Fall Protection Training Requirements in BC, and How a Construction Safety Officer Differs from a Safety Coordinator

Employers in British Columbia have a requirement to ensure their employees who are at risk of falls are trained appropriately. This should include training on identifying fall hazards, how to use personal fall arrest systems, inspection of the equipment and emergency rescue procedures. In certain high risk scenarios, a written fall protection plan must be put in place. Construction Safety Officers will oversee general safety management however the safety coordinator will usually oversee day to day safety management on site.

If you’ve ever been on any construction site within BC there is a good chance that you will be able to share a story about almost falling from some height. Whether it be a missed rung, a wobbly board or a sudden gust of wind on your roof. Falls are one of the biggest causes of serious injuries within the province and one of the most preventable. It’s therefore very important to understand fall protection regulations.

This blog will cover 2 key areas that are always coming up for BC contractors. Firstly what training and planning WorkSafeBC expect around fall protection. Secondly the differences between a Construction Safety Officer (CSO) and Safety Coordinator, which are often confused.

When fall protection is required in BC

Part 11 of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulation relates to fall protection. In general if any worker is working at 3 metre (10 foot) high then an employer must implement a fall protection system. In some cases this applies to workers who are less than 3m high. If a fall from less than 3m would cause increased risk of injury than falling onto level ground, for instance there is rebar, equipment or an open excavation below then fall protection will also be required. acera

As with many of the controls the regulation encourages employers to implement certain controls. If possible employers should install physical barriers such as guard rails. If this cannot be done then personal protective equipment such as harnesses, lanyards and lifelines should be used. Fall protection is a hierarchy.

The fall protection plan

A written fall protection plan must be in place if:

the work is on a site without permanent guard rails and there is a risk of falling 7.5 metres (25 feet) or more; or use of a fall arrest system is not practical or would cause a new hazard.acera

The plan has to be in writing and available at the workplace before work with a risk of falling begins. A solid plan usually covers: worksafebc

• The fall hazards on that site
• The fall protection systems that will be used
• How equipment will be assembled, inspected, used, maintained, and taken apart
• Rescue procedures for a worker who has fallen and is suspended
• Who is responsible for what

Although not strictly required by law many employers will produce a method statement. This ensures that you have really thought through the task and can be great proof of due diligence if anything goes wrong.

What training do BC employers have to provide?

This can be a bit of a tricky question to answer. However, in part 11 it does not give any specific training requirements, such as specific courses names, hours of training or cards. It does however state that adequate training is required which enables them to work safely using the systems provided. This responsibility falls on the employer, and is also covered in your fall protection plan.

Adequate training for working at height will typically include:

• Identify fall hazards and know when fall protection is required.
• Read and understand the site fall protection plan.
• Know how to select, examine and wear your harness.
• Select and use anchors, lifelines and lanyards.
• Understand fall distance and equipment limitations.
• Know how to rescue and what to do after a fall including suspension trauma.
• Know when to stop work and seek help from your supervisor.

Practical skills are important as well. Putting on and adjusting your harness is a physical skill. Training on a proper system with proper anchors will stick in your mind much better than just using slides.

A few other things to know:

• Everyone exposed needs it. That includes subcontractors, new hires, and short-term workers, not just the experienced crew.
• Supervisors need it too. They have to recognize unsafe setups and enforce the plan.
• Refreshers are smart. Retrain when the work, equipment, or site conditions change, and after near misses.
• Keep records. Training dates, topics, and attendees are your proof.
• Site owners and general contractors often ask for more. Many require a recognized fall protection course before anyone gets onto the job, whatever the minimum in the regulation.

Because requirements get amended, it’s worth checking the current wording of Part 11 on WorkSafeBC’s site, or calling their prevention line, before you finalize a training program.

Equipment, anchors, and inspection

Equipment must also be trained on. Part 11 includes requirements for equipment standards, anchor systems, temporary horizontal lines, engineer certification (if required) and checking the equipment. Any damaged, fallen or non-compliant equipment needs to be taken out of service and checked. All users should be trained to carry out a pre-use check each time. This is quick to complete, taking just a couple of minutes, but will ensure that the webbing is not frayed, hardware is not bent and tags are present.

Who is responsible for what?

On a construction site, responsibility is shared:

• Employers provide the systems, the plan, the training, and the supervision.
• Supervisors make sure the plan is followed and stop unsafe work.
• Workers use the equipment properly, follow procedures, and report problems.
• Prime contractors on multi-employer sites coordinate safety across everyone working there.

That last point leads straight into the question of who actually runs safety day to day.

Construction Safety Officer vs. Safety Coordinator

These two titles show up in job postings, contracts, and site meetings all the time, and they’re often used as if they mean the same thing. They don’t, though the line between them is fuzzier than people like to admit.

The safety coordinator

The term "safety coordinator" is a commonly used industry term. It does not denote any official designation from WorkSafeBC. A safety coordinator will typically handle the day-to-day safety requirements of the project. This can include conducting inductions for new employees, site tours, inspections, maintaining records, conducting toolbox meetings, tracking sub-contractor documentation and tracking corrective actions.

There is also a similar term which appears in the regulation. The prime contractor at multiple employer sites must ensure there is coordination of health and safety activities. This may require having an experienced safety coordinator in place (Part 20 of the OHS Regulation). Many companies will have a safety coordinator role to satisfy this requirement but it is the responsibility of the prime contractor to do so.

The Construction Safety Officer

A Construction Safety Officer will be a trained safety professional who has typically worked in the industry for several years. A Safety Officer role often involves overall management of the safety program. Commonly listed duties within job postings for Construction Safety Officers include monitoring compliance, providing guidance to site superintendents, assisting with site safety plans, risk assessments, incident investigations, safety record keeping and conducting orientations and toolbox meetings. Usually they will require the candidate to have CSO certification or equivalent and have a strong knowledge of WorkSafeBC regulations.

Side by side

	Safety Coordinator	Construction Safety Officer
Typical focus	Daily site tasks and paperwork	Overall safety program and compliance
Training level	Varies; often entry or mid-level	Formal CSO or equivalent training
Experience	Can be early career	Usually several years in construction safety
Authority	Supports supervisors and the team	Advises management and site leadership
Common duties	Orientations, inspections, records	Audits, investigations, plans, program oversight

General guidelines. Some companies give their coordinators lots of responsibility. Some CSOs will also get out to do a lot of work. WorkSafeBC is concerned about having an appropriate person carrying out the work, who has the authority to do so and that the activities are being carried out.

Where fall protection fits

Both roles involve fall protection. The coordinator will make sure the plan is displayed, staff have been trained and identify damaged lanyards on their walk through. A CSO would be more involved with creating/reviewing the plan, auditing compliance with the plan, investigating a fall/near miss and suggesting training/changes to procedures.

Which one does your company need?

It depends on size, risk, and how the work is set up.

• Small contractors with few staff may only require a supervisor and external consultant.
• Medium sized contractors with a number of crews will often benefit from having someone to coordinate orientations, inspections & record keeping.
• Larger contractors, or those working in areas of high risk such as roofing, high rise or heavy civil will generally gain some real value from a CSO who can take ownership of the program.
• Many well established companies have both, with the coordinator providing support and the CSO providing strategic direction.

Contracts matter here as well. Owners and general contractors sometimes spell out the safety staffing they expect, so read the safety section of your bid documents before you assume.

A quick checklist for contractors

• Do you know which working activities will cause the worker to be 3m or higher or a poor drop height?
• Is protection provided, such as guardrails or fall arrest, wherever possible?
• If required do you have a written fall protection plan and has it been provided on site?
• Have all exposed people including subs and new starters been trained in the system they will be using?
• Is equipment checked before use and taken out of service?
• Have you got a rescue plan and is everyone aware of it?
• Is training recorded and easily accessible?
• Is it clear who is responsible for safety on site, either a coordinator, CSO or both?

Next steps

Good fall protection comes down to three things done consistently: a clear plan, trained people, and someone accountable for making it all happen. Whether you’re building a crew’s skills or developing your own career in site safety, the right training makes a real difference. You can explore fall protection training and other construction safety courses through Mainland Safety, and take the next step toward a safer site.