Fall protection plan
OHS information for employers and workers
This resource provides information about occupational • Ensure workers using the fall protection system have
health and safety fall protection plans. access to all the most up-to-date information they need to
assemble, maintain, inspect, use, and disassemble it.
KEY INFORMATION • Ensure that practical rescue procedures have been
• Employers are required to prepare a fall protection plan prepared and are understood by workers.
when a worker may fall three metres or more and the
worker is not protected by guardrails. Required information
• The fall protection plan must include:
- The potential fall hazards at the work site. The fall protection plan must include the following
- The fall protection system being used. information:
- The anchors to be used during the work.
- Confirmation that clearance distances below the work The fall hazards at the work site
Workers and the employer must conduct a site-specific
area, if applicable, have been confirmed as sufficient to
hazard assessment and list the locations and circumstances
protect workers.
- The procedures used to assemble, maintain, inspect, at the work site where a worker could fall (such as a leading
edge, an unguarded opening, or a boom-supported work
use, and disassemble the fall protection system, where
platform).
applicable.
- Rescue procedures for workers who become
The fall protection system to be used at the work site
suspended after a fall. This should be a brief description of the system being used,
such as fall arrest, travel restraint, fall restrict, horizontal
lifeline, safety net, work positioning, or control zone. Note
When a fall protection plan is required that a single work site might have different fall hazards that
require different controls. These need to be separately
Section 140 of Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety
identified.
Code (OHS Code) requires employers to prepare a fall
protection plan when work-at-height situations meet both of The anchors to be used during the work
the following criteria: Describe the permanent and temporary (if used) anchors,
their locations, any special requirements such as the
• A worker may fall three metres or more.
materials and structures into which they can be installed,
• The worker is not protected by guardrails.
performance and load limits, and any other pertinent
information.
Purpose of the fall protection plan
Confirmation of sufficient clearance distances
The purpose of the fall protection plan is to:
The plan must confirm that clearance distances below the
work area, if applicable, are sufficient to prevent a worker
• Ensure employers and workers do enough planning before
beginning work at height to assess (and then eliminate or from striking the ground, an object, or a level below the work
control) fall hazards for workers. This includes choosing area. A work site may have several work areas with different
the most appropriate fall protection system and equipment clearance distances, depending on the design of the work
for the specific work site conditions. site and type of fall protection systems being used. If so, the
plan must confirm the safety of the clearance distances for
• Show that the employer determined the clearance
distance below the work area to ensure that if a worker each work area.
falls, they do not strike the ground, an object, or level
For convenience, the fall protection plan template at the end
below the work area. Inadequate clearance can result in
of this bulletin shows how to calculate clearance distances
serious injury or loss of life. If there is inadequate
for a fixed-length lanyard system.
clearance, a different type of fall protection system may be
required, or the work must be done differently.
Fall protection plan
©2023 Government of Alberta | Updated February 2023 | GS010
Classification: Public
The procedures used to assemble, maintain, inspect, use of different anchors or anchor locations, the introduction
use, and disassemble the fall protection system, where of new fall protection devices that have different procedures,
applicable or using an altogether different approach to fall protection.
These procedures are often found in manufacturer’s
specification for the equipment and other product Availability and review by workers
instructions. Procedures must provide practical and
understandable instruction to workers on how to properly The employer must ensure the fall protection plan is
assemble, maintain, inspect, use, and disassemble the fall available at the work site and is reviewed with workers
protection system. If these procedures are too lengthy to before work with a risk of falling begins. The employer must
include in the fall protection plan, the plan can simply make also ensure that the plan is updated when conditions
reference to these as separate documents, provided that the affecting fall protection change.
documents are available at the work site and are reviewed
by workers before beginning work where there is a fall Multiple work sites
hazard.
Even if there are similar hazards, fall protection equipment,
The rescue procedures to be used in the event of a fall and procedures at multiple work sites, the employer is still
If a worker falls and is suspended by a personal fall arrest required to ensure a site-specific fall protection plan is in
system or safety net and needs to be rescued, rescue place at each work site.
procedures must already be in place.
Although calling 9-1-1 may be part of a rescue response, Rope access
Alberta Occupational Health and Safety requires employers When conducting work requiring rope access, a special type
to have some means of basic rescue capability at the work of fall protection plan (called a “rope access safe work plan”)
site in case rescue services are delayed or cannot reach the is needed. The requirements for this rope access safe work
scene. Basic means of rescue may include: plan are specified in Section 809 of the OHS Code. Section
809 is under Part 41 of the OHS Code, which contains all the
• Having access to a man lift or scissor lift at the work site
requirements pertaining to work where rope access is
that is capable of reaching a suspended worker, and
needed.
someone that is able to competently operate the
equipment.
• Having ladders on-site that are capable of reaching a
suspended worker.
• Equipping workers with leg loop extensions for their full
body harnesses (suspension relief straps). These attach to
the full body harness, providing foot loops into which a
suspended worker can place their feet and then raise the
legs.
• From above the fallen worker’s suspended position, a
worker can lower a loop of rope into which the fallen
worker places their feet and can then stand up. It may also
allow the worker to connect to a descent system followed
by disconnection from their fall arrest system.
• Using a self-retracting device that includes an integral
hand winch that allows the suspended worker to be raised
upwards or lowered to safety.
• Equipping workers in certain situations with self-rescue
devices such as specialized descenders, which allow a
suspended worker to remove themselves from their
lanyard and descend to safety.
When to update the fall protection plan
The employer must ensure the plan is updated when
conditions affecting fall protection change. For example, this
may involve physical changes at the work site requiring the
Fall protection plan
©2023 Government of Alberta | Updated February 2023 | GS010
Classification: Public
Contact us For more information
OHS Contact Centre Fall protection plan: Information sheet for residential roofing
Anywhere in Alberta (GS010-1)
• 1-866-415-8690 ohs-pubstore.labour.alberta.ca/gs010-1
Edmonton and surrounding area
• 780-415-8690 Hazard Assessment and Control: a handbook for Alberta
Deaf or hard of hearing (TTY) employers and workers (BP018)
• 1-800-232-7215 (Alberta) ohs-pubstore.labour.alberta.ca/bp018
• 780-427-9999 (Edmonton)
Prime contractor roles and duties (LI018)
Notify OHS of health and safety concerns ohs-pubstore.labour.alberta.ca/li018
alberta.ca/file-complaint-online.aspx
Role and duties of Alberta OHS officers (LI046)
ohs-pubstore.labour.alberta.ca/li046
Call the OHS Contact Centre if you have concerns that
involve immediate danger to a person on a work site.
Report a workplace incident to OHS
alberta.ca/ohs-complaints-incidents.aspx
Website
alberta.ca/ohs
Get copies of the OHS Act,
Regulation and Code
Alberta King’s Printer
alberta.ca/alberta-kings-printer.aspx
OHS
alberta.ca/ohs-act-regulation-code.aspx
© 2023 Government of Alberta
This material is for information only. The information provided in this material is solely for the user’s information and con venience and, while thought to be accurate
and functional, it is provided without warranty of any kind. Neither the Crown, nor its agents, employees, or contractors will be liable to you for any damages, direct
or indirect, arising out of your use of the information contained in this material. If in doubt with respect to any informati on contained within this material, or for
confirmation of legal requirements, please refer to the current edition of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation, and Code, or other applicable
legislation. Further, if there is any inconsistency or conflict between any of the information contained in this material and the applicable legislative requirement, the
legislative requirement shall prevail. This material is current to February 2023. The law is constantly changing with new legislation, amendments to existing
legislation, and decisions from the courts. It is important that you keep yourself informed of the current law. This material, including copyright and marks under the
Trademarks Act (Canada), is owned by the Government of Alberta and protected by law. This publication is issued under the Open Government Licence – Alberta.
For details on the terms of this licence and commercial or non-commercial use of any materials in this publication, visit open.alberta.ca/licence. Note that the terms
of this licence do not apply to any licensed third-party materials that may be included in this publication .
Fall protection plan
©2023 Government of Alberta | Updated February 2023 | GS010
Classification: Public
Fall protection plan template
This is one example of a fall protection plan template. If you choose to use this template, make sure you customize it
to your work and work site.
Name of employer:
Work site (i.e. civic address):
Period for which this plan is valid:
Fall hazards at the work site
Identify the specific work area and circumstances where a worker could fall (e.g. “leading edge of second floor work area”,
“unguarded opening on third floor”, etc.)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Fall protection system(s) to be used at the work site
Brief description of the system(s) being used (fall arrest, travel restraint, fall restrict, horizontal lifeline, safety net, work
positioning, control zone, etc.)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Anchor(s) to be used
Locations of permanent and improvised (if used) anchors, any special requirements such as connecting hardware, type,
thickness, and condition of material to which the anchor is connected to ensure minimum required strength, etc. The employer
should ensure the site has adequate anchor points to minimize the possibility of a worker experiencing a swing fall.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Fall protection plan
©2023 Government of Alberta | Updated February 2023 | GS010
Classification: Public
Clearance requirement
This must be calculated (you can use the worksheet below for convenience). The distance the worker falls must be less than
the distance to the ground or an object or level below the work area (such as a balcony, mezzanine, or HVAC ducting).
Fall protection plan
©2023 Government of Alberta | Updated February 2023 | GS010
Classification: Public
Procedures to assemble, maintain, inspect, use and disassemble the fall protection system
Procedures for simple systems can be listed here. For complex systems, it is acceptable to reference procedures that appear
elsewhere as a separate document. The procedures must be readily available for reference at the work site. This can mean a
paper copy of the instructions on site or an electronic copy that is downloaded to a tablet, laptop, or smartphone. The
information must be retrievable without an internet connection so that the person needing it has access to it at all times.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Rescue procedures
List the rescue procedures that are in place to quickly return a worker to safety if the worker is left suspended as a result of a
fall.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Worker sign-off
The employer must ensure all workers affected by this fall protection plan have reviewed it. As an example of a way to fulfil
that requirement, this template asks workers to sign off on the plan. However, employers are free to determine the best way to
fulfil this requirement at their particular work site.
Worker Name: ___________________________________ Signature: ___________________________________
Worker Name: ___________________________________ Signature: ___________________________________
Worker Name: ___________________________________ Signature: ___________________________________
Worker Name: ___________________________________ Signature: ___________________________________
This template is for example purposes only. Completing this template alone will not necessarily put you in compliance with legislation. It
is important and necessary that you customize this document to meet the unique circumstances of your work site. Further, it is essential
that this document is not only completed, but is used, communicated, and implemented in accordance with the legislation. Neither the
Crown, nor its agents, employees, or contractors, will be liable to you for any damages, direct or indirect, arising out of your use of this
template.
Fall protection plan
©2023 Government of Alberta | Updated February 2023 | GS010
Classification: Public
