BRITISH COLUMBIA · WORKSAFEBC · OHS REGULATION PART 11

Fall Protection in British Columbia: WorkSafeBC Part 11 Explained

What WorkSafeBC's Part 11 requires: the 3 m trigger (and when less applies), the order of protection, when you need a written fall protection plan, anchor strengths and which equipment standards are accepted.

Quick answerIn BC, fall protection is required where a worker could fall 3 m or more, or less where landing would be worse than a flat surface. Guardrails come first. A written fall protection plan is needed at 7.5 m or more without permanent guardrails. Anchors for fall arrest need 22 kN, and equipment may meet CSA or ANSI standards.
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  • Part 11 s. 11.2
  • Plan at 7.5 m
  • 22 kN anchors
  • CSA or ANSI gear
BC FALL PROTECTION ◆ WORKSAFEBC PART 11 ◆ 3 M TRIGGER ◆ WRITTEN PLAN AT 7.5 M ◆ 22 KN FALL ARREST ANCHORS ◆ CSA OR ANSI EQUIPMENT

British Columbia fall protection at a glance

THE NUMBERS THAT MATTER

Trigger height3 mOr less, where a fall involves more risk than landing on a flat surface (s. 11.2(1)).
Order of protectionGuardrail firstThen other fall restraint, then fall arrest or rope access, then Board-accepted procedures (s. 11.2).
Written plan7.5 mWithout permanent guardrails, or when using work procedures instead of equipment (s. 11.3).
Anchor, fall arrest22 kN5,000 lb, or 2× the maximum arrest force for temporary anchors (s. 11.6).
Anchor, restraint3.5 kN800 lb or 4× the worker's weight (s. 11.6(1)).
EquipmentCSA or ANSIMust meet an applicable CSA or ANSI standard (s. 11.5).

Who regulates fall protection in British Columbia

REGULATOR · LAW · OFFICIAL TEXT

Fall protection in BC is regulated by WorkSafeBC under the Workers Compensation Act. The rules are in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, Part 11 Fall Protection (ss. 11.1–11.10), which applies to all workplaces, including construction. WorkSafeBC also publishes Part 11 guidelines that explain how it applies the rules.

When fall protection is required in BC

S. 11.2(1)

Fall protection must be used where:

  • a fall of 3 m (10 ft) or more may occur; or
  • a fall from less than 3 m involves a risk of injury greater than landing on a flat surface, for example onto rebar, machinery or into water.

The order of protection in BC

S. 11.2(2)–(5)

  1. Guardrails or similar fall restraint when practicable.
  2. Otherwise, another fall restraint system.
  3. Otherwise, a fall arrest system or rope access.
  4. Otherwise, or where fall protection creates a greater hazard, work procedures acceptable to WorkSafeBC, such as a control zone at least 2 m from the edge with a safety monitor (guideline G11.2(5)-1).

Fall protection plans and instruction in BC

S. 11.3 · S. 11.2(6)

A written fall protection plan is required where work is done at a place without permanent guardrails and a fall of 7.5 m (25 ft) or more may occur, or whenever work procedures are used instead of equipment. It must be at the workplace before the work starts. WorkSafeBC's fillable plan template includes a section for rescue procedures.

Before a worker enters an area with a fall risk, they must be instructed in the fall protection system for that area and the procedures to follow (s. 11.2(6)). WorkSafeBC's guideline says a general course alone does not meet this: instruction has to be site- and system-specific.

Anchors and equipment in BC

S. 11.5 – 11.10

  • Temporary fall restraint anchor: 3.5 kN (800 lb) or 4× the worker's weight.
  • Temporary fall arrest anchor: 22 kN (5,000 lb) or 2× the maximum arrest force.
  • Permanent anchor: 22 kN (5,000 lb), certified by a professional engineer (s. 11.8).
  • Each system on an independent attachment point.
  • Equipment must meet an applicable CSA or ANSI standard (s. 11.5) and be inspected by a qualified person before use on each shift (s. 11.9).
  • Equipment that has arrested a fall comes out of service until recertified by the manufacturer or an engineer (s. 11.10).

Common fall protection mistakes in British Columbia

WHAT INSPECTORS FIND

  • Thinking under 3 m is always exempt: falls onto rebar, machinery or into water are covered.
  • No written plan at 7.5 m, or when using a control zone or safety monitor.
  • Relying on a generic course instead of site- and system-specific instruction.
  • Temporary anchors rated below 22 kN for fall arrest.
  • Skipping the pre-shift inspection by a qualified person.

Fall protection gear for BC jobsites

CSA OR ANSI ACCEPTED

Official British Columbia fall protection links

SOURCES

This page is a plain-language summary to help you plan, not legal advice. Regulations change: check the current official text linked above, or call your provincial regulator, before you rely on it. Summary checked October 2026.

More fall protection resources

GUIDES & CHECKLISTS

British Columbia fall protection — common questions

ANSWERS YOU CAN CITE

01

When do I need a written fall protection plan in BC?

Where work is done without permanent guardrails and a fall of 7.5 m (25 ft) or more may occur, or when work procedures are used instead of fall protection equipment (s. 11.3).
02

Is ANSI fall protection gear allowed in BC?

Yes. Part 11 requires equipment to meet an applicable CSA or ANSI standard in effect when it was made (s. 11.5).
03

How strong must a fall arrest anchor be in BC?

22 kN (5,000 lb), or twice the maximum arrest force for a temporary anchor. Permanent anchors need 22 kN and engineer certification (ss. 11.6, 11.8).
04

Does a fall protection course meet WorkSafeBC training rules?

Not on its own. Workers must be instructed in the specific system and procedures for the area where they will work (s. 11.2(6)).