Background

There are circumstances where fire department personnel are working at heights at a construction project.

Concerns/hazards

Firefighters who work at heights are exposed to the hazard of falling.

Actions for employers

Employers should:

  • establish procedures to protect firefighters from the hazard of falls
  • develop standard operating procedures/operating guidelines that address worker training, including who needs to take the ministry’s Working at Heights training program

Working at heights training for construction projects

If a firefighter on a construction project performing work will be exposed to the hazard of falling and is required by regulation to use certain types of fall protection, the firefighter must complete a working at heights training program approved by the Ministry of Labour’s Chief Prevention Officer.

You can find out more about working at heights training on the Ministry of Labour website.

Risks

There are times when fire personnel may be working at heights.

Examples of job functions which may involve working at heights include:

  • fire prevention
  • inspection
  • investigation
  • pre-planning

Examples of situations which may involve working at heights, include:

  • temporary structures/scaffolds
  • unguarded openings or edges in the structure floor/roof
  • unstable/unfinished work surfaces

Knowledge of major or unique construction projects in the community may assist firefighters in identifying unique situations that they may encounter and increase their situational awareness.

Applicable regulations and acts

Read:

Related

Read firefighters guidance notes: