Safety checklist — Work at height

Fall protection, harness and lifeline. Compliant with Québec's Construction Safety Code (CSTC) and CNESST standards.

Before work

13 items

✓
PPE worn: full harness, lanyard + energy absorber, hard hat with chin strapCritical
ℹ️ Mandatory from 3 m height — CNESST zero tolerance
✓
Anchor points verified — strength ≥ 18 kN (CNESST)Critical
ℹ️ Minimum anchor strength per CSA Z259 standard
✓
Horizontal lifeline installed by qualified person
✓
Perimeter guardrail installed within 2 m of edge if possible
✓
Rescue plan for falls documented and known to team
✓
Weather checked — no high wind, ice or thunderstorm
✓
Floor openings protected (secured covers or guardrails)
✓
Worker tied off continuously — 100% of the time at heightCritical
ℹ️ Zero tolerance: unattached worker > 3 m = immediate stop
✓
Free fall distance ≤ 1.8 m (lanyard + absorber)
✓
Sufficient clearance below worker for fall arrest
✓
Ladder extending at least 900 mm (35 in) above access point
✓
Tools tethered or stored — no loose objects at height
✓
Ground zone below work marked and restricted

After work

4 items

✓
Harnesses and lanyards inspected — no damage or abnormal wear
✓
Collective protections restored (guardrails, nets)
✓
Fall protection equipment stored under cover (UV, moisture)
✓
Incidents or near-misses reported

+ 4 more checks

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More checklists — Cross-cutting Situations

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Roadside work and construction site signage

15 checks

Cold weather work

Prevention of frostbite and hypothermia on site

15 checks

Asbestos / Decontamination

Asbestos removal and decontamination work

19 checks

Confined space

Entry and work in confined spaces

18 checks

Hot weather work

Prevention of heat stroke on site

14 checks

Manual handling

Lifting and carrying loads by hand

13 checks

See all 12 checklists →

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Installation and removal of formwork

14 checks

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Installation of rebar and welded mesh

13 checks

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Installation of membranes, shingles and roofing

16 checks

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13 checks

Exterior cladding

Installation of siding, cladding and façade finishes

14 checks

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Crane operations and load handling

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Related guides

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How to prepare SST site inspections in Québec: document findings, prioritize risks, and tie field checks to CNESST-style checklists.

Construction employers: field prevention

Practical levers for employers: prevention programs, training, supervision, and field evidence—plus checklists to make it operational.

Work at height: site prevention

Prevention principles for work at height in Québec construction: planning, collective protection, equipment, and field inspections.

Common SST mistakes on construction sites

The most common safety mistakes on Québec job sites and how to prevent them with field checklists.

Risks and prevention — Work at height

Falls from height are the leading cause of death in Québec construction. The CSTC mandates fall protection from 3 metres. The prevention hierarchy prioritizes eliminating height work first, then collective protection (guardrails, nets), then personal equipment (harness, lifeline).

Each fall protection system must be selected for the situation: structure type, free-fall distance, clearance, and swing potential. A harness without adequate anchorage provides no protection.

Fall protection equipment (harnesses, lanyards, energy absorbers, anchors) must be inspected before each use and periodically documented by a competent person. Any equipment that has arrested a fall must be removed from service.

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