A fall protection system includes a mast assembly including a fixed mast section, a movable mast section, and a winch assembly. The fall protection system further includes a locking mechanism adapted to lock the movable mast section relative to the fixed mast section. The locking mechanism includes a locking pawl connected to the winch assembly. The locking pawl is adapted to rotate between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The locking pawl engages with the fixed mast section in the engaged position to prevent relative movement between the fixed mast section and the movable mast section. The locking mechanism also includes at least one spring adapted to bias the locking pawl towards the engaged position. Further, the winch assembly is adapted to retain the locking pawl in the disengaged position against the biasing of the at least one spring based on a tension selectively applied by the winch assembly.