In December 2015, WorkSafeBC has done some changes to the guidelines for Part 11 – Fall Protection. The changes address the “work procedures acceptable to the Board” that can be used when the Elimination-Guardrails-Fall Restraint-Fall Arrest Hierarchy is not practical or will result in a greater hazard.

Previously, the guideline defined a “Control Zone” by the area 2 meters or 6.5 feet from the edge, and it also defined “Buffer zone” which is the additional 2 meters or 6.5 feet area immediately outside the inner edge of the Control Zone. You would have needed to setup a “Raised warning line” between the Control and Buffer zones if you’ll be working in the latter.

Now, the “Buffer Zone” was completely omitted from the guideline, and workers can work up to 2m/6.5ft from the edge without the raised warning line. Employers are only required to set up a raised warning line now when workers will be entering the control zone and are then supervised by a monitor.

How do you interpret this?