01-21-25 Fall Protection Policy Refresher

As we continue our focus on a safety refresh mindset this month, we want to emphasize the importance of reviewing and following our company policies and procedures. Together, we can make 2025 our safest year yet by strengthening our commitment to safety practices.

Fall Hazards Are Everywhere

Falls are one of the most common workplace hazards, and the factors leading to them can vary widely. Many falls occur when unsafe conditions and unsafe actions combine. That’s why having a clear and thorough Fall Protection Work Plan is critical to preventing incidents.

Let’s take this opportunity to review Hudson Bay’s fall protection policies and guidelines to ensure we’re all prepared to work safely.

Fall Protection Policies

• When is Fall Protection required? Fall protection is mandatory when employees are working within 6 feet of an unprotected edge that is 4 feet or more above the next surface in Washington and 6 feet in all other states.

• Site-Specific Rules Apply. All employees must follow the client partner’s or site owner’s fall protection requirements.

• Daily Pre-Task Planning. Any tasks requiring personal fall protection must be identified and documented in the daily pre-task plan in the LMS by the crew.

• Fall Hazards Over 10 Feet. A Fall Protection Work Plan with rescue procedures must be developed in the LMS by the crew whenever work involves a fall hazard of 10 feet or more.
  • This plan is required to prevent falls and reduce risks in case of a fall arrest event.
  • It applies to all company locations and divisions where employees are working at heights above 10 feet.

• Equipment Inspections. All fall protection equipment must be inspected before each use. Any equipment found defective must be red-tagged and removed from service immediately.

Policy Violations and Consequences

As discussed in last week’s Toolbox Talk, failing to follow any IDLH policy will result in immediate corrective actions, including:

• 1^st Violation: 5-day suspension.
• 2^nd Violation of the same item within 3-years: Termination.

In cases involving severe violations, termination may occur after the first offense.

For a complete overview of our Fall Protection Policies, please refer to the Fall Protection section located in the 2025 Safety & Risk Management Plan, available through the LMS.

Remember This!

Fall hazards are predictable—and preventable. If you can identify a risk, you can eliminate or control it before it leads to an injury or worse.

Let’s remain vigilant and committed to planning, communicating, and executing tasks with safety first in mind. Together, we can make this year the safest yet!