FLHA rules in British Columbia

• Fall protection is required where a fall of 3 m or more may occur (s.11.2). A written fall protection plan is required at 7.5 m or more where there are no permanent guardrails (s.11.3).
• The prime contractor coordinates the work of all employers and keeps a system to make sure everyone complies (WCA s.24). Each employer gives the prime contractor the name of its supervisor.
• On multiple employer sites, employers give the owner or prime contractor advance notice of hazardous work. A qualified coordinator is needed where hazards overlap and the combined workforce is more than 5 (s.20.3).
• A joint health and safety committee is required at 20 or more workers regularly employed, and a worker health and safety representative at more than 9 but fewer than 20 (WCA s.31, s.45).
• Before demolition, salvage or renovation, a qualified person must inspect and write a hazardous materials report, kept at the worksite (s.20.112). Asbestos abatement contractors must be licensed by WorkSafeBC (since 1 January 2024).
• All underground utilities must be accurately located before excavating or drilling with powered tools (s.20.79). A trench is an excavation more than 1.2 m deep and less than 3.7 m wide at the bottom (s.20.1).
• Working alone or in isolation needs a written check in procedure, including an end of shift check (s.4.21 to 4.23).

• Workers Compensation Act, Part 2: Occupational Health and Safety
• OHS Regulation Part 20: Construction, Excavation and Demolition
• OHS Regulation Part 11: Fall Protection

Regulator: WorkSafeBC, phone 604 276 3100 or 1 888 621 7233 (Prevention Information Line).

• Notice of Project (s.20.2), at least 24 hours before work starts, by the owner or prime contractor, where: labour and materials cost over $100,000; an engineer designs any part (other than pre engineered parts); a building over 2 storeys or 6 m, a bridge, a retaining structure over 3 m, or a silo or chimney over 6 m is built, majorly altered or demolished; there is work in a cofferdam or compressed air; or a worker enters a trench over 30 m long or another excavation over 1.2 m deep. File online with WorkSafeBC.
• Hazardous substances notice (s.20.2.1), at least 48 hours before moderate or high risk asbestos work, work on buildings where asbestos was processed or stored, or work that significantly disturbs lead. Post it on site; each employer keeps a copy for 10 years.
• WorkSafeBC also lists tower crane work (at least 2 weeks ahead) and close proximity blasting (24 hours) for notice.
• Immediate notice to WorkSafeBC (WCA s.68) of a serious injury or death, a major structural failure or collapse, a major hazardous release, or a fire or explosion with potential for serious injury. Do not disturb the scene.
• Investigation reports: preliminary report within 48 hours (to the joint committee or representative, or posted), full report to WorkSafeBC within 30 days (WCA s.69 to 72).

WorkSafeBC: Creating a fall protection plan for your worksite, fillable template. Our builder covers the same fields and adds the hazards and controls for your job.