General information about Alberta and City of Calgary rules, written in plain language and linked to the sources. It isn't legal advice. Laws change and details matter, so check the source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.
When you hire a roofer, the crew's safety isn't only their business. A contractor who skips fall protection is taking a risk with people's lives, and it's a fair sign of how they treat the rest of the job.
In Alberta the rules are in Part 9 of the Occupational Health and Safety Code. Here's the short version a homeowner needs: the thresholds, what should be on site, and what to do if you see something wrong.
When fall protection is required
Section 139 of the OHS Code says an employer and a supervisor must make sure a worker is protected from falling if the worker could fall:
- 3 metres or more, at a temporary or permanent work area.
- Less than 3 metres, if there's an unusual possibility of injury. The Code means an injury that could be worse than landing on a solid, flat surface.
- Into or onto a hazardous substance or object, or through an opening in a work surface.
- More than 1.2 metres but less than 3 metres, at a permanent work area.
The order of protection
The Code doesn't let a crew pick whatever is convenient. Section 139 sets an order.
- Guardrails. The employer must install a guardrail.
- Travel restraint. If a guardrail isn't reasonably practicable, workers use a system that stops them from reaching the edge at all.
- Personal fall arrest. If travel restraint isn't reasonably practicable, workers use a system that catches them after a fall starts: a full body harness, a lanyard with a shock absorber or similar device, and an anchor.
- Equally effective controls. If fall arrest isn't reasonably practicable, the employer must use other controls that are just as effective.
Fall protection plans and training
The plan. Under section 140, the employer must have a written fall protection plan for a work site if a worker could fall 3 metres or more and isn't protected by guardrails. The plan must set out the fall hazards, the system being used, the anchors, confirmation that there's enough clearance below so a falling worker won't hit the ground or something else, how the equipment is assembled, inspected, used and taken down, and the rescue procedure if a worker ends up hanging in a harness. The plan must be available at the work site, reviewed with workers before the work starts, and updated when conditions change.
The training. Under section 141, a worker must be trained in the safe use of a fall protection system before using one, at any height. The training covers things like identifying hazards, choosing anchors, using connecting hardware, inspecting equipment before use and emergency response, with hands-on practice.
Why it matters to you
The Code puts the legal duty on the employer and the supervisor, not on you. There are still good reasons to pay attention.
- Safety. A fall from a roof can kill or permanently injure someone. Nobody wants that at their house.
- Liability and disruption. A serious injury on your property can bring an investigation, stop the job, and raise questions about insurance and responsibility. How those land depends on the facts, so speak to your insurer or a lawyer if it ever happens.
- A signal about the contractor. A company that skips anchors and harnesses to save an hour is making the same kind of trade-off with nailing, flashing and cleanup.
What you'll see on a compliant roofing job
You don't need to inspect anyone's gear. On a properly run residential job you'd normally expect to see:
- Roof anchors installed early, before workers spread out across the roof.
- Workers wearing full body harnesses, connected by lanyards or rope grabs to lifelines tied back to those anchors.
- Guardrails or a marked control zone on a flat or low-slope roof.
- Ladders secured against movement, with the side rails extending at least 1 metre above the landing when used for access.
- Someone clearly in charge of the crew, and a fall protection plan available on site. It's reasonable to ask the contractor whether they have one for your job.
How to report unsafe work
Alberta.ca says anyone can report unsafe work, whether or not they're involved in it. You don't have to be a worker.
- If someone is hurt or in immediate danger, call 911 first.
- If you're worried about immediate danger or injury, call the OHS Contact Centre right away: 1-866-415-8690 toll-free, or 780-415-8690 in Edmonton.
- For non-urgent concerns, use the online OHS concern form linked from Alberta.ca. OHS acknowledges online reports by email within 3 business days.
- You can ask to stay anonymous when you report by phone or online.
- Note the address, date, time, company name and what you saw. A photo from the ground helps.
At what height is fall protection required in Alberta?
Under section 139 of the OHS Code, at 3 metres or more at any work area. It's also required below 3 metres if there's an unusual possibility of injury, when a worker could fall onto a hazardous object or through an opening, and above 1.2 metres at a permanent work area.
Do roofers have to wear harnesses in Alberta?
Not always a harness specifically, but they must be protected. The Code's order is guardrails first, then travel restraint, then personal fall arrest, then equally effective controls. On most pitched house roofs, harnesses tied to anchors are the practical choice. Anyone using personal fall arrest must wear a full body harness.
Is a fall protection plan required for residential roofing?
Yes, if a worker could fall 3 metres or more and isn't protected by guardrails. Section 140 doesn't exempt residential work. The plan must be available on site and reviewed with workers before the work begins.
Can I report a roofing crew working without fall protection?
Yes. Call Alberta's OHS Contact Centre at 1-866-415-8690, or use the online concern form if it isn't urgent. Anyone can report, and you can ask to remain anonymous.
Where the facts on this page come from. If a source has changed since we last checked, tell us and we'll fix the page.
- Occupational Health and Safety Code, AR 191/2021, Part 9 (ss. 136, 139 to 142, 159, 161) · Alberta King's Printer
- Report unsafe work · Government of Alberta
- Report an OHS concern · Government of Alberta