Weekly Safety Share Safety Tip #85 Falls from Height
Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of serious workplace injuries and fatalities across many industries including at home. Whether working on ladders, rooftops, scaffolding, platforms, or elevated equipment, the consequences of a fall can be life-changing in a matter of seconds.
Working at heights requires more than simply following regulations—it requires proper planning, the right equipment, and a commitment to safety from everyone involved.
As employers, supervisors, employees and good neighbours we can increase Fall Prevention Through Plan, Provide, and Train. WSCC regulations and legislation uses a “plan, provide, and train” model in their fall prevention campaign that is a straightforward way to prevent falls in the workplace.
Plan Before You Begin
Every task that involves working at heights should begin with a thorough plan.
Before starting work, ask yourself:
- Can the task be completed without leaving the ground?
- Can equipment such as extension tools, drones, or elevated work platforms reduce the need for exposure?
- What hazards are present in the work area?
- What equipment, personnel, tools, and materials will be required?
Planning should also include identifying the necessary safety equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), permits, rescue procedures, and training requirements before work begins. Taking a few extra minutes to plan can prevent a serious incident later.
Provide the Right Resources
When work at heights exceeds 3 metres (10 feet) and engineering controls such as guardrails are not in place, appropriate fall protection equipment must be provided and used.
This may include:
- Full-body harnesses
- Shock-absorbing lanyards
- Self-retracting lifelines
- Approved anchor points
- Safety nets or other fall arrest systems
- Properly inspected ladders and elevated work platforms
Providing resources goes beyond equipment. Workers must also be given adequate time to properly set up, inspect, and use their fall protection systems. Rushing a job often leads to shortcuts, and shortcuts at height can have devastating consequences.
Train and Recognize Hazards
Training is one of the most effective tools for preventing falls.
Workers must understand:
- How to properly inspect and use fall protection equipment
- The limitations of their equipment
- Safe ladder and scaffold practices
- Emergency and rescue procedures
- How to identify and assess fall hazards
Hazard recognition is critical. Conditions can change quickly, and workers must be able to identify unsafe situations before an incident occurs. Employees should always consider whether a hazard can be eliminated or controlled before proceeding with work.
Remember: if something doesn't look safe, stop and reassess.
Common Causes of Falls
Many fall incidents occur because of:
- Improper ladder use
- Missing or inadequate guardrails
- Failure to wear fall protection
- Unsecured anchor points
- Poor housekeeping and slippery surfaces
- Overreaching while working
- Lack of training or supervision
- Rushing to complete a task
Most falls are preventable when proper controls are in place.
Everyone Has a Role
Compliance with legislation and regulations should be viewed as the minimum standard—not the final goal.
A strong safety culture requires everyone to:
- Plan work carefully
- Use the proper equipment
- Speak up about hazards
- Follow established procedures
- Look out for one another
If you observe anyone working at a height greater than 3 metres without appropriate fall protection, report it immediately as a near miss. These reports help prevent future incidents and may save someone from serious injury or death.
Safety Starts With Us
Falls happen in seconds, but the impact can last a lifetime.
By planning ahead, providing the right resources, and ensuring proper training, we can reduce the risk of falls and make sure everyone goes home safely at the end of the day.
Save a life, prevent an injury, and speak up when you see unsafe work at heights. Safety is everyone's responsibility.