Falls from height and dropped or mishandled loads are among the most serious hazards on construction sites, in plants and in buildings under maintenance. We help employers and owners plan work at height, check that anchors and fall arrest equipment are suitable and in good condition, and put lifting and rigging practices in place that keep loads and people apart.
What we look at
- Where work at height happens: roofs, mezzanines, platforms, ladders, scaffolds, aerial work platforms and open edges
- Your fall protection plans and whether they follow the hierarchy from elimination and guardrails through to fall arrest
- Anchor points, horizontal lifelines and roof anchors: location, suitability, documentation and condition
- Harnesses, lanyards, self-retracting devices and connectors, and how they are inspected, stored and retired
- Fall rescue plans, rescue equipment and whether rescue has been practised
- Aerial work platform selection, pre-use inspection and operator training records
- Lift plans, rigging hardware and sling inspection, load handling and exclusion zones
- Manual handling tasks that put workers at risk of strain injuries
One of the most common gaps we find is clearance. A fall arrest system only works if the worker stops before reaching the level below or an obstruction, and the distance needed is the sum of several parts that each depend on the equipment and the anchor position.
How it works
- We ask why. We learn what the work involves and what prompted the request: a new project, a roof with no anchors, an incident, a client audit or an equipment inventory that has not been checked.
- We survey the site. We walk the areas where people work at height or where loads are lifted, and review your existing plans, equipment records and training files.
- We inspect and assess. We complete an independent inspection of fall arrest equipment and visible anchorage systems and assess how lifts are planned and carried out.
- We write or revise the plans. We prepare fall protection plans, rescue plans, lift plan templates and procedures that fit the tasks on your site and the rules in your province.
- We follow up. We help with supervisor briefings and can return to confirm that corrective actions are complete and plans are being used.
What to have ready
- Your current fall protection plans and any rescue plans, with the areas or tasks they cover
- An inventory of harnesses, lanyards, self-retracting devices and connectors, with inspection records
- Drawings, certification letters and inspection records for permanent anchors and lifelines
- Lift plans or lift procedures in use, and inspection records for slings and rigging hardware
- Operator training records for aerial work platforms and any lifting equipment
- Access to roofs, platforms and lifting areas, with someone who knows how the work is done
What you get
You receive a written report of what we found, including any equipment that should be removed from service, anchors that lack documentation or appear unsuitable, and gaps in your plans. Where you have asked for plans or procedures, you receive them in editable form. Recommendations are ranked so the most serious hazards are dealt with first.
| Area | Typical findings |
|---|---|
| Harnesses and lanyards | Cut or abraded webbing, missing labels, deployed energy absorbers, equipment past the manufacturer's service life |
| Anchors and lifelines | No design or certification records, anchors placed where they create swing fall, unclear capacity or user limits |
| Plans | Generic plans that do not match the roof or platform, no clearance calculation, rescue described as "call 911" |
| Lifting and rigging | Slings without legible tags, no lift plan for critical lifts, exclusion zones not marked or enforced |
A typical example is a building with a rooftop mechanical unit near an unprotected edge. Technicians tie off to a pipe support because nobody can find the roof anchor drawings. The report flags the improvised anchor as unsuitable, recommends guardrails or a travel restraint system as the first choice, notes that any permanent anchor needs engineering documentation, and asks for a written rescue plan for the roof before fall arrest is relied on.
How this fits with mandated inspections and engineering. Cranes, hoists and some lifting devices have inspection requirements set by provincial rules and must be inspected by qualified or certified people. Permanent anchors and lifeline systems may need to be designed and certified by a professional engineer. Our role is independent assessment, helping you prepare for and follow up on those inspections, and coordinating the work. We do not replace them.
Who it's for
This service suits general contractors and trades who work at height, facility and property managers responsible for roofs and rooftop equipment, industrial plants with platforms, tanks and overhead lifting, and safety managers who need a second set of eyes on equipment and plans. Requirements differ between Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and other provinces, including the height at which fall protection is required and the training workers must have, so we work from the rules that apply where you operate.
For more detail, read The fall protection hierarchy, Anchor points for fall protection, Fall rescue plans and Lift plans and rigging safety.
Common questions
Can you certify our roof anchors?
Anchor certification is normally done by a professional engineer, often with load testing, and the manufacturer's requirements apply. We can review the anchors and their documentation, identify what is missing and coordinate the engineering and testing work.
How often should harnesses and lanyards be inspected?
Users should inspect equipment before each use, and a competent person should inspect it at regular intervals set by the manufacturer, the applicable CSA Z259 standard and your province. Any equipment that has arrested a fall must be removed from service.
Why does clearance matter so much on low roofs and platforms?
On a short drop, the clearance a shock-absorbing lanyard needs can be more than the height available, so the worker reaches the ground before the system stops them. Self-retracting devices, a higher anchor or restraint instead of arrest are common solutions. The calculation should use the manufacturer's figures for the specific equipment.
Do you operate cranes or perform lifts?
No. We review plans, practices and equipment and help you prepare. Lifts are carried out by qualified operators and riggers under your supervision or your contractor's.