Fall Protection Plan
A fall protection plan is a written, site-specific document required by WorkSafeBC when workers are exposed to a fall of 7.5 m (25 ft) or more without permanent guardrails, or under section 11.2(5). It defines fall hazards, selected protection systems, assembly and use procedures, and rescue protocols for suspended workers.
In a manufacturing or shop-floor environment, the fall protection plan is used before any elevated task begins, such as work on mezzanines, elevated platforms, cranes/booms, rooftops accessed from the shop, dock edges, or maintenance above open floor levels. The plan must be available at the workplace before the risk of falling starts. It identifies specific hazards, the fall protection method for each task (e.g., guardrails, fall restraint, or fall arrest), anchorage points, clearance requirements, and rescue procedures. WorkSafeBC emphasizes a hierarchy: guardrails first, then fall restraint, then fall arrest, then other acceptable procedures.
Is a fall protection plan the same thing as wearing fall protection equipment?
No. The plan is the written administrative/engineering document that governs the work; the equipment is only one control within that plan.
Does every fall hazard require a written plan in BC?
No. WorkSafeBC requires fall protection at lower heights in many situations, but the written fall protection plan is specifically triggered by Part 11 conditions tied to the 7.5 m (25 ft) threshold or section 11.2(5).
What must a competent plan contain?
At minimum, hazard identification, selected fall protection system(s), anchor/anchorage details, procedures for assembly/inspection/use/disassembly, and rescue procedures. Canadian federal OHS regulations also require anchorage, clearance distance for fall arrest, manufacturer instructions, and rescue procedures in the plan structure.