Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 Sections 9-2 - 9-5
• Yukon Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, O.I.C. 2006/178 Protective Equipment and Clothing - Fall Arrest Sections 1.37 to 1.43

Find more information from CCOHS about fall protection and working at heights:

CLICK HERE for the CCOHS General Fall Protection Legislation Page

For information from CCOHS on specific rooftop hazards and requirements:

• Fall Protection - Fall Protection Plan (General)
• Fall Protection - Travel Restraint System
• Body Belts, Harnesses and Lanyards
• Fall Protection - Guardrails