Fall Protection in New Brunswick: What Forestry and Manufacturing Employers Must Know Before Winter
As autumn settles in and winter approaches, fall protection becomes one of the most critical topics for workplace safety in New Brunswick. Fall is the season when a lot of serious injuries and fatalities happen in forestry, mills, and manufacturing plants. With shorter days, wet leaves, mud, and eventually ice and snow, the risk of slips and falls increases significantly.
For employers in forestry and manufacturing, October is the ideal time to review fall protection systems, update training, and ensure compliance with WorkSafeNB regulations before winter conditions arrive. This guide explains what you need to know about fall protection in New Brunswick, how the rules apply to your operations, and how NBFSA’s courses can support a compliant and practical safety program
The 3‑metre rule: when fall protection is required
Under New Brunswick’s General Regulation 91–191, fall protection is generally required when an employee works from an unguarded work area that is 3 metres or more above water or the permanent nearest safe level. Fall protection is also required when working:
Above any surface or object that could cause injury upon contact, even if the height is less than 3 metres (for example, rebar, machinery, or sharp equipment).
Above any open top tank, bin, hopper, or vat.
From a work area 3 metres or more above a permanent safe level where the work area could tip or fail.
From communication or power transmission towers or similar structures 3 metres or more above a permanent safe level.
From forklift platforms, elevating work platforms, fixed suspended work platforms, swing staging, boatswain’s chairs, or other suspended equipment.
WorkSafeNB’s Guide to OHS Legislation and fall protection code of practice make it clear that the 3‑metre trigger is a minimum standard, not a safe limit. If a fall from a lower height could still cause serious injury, employers are expected to provide and enforce the use of fall protection systems.
How fall protection rules apply in forestry operations
Forestry work in New Brunswick often involves working at height in ways that may not look like traditional “construction” work but still fall under the regulation. Examples include:
Working on top of loaded trucks, trailers, or log decks 3 metres or more above the ground.
Climbing onto large pieces of forestry equipment, processors, or forwarders for maintenance or repairs.
Using ladders or fixed access points on towers, silos, or elevated platforms at mills and yards.
In these situations, employers must provide appropriate fall protection systems and ensure workers use them correctly. This includes guardrails where possible, travel restraint or fall‑restricting systems, and, where necessary, full fall arrest systems with proper anchorage.
WorkSafeNB classifies missing or unused fall protection where required as a high risk to health or life, which can lead to serious penalties and enforcement action.
Fall protection in mills and manufacturing plants
In sawmills, pulp mills, and manufacturing facilities, fall hazards are common around:
Elevated walkways, catwalks, and mezzanines.
Open-top tanks, bins, hoppers, and vats used in processing.
Scaffolds and temporary work platforms over 3 metres in height.
Roof work, especially around skylights, hatches, and unprotected edges.
The same 3‑metre rule applies, but employers must also consider lower heights where a fall could land a worker on machinery, into a vat, or onto other hazardous surfaces. WorkSafeNB expects employers to first consider passive systems such as guardrails and fixed barriers before relying on personal fall arrest equipment.
The hierarchy of controls: from passive systems to arrest
WorkSafeNB and the fall protection code of practice emphasize a clear hierarchy of controls when managing fall risks. Employers should follow this order whenever possible:
Eliminate the hazard
Where feasible, redesign tasks so work can be done from the ground or a permanent safe level.
Use passive fall protection
Install guardrails, fixed barriers, and protected platforms that do not rely on worker behaviour to be effective.
Use travel restraint or fall‑restricting systems
These systems prevent a worker from reaching an unguarded edge or limit the distance they can fall.
Use fall arrest systems
Where other controls are not practicable, provide and enforce the use of full fall arrest systems, including harnesses, lanyards, and approved anchor points.
Plan for rescue
A fall arrest system is not complete without a rescue plan. Employers must ensure that if a worker falls and is suspended, they can be rescued quickly and safely.
This hierarchy applies equally to forestry sites, mills, and manufacturing plants. The goal is to reduce reliance on personal protective equipment alone and build safer systems into the workplace itself.
Fall protection plans and rescue planning
Section 50.2 of General Regulation 91–191 requires employers to have a written fall protection plan when workers are exposed to fall hazards. A proper plan should include:
Identification of all work areas where fall protection is required.
Description of the fall protection systems used in each area (guardrails, restraints, arrest, etc.).
Procedures for inspecting, maintaining, and storing equipment.
Training requirements for workers and supervisors.
Rescue procedures and equipment for retrieving a worker after a fall.Identification of all work areas where fall protection is required.
Rescue planning is often overlooked but is legally required. A worker suspended in a harness can suffer from suspension trauma within minutes if not promptly rescued. Employers must ensure that designated workers know how to perform rescues, that equipment is available and in good condition, and that drills are conducted regularly.
Training and support through NBFSA
The New Brunswick Forest Safety Association offers courses that directly support fall protection compliance and practical safety in forestry and related industries. Key offerings include:
Fall Protection—Basics for Workers: Designed to instruct workers in the basics of fall protection, including hazard assessment, proper use of personal fall arrest systems, and understanding regulatory requirements.
Working at Heights/Fall Protection awareness modules: Cover regulations, safe work procedures, and equipment inspection for employees who work from ladders, platforms, and elevated areas.
These courses can be delivered virtually or on-site and are suitable for forestry crews, mill workers, and manufacturing employees who face fall hazards as part of their daily tasks.
By combining WorkSafeNB’s regulatory guidance with NBFSA’s practical training, employers can build a stronger fall prevention program that meets legal requirements and protects workers in real‑world conditions.
Making October your fall protection month
With winter approaching, October is the perfect time for employers to:
Review all work areas where employees work at height and confirm that fall protection systems meet General Regulation 91–191 requirements.
Inspect guardrails, platforms, ladders, and fall arrest equipment for damage or wear before cold weather sets in.
Update fall protection plans and rescue procedures, especially for sites where conditions change with the seasons.
Schedule refresher training through NBFSA for workers and supervisors who use fall protection systems.
Taking these steps now helps prevent falls, reduces the risk of serious incidents, and ensures your workplace is ready for the challenges of winter.
Fall protection in New Brunswick is not just about meeting the 3‑metre rule. It is about building systems, training, and a culture where workers in forestry, mills, and manufacturing can do their jobs safely, even when conditions are less than ideal.
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