July 2, 2025 Ashley Reutlinger

Protecting What Matters: How Western Canada is Leading the Way in Fall Arrest System Safety

In Western Canada, working at heights isn’t just common—it’s critical to industries like construction, energy, agriculture, and maintenance. Whether on a rooftop in Vancouver, a grain elevator in Manitoba, or scaffolding in downtown Calgary, the risks of falling from a height are real—and preventable.

At Height Works Ltd., we believe every worker deserves to return home safe. That’s why we specialize in engineered fall arrest systems tailored to Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba’s regulatory and jobsite conditions.

✅ What is a Fall Arrest System?

A fall arrest system is a combination of components—like harnesses, anchors, lifelines, and energy absorbers—designed to safely stop a fall from a working height. These systems are only used when other forms of protection (like guardrails or travel restraints) aren’t possible.

A proper fall arrest system should:

Minimize the fall distance
Prevent impact with surrounding structures
Reduce the risk of the pendulum effect (swing falls)
Protect against suspension trauma

⚠️ The Risk Is Real: Western Canada Fall Stats

Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba are among the provinces with the highest volume of industrial and construction activity. According to CCOHS and provincial data:

In Alberta, over 35% of fatal workplace accidents are due to falls from height.
British Columbia reported 4,000+ height-related claims last year.
Manitoba recorded 10 fatalities and 45 injuries due to fall incidents in 2023 alone.

🧠 Understanding the Hidden Hazards

Even with equipment in place, fall arrest systems can fail when:

Bottoming out isn’t accounted for
Workers swing dangerously during a fall (pendulum effect)
Suspension trauma occurs before rescue

Height Works takes these risks seriously. Our certified technicians, including field safety expert Glenn, inspect, test, and commission fall protection systems that exceed CSA Z259 compliance.

“Every piece of gear must pass the same test every day: would you trust it with your life? That’s how we work. That’s how we train.”

— Glenn, Certified Fall Protection Technician, Height Works Ltd.

🛠️ Our Services: Engineered to Protect

We support businesses across Western Canada with:

Custom Fall Arrest System Design
On-Site Inspections & CSA-Compliant Recertification
Hazard Identification & Risk Mitigation Audits
Worker Safety Training for Equipment Use & Rescue Protocols

We offer horizontal lifelines, roof anchors, mobile fall arrest systems, and confined space solutions for jobs where safety cannot be compromised.

📏 Preventing Bottoming Out: What You Need to Know

To ensure your system stops a fall before the ground does, your fall clearance distance must account for

Lanyard length
Deployed energy absorber
Anchor height
Worker’s body length
A minimum 1-meter safety factor

Don’t leave this to guesswork. Let our team calculate and test your site-specific requirements with precision.

🚨 Don’t Overlook Pendulum Effect & Suspension Trauma

If your anchor point isn’t directly overhead, a worker may swing into beams, walls, or equipment—a major risk on high-rise and industrial sites.

Our engineered solutions use overhead anchors, swing arm systems, or dual-anchor lifelines to reduce swing fall risk. In case of a fall, our rescue plans and relief strap training help combat suspension trauma and ensure fast, safe retrieval.

🔍 Let’s Talk About Your Jobsite

Whether you’re maintaining HVAC on a 30-story tower or installing solar on rural rooftops—we build the safety plan around you.

Alberta, BC, and Manitoba employers trust Height Works because we combine