NORTHWEST TERRITORIES · OHS REGULATIONS R-039-2015

Fall Protection in the Northwest Territories: The Rules Explained

What the NWT Occupational Health and Safety Regulations require for work at height: the 3 m trigger, guardrails from 1.2 m at permanent sites, the written plan, anchors, training and rescue.

Quick answerIn the Northwest Territories, a fall protection system is required where a worker could fall 3 m or more, or less where a fall could cause injury (s. 119(1)). At permanent work sites, guardrails are required for falls of 1.2 m to 3 m (s. 119(2)). A written fall protection plan, including rescue, is required at 3 m or more where there is no guardrail (s. 120). Fall arrest anchors need 22.2 kN breaking strength (s. 104).
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  • R-039-2015 s. 119
  • 3 m trigger
  • Written plan at 3 m
  • 22.2 kN anchors
NWT FALL PROTECTION ◆ OHS REGULATIONS R-039-2015 ◆ 3 M TRIGGER ◆ GUARDRAILS FROM 1.2 M ◆ WRITTEN PLAN ◆ 22.2 KN ANCHORS ◆ WSCC

Northwest Territories fall protection requirements at a glance

THE NUMBERS THAT MATTER

Trigger height3 mOr less where a fall could cause injury (s. 119(1)).
Permanent sites1.2 m – 3 mGuardrail or similar barrier (s. 119(2)).
Written plan3 m, no guardrailWith rescue procedures, available before work starts (s. 120).
Fall arrest anchors22.2 kNBreaking strength for an anchor or lifeline (ss. 103, 104).
Arrest force8 kN maxFree fall 1.2 m without a shock absorber; 2 m with one (s. 104).
Control zone2 m wideFrom the unguarded edge, with a raised warning line (s. 121).

Who regulates fall protection in the Northwest Territories

REGULATOR · LAW · OFFICIAL TEXT

The NWT rules are in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, R-039-2015, under the Safety Act: Part 7 (Personal Protective Equipment, ss. 103 to 109) and Part 9 (Safeguards, ss. 119 to 122 and 132). The Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) enforces them; it also covers Nunavut.

When fall protection is required in the NWT

S. 119

  • A fall protection system where a worker could fall 3 m or more, or less where there is a risk of injury (s. 119(1)).
  • At permanent work sites, a guardrail or similar barrier where a fall of 1.2 m to 3 m is possible (s. 119(2)).
  • If a guardrail isn't reasonably possible, a travel restraint system; if that isn't possible either, a safety net, control zone or equally effective safeguard (s. 119(3)–(4)).

A control zone is at least 2 m wide from the unguarded edge and marked with a raised warning line or equivalent (s. 121). Safety nets have mesh no larger than 150 × 150 mm, extend at least 2.4 m past the work area and sit no more than 6 m below it (s. 132).

NWT fall protection plan and training requirements

S. 120

Where a worker could fall 3 m or more and isn't protected by a guardrail or similar barrier, the employer needs a written fall protection plan covering the fall hazards, the system, how it is assembled, maintained, inspected, used and taken down, and rescue procedures if a worker falls or is left suspended. It must be readily available before work begins (s. 120(1)–(3)).

Workers are trained in the plan and the safe use of the system before they work where it is used (s. 120(4)), and in the safe use of a full body harness (s. 105).

Anchors, harnesses and inspection in the NWT

SS. 103 – 109, 122

  • Fall arrest anchors and lifelines: 22.2 kN breaking strength (ss. 103, 104).
  • Travel restraint anchors: 3.5 kN per worker if temporary, 22.5 kN per worker if permanent (s. 122).
  • Personal fall arrest: free fall no more than 1.2 m without a shock absorber, or 2 m (or the maker's limit) with one, and a peak arrest force of 8 kN or less (s. 104).
  • Equipment: harnesses and connecting gear must be approved (s. 105). WSCC's Fall Protection code of practice accepts harnesses meeting CSA Z259.10 and lists the other CSA Z259 standards for lanyards, absorbers, connectors and SRLs.
  • Inspection: workers inspect equipment before each use, and a competent person inspects it per the manufacturer and after it arrests a fall (s. 109).

Fall protection gear for Northwest Territories roofs and jobsites

ANCHORS, HARNESSES, GUARDRAILS

Before you buyEvery product page states its actual certification (CSA or ANSI/OSHA). Check it against the standards your site and the NWT OHS Regulations require before you buy.

Official Northwest Territories fall protection regulation 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 regulator, before you rely on it. Summary checked October 2026.

More fall protection guides for Canadian jobsites

GUIDES & CHECKLISTS

Northwest Territories fall protection — common questions

ANSWERS YOU CAN CITE

01

At what height is fall protection required in the NWT?

At 3 m or more, or lower where a fall could cause injury (s. 119(1)). At permanent work sites, guardrails are required for falls of 1.2 m to 3 m (s. 119(2)).
02

Do I need a written fall protection plan in the Northwest Territories?

Yes, wherever a worker could fall 3 m or more and isn't protected by a guardrail. The plan includes rescue procedures and must be available before work begins (s. 120).
03

How strong must a fall arrest anchor be in the NWT?

22.2 kN breaking strength (ss. 103, 104). Travel restraint anchors need 3.5 kN per worker if temporary and 22.5 kN per worker if permanent (s. 122).