FLHA rules in Ontario

• Fall protection (O. Reg. 213/91 s.26) applies at a fall of more than 3 m, more than 1.2 m where the work area is used as a path for a wheelbarrow or similar equipment, and at any height into operating machinery, water or other liquid, a hazardous substance, or through an opening.
• Written rescue procedures must be in place before fall arrest or a safety net is used (s.26.1(4)).
• Workers who may use fall protection need Working at Heights training from a Chief Prevention Officer approved provider, valid for 3 years (O. Reg. 297/13).
• Trenches deeper than 1.2 m need support, sloping or a trench box (s.234(2)).
• Where 5 or more workers work at the same time, the constructor appoints a supervisor, who inspects the project at least once a week (s.14).
• Written emergency procedures must be set up, reviewed with the JHSC or health and safety representative and posted on site (s.17). Every worker must have ready access to two way communication (s.18).
• A defibrillator is required on a project where 20 or more workers are regularly employed (s.27.1, added by O. Reg. 157/25).
• A joint health and safety committee is required at 20 or more workers regularly employed, except for a constructor on a project expected to last less than 3 months. A health and safety representative is needed where there is no JHSC and more than 5 workers (OHSA s.8, s.9).
• The constructor posts its name, address and phone number and the nearest Ministry office at the project (s.13). No one under 16 may work on a project (s.16).

• Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1
• O. Reg. 213/91: Construction Projects
• O. Reg. 297/13: Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training (Working at Heights)

Regulator: Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, phone 1-877-202-0008 (Health and Safety Contact Centre, 24/7).

• Registration (s.5): before work begins, each constructor and employer completes Form 1000. The constructor keeps the forms at the project; they are not sent to the Ministry.
• Notice of Project (s.6), filed with the Ministry before work begins (online with an Ontario.ca login), where: labour and materials are expected to cost over $50,000; a building over 2 storeys or 7.5 m is erected or structurally altered; a building at least 4 m high with at least 30 square metres of floor is demolished; a trench a person may enter is over 300 m long, or over 1.2 m deep and over 30 m long; there is work in compressed air, a tunnel, caisson, cofferdam or enterable well; or any part must be designed by an engineer. Post it at the project.
• Trench notice (s.7): if no Notice of Project is needed but a worker may enter a trench over 1.2 m deep, tell the nearest Ministry office before work begins.
• Suspended work platform (s.7.1): notify at least 48 hours before first use.
• Death or critical injury (OHSA s.51): notify an inspector, the JHSC or representative and the union immediately, send a written report to a Director within 48 hours, and preserve the scene.
• Disabling injury (OHSA s.52): written notice within 4 days. Accidents, fires, floods, equipment failures and cave ins at a project (OHSA s.53): written notice within 2 days.