‘All activities or manoeuvres performed at height during the workday expose the worker to a risk of falling during operations’
A Quebec roof snow remover who died after a fall of nearly four metres was working under an unsafe method that exposed him to repeated fall hazards throughout his shift, according to a report from the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST).
The fatal incident took place on March 28 in Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac, Que. The worker, employed by WM Déneigement, had been assigned to clear snow from the roofs of truck trailers, The Canadian Press (CP) reported.
To access the tops of the trailers, he used a sliding ladder positioned on the side of a pick-up truck.
Truck movement triggered deadly fall
According to the CNESST findings cited by CP, the worker fell 3.96 metres from the ladder after the pick-up truck began moving once he had finished clearing snow from a trailer roof. He was standing at the top of the sliding ladder while the vehicle was in motion when he either slipped or lost his balance and fell to the ground.
CNESST investigators determined that the work method imposed by the employer was itself deficient, because it required the worker to remain at the top of the ladder while the truck was being driven. Inspectors wrote that “the work method applied by the employer requires the worker to remain on the ladder during movement, while using a personal fall arrest system,” according to the report obtained by CP.
However, the investigation found that fall protection was inconsistently applied throughout the day.
The inspectors stated: “In fact, all activities or manoeuvres performed at height during the workday expose the worker to a risk of falling during operations. On several occasions, no fall protection or fall arrest device was used to clear snow from the trailers, or when moving the van with the worker on the ladder. This practice is considered dangerous, and the application of the method provided for by the employer would undoubtedly not have prevented the worker from falling.”
Failures in supervision and OHS management
The CNESST also faulted the employer’s supervision and safety management.
“The worker was exposed to a fall on multiple occasions during the workday. The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires the employer to supervise to ensure that the worker follows work instructions and procedures. Thus, the supervision requirement under the Occupational Health and Safety Act was not met,” the agency concluded, as reported by CP.
The CNESST also found the employer had not properly managed occupational health and safety with respect to fall risks while working at height.
Why is fall protection important?
According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), a fall protection plan is important in different workplaces.
“A fall protection plan is a general term for the policy and procedures used to identify fall hazards, and the measures taken to prevent injury. Included in this plan is selecting, assembling, maintaining, inspecting, using, and dismantling equipment such as ladders, scaffolds, or platforms used for working at heights as well as any fall protection equipment.
“Emergency procedures for rescuing fallen workers (including those who are hanging in mid-air by their harness) are also needed. Fall protection plans must be specific to each site where workers are at heights.
“There is ‘no one size fits all’ plan. Requirements and equipment used will change from workplace to workplace, site to site, and job to job.”
