NUNAVUT · OHS REGULATIONS R-003-2016

Fall Protection in Nunavut: The Rules Explained

What Nunavut's Occupational Health and Safety Regulations require for work at height: the 3 m trigger, the written plan, lifelines, personal fall arrest limits, anchors and rescue.

Quick answerNunavut's Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (R-003-2016) set the same fall protection rules as the Northwest Territories, enforced by the same regulator, the WSCC. A fall protection system is required where a worker could fall 3 m or more, or less where a fall could cause injury; a written plan with rescue procedures is required at 3 m or more without a guardrail; fall arrest anchors need 22.2 kN breaking strength (s. 104).
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  • R-003-2016
  • 3 m trigger
  • Written plan at 3 m
  • 22.2 kN anchors
NUNAVUT FALL PROTECTION ◆ OHS REGULATIONS R-003-2016 ◆ 3 M TRIGGER ◆ WRITTEN PLAN ◆ 22.2 KN ANCHORS ◆ 8 KN ARREST FORCE ◆ WSCC

Nunavut fall protection requirements at a glance

THE NUMBERS THAT MATTER

Trigger height3 mOr less where a fall could cause injury (s. 119).
Written plan3 m, no guardrailIncluding rescue procedures (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(2)).
Horizontal lifelinesEngineeredDesigned and certified by an engineer, or made to an approved standard (s. 103(4)).
RescueWritten procedureWhere a worker could be trapped or incapacitated (s. 56).

Who regulates fall protection in Nunavut

REGULATOR · LAW · OFFICIAL TEXT

Nunavut's rules are in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, R-003-2016, under Nunavut's 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) serves both Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, and its fall protection code of practice covers both.

When fall protection is required in Nunavut

SS. 119 – 121

  • A fall protection system where a worker could fall 3 m or more, or less where there is a risk of injury.
  • At permanent work sites, a guardrail or similar barrier for falls of 1.2 m to 3 m.
  • Where a guardrail isn't reasonably possible, travel restraint; then a safety net, control zone or equally effective safeguard.
  • A control zone is at least 2 m wide from the unguarded edge.

Nunavut fall protection plan and rescue requirements

SS. 56, 120

Where a worker could fall 3 m or more and isn't behind a guardrail, the employer needs a written fall protection plan covering the hazards, the system and how it is assembled, maintained, inspected, used and taken down, plus rescue procedures if a worker falls or is left suspended. Workers are trained in the plan and the system before they start (s. 120).

More broadly, wherever a worker could be trapped or incapacitated, an effective written rescue procedure is required (s. 56).

Lifelines, anchors and harnesses in Nunavut

SS. 103 – 109

  • Lifelines: wire rope or synthetic, no knots or splices, padded over sharp edges and protected from heat and abrasion (s. 103). Horizontal lifelines are designed and certified by a professional engineer, or made to an approved standard (s. 103(4)).
  • Anchors: 22.2 kN breaking strength for a lifeline or fall arrest anchor (ss. 103, 104).
  • 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, with peak arrest force of 8 kN or less (s. 104(2)).
  • Equipment: PPE is provided by the employer at no cost and must be approved (s. 90). WSCC's code of practice accepts harnesses meeting CSA Z259.10 and lists the CSA Z259 standards for lanyards, absorbers and connectors.
  • Inspection: before each use, and by a competent person per the manufacturer and after a fall (s. 109).

Fall protection gear for Nunavut 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 Nunavut OHS Regulations require before you buy.

Official Nunavut 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

Nunavut fall protection — common questions

ANSWERS YOU CAN CITE

01

At what height is fall protection required in Nunavut?

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

Who enforces fall protection rules in Nunavut?

The Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC), which also covers the Northwest Territories. Its fall protection code of practice applies in both territories.
03

How strong must a fall arrest anchor be in Nunavut?

22.2 kN breaking strength for a fall arrest anchor or lifeline (ss. 103, 104).