Workers Compensation Board of Prince Edward Island
Falls from heights are a significant cause of work-related injuries on PEI and they can happen in a split-second. Serious injury or even death can occur when the required safe work practices for working at heights are not followed.
Most falls occur when workers become negligent while working at heights. No matter how experienced you are working at heights, do not become complacent to the risks of falling, as most falls occur unexpectedly.
Any person, working at a height of three meters or more, is required to have a fall protection system in place. This includes when working on scaffolding, on elevated work platforms, on roofs or on any other place that presents a fall hazard.
There are two types of fall protection systems, the travel restraint system and fall arrest system. Both require wearing a full body harness.
When working at a height of three meters or more:
Legislation: Guides:
Working At Heights
Falls from heights are a significant cause of work-related injuries on PEI and they can happen in a split-second. Serious injury or even death can occur when the required safe work practices for working at heights are not followed.
Most falls occur when workers become negligent while working at heights. No matter how experienced you are working at heights, do not become complacent to the risks of falling, as most falls occur unexpectedly.
Any person, working at a height of three meters or more, is required to have a fall protection system in place. This includes when working on scaffolding, on elevated work platforms, on roofs or on any other place that presents a fall hazard.
There are two types of fall protection systems, the travel restraint system and fall arrest system. Both require wearing a full body harness.
- The travel restraint system prevents a worker from getting too close to an unprotected edge which prevents the worker from falling.
- The fall arrest system prevents a falling worker from hitting the ground and preventing serious injury.
When working at a height of three meters or more:
- Make sure a fall protection system is in place.
- Make sure the fall arrest system worn is the right equipment for the task, that it fits the worker properly, that it is inspected and in good condition.
- Make sure workers are competent and have received training from a competent person to use fall protection.
- Make sure a written fall protection plan is developed in accordance with Section 3(11) of the Fall Protection Regulations.
Legislation: Guides:
- Fall Protection - OHS App
- Ladders - OHS App
- Guide to Fall Protection Regulations
- Guide to Workplace Safety for Roof Truss Installation
- Construction Safety Campaign - Safety Talks - Falls
- Construction Safety Campaign - Safety Talks - Ladders
- Roof Truss Collapse Hazard Alert
- Scissor Lift Hazard Alert
- Scaffolding Safety Talk
- Step Ladder Prevention Update
- Zero Tolerance for Fall Protection Violations
- Construction Safety Campaign - Harness Poster
- Construction Safety Campaign - Ladder Poster
- Working At Heights Poster - Scissor Lift
- Working From Heights Poster - Harness
- Working At Heights Poster - Ladder