Top 5 Fall Protection Requirements for Ontario Construction Sites
5 min read
Falls are the single largest cause of serious injury and fatality on Ontario construction sites. Under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and Construction Projects Regulation (O. Reg. 213/91), employers are legally required to protect workers from fall hazards. Non-compliance can result in Ministry of Labour stop-work orders, significant fines, and — most importantly — preventable injuries. Here are the five most critical fall protection requirements every Ontario construction employer needs to understand.
- 1
Fall protection is required when working at heights of 3 metres or more
- 2
Working at Heights (WAH) training is mandatory for all workers who may be exposed to fall hazards
- 3
Guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) are all acceptable forms of protection
- 4
Employers must have a written rescue plan before workers use personal fall arrest equipment
- 5
Ladders must extend at least 1 metre above the landing surface
- 6
Fall protection plans must be site-specific and reviewed before work begins
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