Falls can kill or leave workers with permanent injuries, even when the distance to the ground appears small. WorkSafeNB is encouraging employers to look beyond obvious height hazards and recognize the risks in ordinary tasks, from using a stepladder to working at a loading dock or wharf.
Falls from less than three metres have caused serious and fatal injuries. A worker can strike a hard floor, water, equipment or another object while falling. The height of the task is only one part of the risk.
“A fall doesn’t have to be far to change a life,” said Richard Blais, WorkSafeNB’s vice-president of prevention. “When a task feels familiar or the height seems modest, the danger can easily be overlooked. Employers need to consider what could happen if someone falls and what needs to be in place to prevent it.”
Falls can arise in retail stores, offices, workshops, warehouses while working over water and construction sites. Stocking shelves, changing a light fixture, performing maintenance and accessing a vehicle can all expose workers to a fall.
WorkSafeNB urges employers to review these tasks with workers and supervisors to:
“Even routine jobs deserve proper planning,” Blais said. “Before someone climbs or works near unguarded edges, make sure they have a safe way to reach the work and the right equipment to prevent falls.”
Fall prevention also extends to the surfaces people walk and work on. Same level falls are not only a New Brunswick concern, but a national one as well. The Association of the Workers’ Compensation Board of Canada (AWCBC) recorded over 43,000 such claims in 2024 including over 880 in New Brunswick.
November’s Fall Prevention Month is an opportunity to address the broader burden of slips, trips and falls.
With winter approaching, employers should prepare for snow, ice and water tracked indoors. Assigning responsibility for snow clearing and ice treatment, maintaining well-lit walking routes, and addressing drainage, loose mats and clutter can help prevent injuries at ground level.
WorkSafeNB offers resources employers can use with supervisors, workers and joint health and safety committees, including:
Employers are encouraged to use these resources to review everyday tasks and make fall prevention part of regular work planning and maintenance throughout the year.