NEW BRUNSWICK · N.B. REG. 91-191 · SS. 49 – 50.5

Fall Protection in New Brunswick: Regulation 91-191 Explained

What New Brunswick's General Regulation requires for work at height: the 3 m trigger, the order of fall-protection systems, when you need a written code of practice, training records, anchors and rescue.

Quick answerIn New Brunswick, a fall-protection system is required when working from an unguarded area 3 m or more above a safe level, or at any height over a hazardous surface, an open tank or vat, or where an officer requires it (s. 49). Guardrails, travel restraint or fall-restricting systems come first; fall arrest only when those aren't practical (s. 50). At 7.5 m or more you need a written fall-protection code of practice (s. 50.2).

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Reg. 91-191 s. 49
3 m trigger
Code of practice at 7.5 m
22 kN anchors

NEW BRUNSWICK FALL PROTECTION ◆ GENERAL REGULATION 91-191 ◆ 3 M TRIGGER ◆ CODE OF PRACTICE AT 7.5 M ◆ 22 KN ANCHORS ◆ RESCUE PROCEDURE FIRST

New Brunswick fall protection requirements at a glance

THE NUMBERS THAT MATTER

Trigger height3 mUnguarded work area above a safe level; any height over hazards, tanks or vats (s. 49(1)).

Order of systemsGuard firstGuardrail, travel restraint or fall-restricting system before fall arrest (s. 50(1)).

7.5 m or moreCode of practiceA written fall-protection code of practice on site before work starts (s. 50.2).

Anchors22 kNOr 4× the maximum load under a competent person's direction (s. 49.2(1)).

Free fall1.8 m maxOr a shock load no more than 8 kN (s. 49.2(2)).

Anchor checksEvery 12 monthsInspected and certified by a competent person before first use and at least yearly (s. 49.3(3)).

Who regulates fall protection in New Brunswick

REGULATOR · LAW · OFFICIAL TEXT

New Brunswick's rules are in the General Regulation, N.B. Reg. 91-191, made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Fall protection sits in Part VII (Protective Equipment), sections 49 to 50.5. WorkSafeNB administers the Act and enforces the regulation.

When fall protection is required in New Brunswick

S. 49

The employer must provide, and the worker must continually use, a fall-protection system when working:

from an unguarded work area 3 m or more above a safe level;
above a surface or object that could cause injury, or above an open-top tank, bin or vat;
where the work area could tip or fail; or
where an officer requires it.

Towers and wood poles 3 m or more have their own rules (s. 49(2) to (5)), and some work is exempt, such as work kept more than 3 m from an unguarded edge on a slope of 3 in 12 or less (s. 49(6)).

Which fall protection system comes first in New Brunswick?

S. 50

Guardrail, travel restraint or fall-restricting system; otherwise
Fall-arresting system: a fitted full body harness, a self-retracting or energy-absorbing lanyard, and an anchor (s. 49.2(1)).

No guardrails as the system on slopes steeper than 6 in 12 (s. 50(2)).
A control zone only where no system is practical, and never on slopes steeper than 3 in 12 or on scaffolds (s. 50(3) and (4)).
All components must be compatible with each other and with the work (s. 50.4(3)).

New Brunswick fall protection code of practice rules

S. 50.2

A written fall-protection code of practice is required where fall protection is needed and the work is 7.5 m or more up, involves non-emergency rope access or roof weatherproofing with a safety monitor, or an officer asks for one. It must be on site before work starts, developed with the health and safety committee or representative, explained to workers, and cover the hazards, the workers at risk, the methods and equipment, emergency procedures, training and the person responsible.

Training, anchors and rescue in New Brunswick

SS. 49.2 – 50.5

Training: before entering a fall-risk area, workers get instruction on the system and the rescue procedure (s. 50.1). A competent person trains them in use, maintenance and inspection, with a written record of the worker, date, trainer and agency (s. 50.3). The employer reviews the training at least once a year with the committee or representative.

Anchors: 22 kN, or four times the maximum load under a competent person's direction (s. 49.2(1)). Sketches of permanent anchors are given to workers and posted near the roof access (s. 49.3(2)).

Rescue: a rescue procedure must be developed, and workers trained in it, before any fall-arresting system is used (s. 49.2(4) and (5)). Any component that has arrested a fall comes out of service (s. 49.2(6)).

Equipment: components must meet the CSA standards the regulation lists, including CSA Z259.10 for full body harnesses and CSA Z259.11 for energy absorbers and lanyards (s. 49.1).

Fall protection gear for New Brunswick roofs and jobsites

ANCHORS, HARNESSES, GUARDRAILS

Before you buyEvery product page states its actual certification (CSA or ANSI/OSHA). Check it against the standards your site and Regulation 91-191 require before you buy.

Official New Brunswick fall protection regulation links

SOURCES

This page is a plain-language summary to help you plan, not legal advice. Regulations change: check the current official text linked above, or call your regulator, before you rely on it. Summary checked October 2026.

More fall protection guides for Canadian jobsites

GUIDES & CHECKLISTS

New Brunswick fall protection — common questions

ANSWERS YOU CAN CITE

Do I need a fall protection plan in New Brunswick?

You need a written fall-protection code of practice when fall protection is required and the work is 7.5 m or more up, involves non-emergency rope access or weatherproofing with a safety monitor, or an officer requires one (s. 50.2).

At what height is fall protection required in New Brunswick?

From an unguarded work area 3 m or more above a safe level, and at any height above a hazardous surface, an open tank, bin or vat, or where the work area could tip or fail (s. 49(1)).

How strong must an anchor be in New Brunswick?

22 kN, or four times the maximum load under a competent person's direction, and anchors are inspected and certified by a competent person at least every 12 months (ss. 49.2, 49.3).