Scaffolding for Ontario legislation

Source excerpt

## OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2020 ## Limited use of certain scaffolds - 12-4 (1) An employer or contractor shall ensure that the following types of scaffolds are used only as light-duty scaffolds: - (a) half-horse scaffolds; - (b) ladderjack scaffolds; - (c) single-pole scaffolds. - (2) An employer or contractor shall ensure that the following types of scaffolds are used only as light-duty scaffolds unless the scaffold is designed by a professional engineer and constructed, erected, used, maintained and dismantled in accordance with that design: - (a) bracket scaffolds; - (b) outrigger scaffolds; - (c) suspended scaffolds; - (d) suspended powered scaffolds. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s12-4. ## General requirements - 12-5 (1) An employer or contractor shall ensure that: - (a) every light-duty scaffold is designed and constructed to support: - (i) a minimum working load of 3.63 kilonewtons per lineal metre of platform width applied vertically and uniformly across an independent platform section along an imaginary line drawn perpendicular to the platform edge anywhere along the length of the section; and - (ii) a minimum uniformly distributed working load of 1.20 kilonewtons per square metre, acting simultaneously with the concentrated load specified in subclause (i); and - (b) every heavy-duty scaffold is designed and constructed to support: - (i) a minimum working load of 3.88 kilonewtons per lineal metre of platform width applied vertically and uniformly across an independent platform section along an imaginary line drawn perpendicular to the platform edge anywhere along the length of the section; and - (ii) a minimum uniformly distributed working load of 3.60 kilonewtons per square metre, acting simultaneously with the concentrated load specified in subclause (i). - (2) An employer or contractor shall ensure that every scaffold is: - (a) designed, constructed, erected, used and maintained so as to perform safely any task that the scaff…

Source excerpt

- (3) Temporary ramps and platforms shall be - (a) securely fastened in place; - (b) braced if necessary to ensure their stability; and - (c) provided with cleats or surfaced in a manner that provides a safe footing for employees. - (4) A temporary ramp shall be so constructed that its slope does not exceed - (a) where the temporary ramp is installed in the stairwell of a building not exceeding two storeys in height, 1 in 1, if cross cleats are provided at regular intervals not exceeding 300 mm; and - (b) in any other case, 1 in 3. SOR/2019-246, s. 18(F). ## Scaffolds - 3.10 (1) The erection, use, dismantling or removal of a scaffold shall be carried out by or under the supervision of a qualified person. - (2) The footings and supports of every scaffold shall be capable of carrying, without dangerous settling, all loads that are likely to be imposed on them. - (3) Every scaffold shall be capable of supporting at least four times the load that is likely to be imposed on it. - (4) The platform of every scaffold shall be at least 480 - mm wide and securely fastened in place. SOR/2019-246, s. 19(F). ## Portable Ladders - 3.11 (1) Commercially manufactured portable ladders shall meet the standards set out in CSA Standard CAN 3 -Z 11 -M 81, Portable Ladders , the English version of which is dated September, 1981, as amended to March, 1983 and the French version of which is dated August, 1982, as amended to June, 1983. - (2) Subject to subsection ( 3 ), every portable ladder shall, while being used, - (a) be placed on a firm footing; and - (3) Les passerelles et les plates-formes temporaires doivent être : - a) solidement attachées; - b) entretoisées au besoin pour en assurer la stabilité; - c) munies de taquets ou revêtues de manière à fournir aux employés une prise de pied en toute sécurité. - (4) Les passerelles temporaires doivent être construites comme suit : - a) dans le cas d'une passerelle temporaire installée dans la cage…

Source excerpt

## TRAINING REQUIREMENTS ## §1926.454 Training Requirements. This section supplements and clarifies the requirements of §1926.21(b)(2) as these relate to the hazards of work on scaffolds. - (a) The employer shall have each employee who performs work while on a scaffold trained by a person qualified in the subject matter to recognize the hazards associated with the type of scaffold being used and to understand the procedures to control or minimize those hazards. The training shall include the following areas, as applicable: - (1) The nature of any electrical hazards, fall hazards and falling object hazards in the work area; - (2) The correct procedures for dealing with electrical hazards and for erecting, maintaining, and disassembling the fall protection systems and falling object protection systems being used; - (3) The proper use of the scaffold, and the proper handling of materials on the scaffold; - (4) The maximum intended load and the load-carrying capacities of the scaffolds used; and - (5) Any other pertinent requirements of this subpart. - (b) The employer shall have each employee who is involved in erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, maintaining, or inspecting a scaffold trained by a competent person to recognize any hazards associated with the work in question. The training shall include the following topics, as applicable: - (1) The nature of scaffold hazards; - (2) The correct procedures for erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, inspecting, and maintaining the type of scaffold in question; - (3) The design criteria, maximum intended load-carrying capacity and intended use of the scaffold; - (4) Any other pertinent requirements of this subpart. - (c) When the employer has reason to believe that an employee lacks the skill or understanding needed for safe work involving the erection, use or dismantling of scaffolds, the employer shall retrain each such employee so that the requisite proficiency is regained. Retra…

Source excerpt

326 (7) Subsection (6) does not apply to a competent worker who is involved in the erection, inspection or dismantling of a scaffold. 326 (8) Repealed. ## Vertical ladder on scaffold - 327 (1) An employer must ensure that a vertical ladder that gives access to a working level of a scaffold is used by a worker only to move up or down between levels of the scaffold. - 327 (2) Workers moving between levels of a scaffold on a vertical ladder - (a) must not extend a part of their body, other than an arm, beyond the side rails of the ladder, and - (b) must maintain a 3-point stance on the ladder at all times. - 327 (3) The employer must ensure that a ladder attached to a scaffold and providing access to a working level of a scaffold - (a) is securely fastened to the scaffold, - (b) does not lean away from the scaffold, - (c) extends at least 1 metre above the uppermost working level of the scaffold, - (d) has rungs that are uniformly spaced at a centre-to-centre distance of 250 millimetres to 305 millimetres, - (e) has a maximum unbroken length of 9.1 metres measured from the ground or between working levels, and - (f) is equipped with a ladder cage that begins within 2.4 metres of the ground or working level if the ladder is more than 6.1 metres in height. - 327 (4) The employer must ensure that the ladder cage required by subsection (3)(f) is - (a) circular with an inside diameter that measures no more than 760 millimetres, or - (b) square with inside dimensions that measure no more than 760 millimetres by 760 millimetres. 327 (5) Despite subsection (3)(e) and (f), the ladder may have a maximum unbroken length of more than 9.1 metres and does not require a ladder cage if a fall protection system complying with Part 9 is used. ## Working from a ladder 328 (1) An employer must ensure that no worker performs work from a ladder that is used to give access to the working levels of a scaffold. 328 (2) A worker must not perform work from a ladder that is used to give ac…

Source excerpt

## OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2020 - (b) is at least 1 metre wide in the case of a heavy-duty scaffold; and - (c) is level or, if used as a ramp, has a slope at an angle not steeper than 5 horizontal to 1 vertical. - (4) A single manufactured extending painter's plank, or a plank that is 51 x 305 millimetre, number 1 structural grade spruce lumber or material of equivalent or greater strength, may be used in a ladderjack scaffold. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s12-7. ## Wooden scaffolds 12-8 (1) An employer or contractor shall ensure that the dimensions of members of a light-duty wooden scaffold that is less than 6 metres in height are not less than the dimensions specified in Table 12 of the Appendix. - (2) An employer or contractor shall ensure that a wooden scaffold is constructed of unpainted number 1 structural grade spruce lumber or material of equivalent or greater strength. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s12-8. ## Metal scaffolds 12-9 (1) If a metal scaffold is used, an employer or contractor shall ensure that the metal scaffold is: - (a) erected, used, maintained and dismantled in accordance with the manufacturer's or professional engineer's specifications and recommendations; and - (b) inspected, by a competent person, before use and daily when in use for any damage, deterioration or weakening of the scaffold or the scaffold's components. - (2) If a metal scaffold or a component of a metal scaffold is damaged, deteriorated or weakened so that the strength or stability of the scaffold is affected, an employer or contractor shall ensure that the scaffold is not used until the scaffold or component is repaired or replaced by a competent person in accordance with the manufacturer's or a professional engineer's specifications and recommendations. - (3) If a metal scaffold is a tube and clamp scaffold, an employer or contractor shall ensure that: - (a) joints in adjacent uprights are staggered and do not occur in the same tier; - (b) joints in u…

Source excerpt

325 (3) An employer must ensure that a scaffold used to carry the equivalent of an evenly distributed load of more than 367 kilograms per square metre is - (a) designed and certified by a professional engineer, and - (b) constructed, maintained and used in accordance with the certified specifications. - 325 (4) Subsection (3) applies to a type of scaffold that is not otherwise specifically referred to in this Code. 325 (5) An employer must ensure that all workers on a scaffold are informed of the maximum load that the scaffold is permitted to carry. ## Tagging requirements 326 (1) An employer must ensure that a scaffold is colour coded using tags at each point of entry indicating its status and condition as follows: - (a) a green tag with 'Safe for Use', or similar wording, to indicate it is safe for use; - (b) a yellow tag with 'Caution: Potential or Unusual Hazard', or similar wording, to indicate the presence of a potential or unusual hazard; - (c) a red tag with 'Unsafe for Use', or similar wording, to indicate it is not safe to use. 326 (2) An employer must ensure that a bracket scaffold, double-pole scaffold, needle-beam scaffold, outrigger scaffold, single-pole scaffold, suspended scaffold or swingstage scaffold erected but not immediately put into service, or not used for more than 21 consecutive calendar days, has a red tag at each point of entry until it is inspected and tagged by a competent worker for use. - 326 (3) An employer must ensure that a bracket scaffold, double-pole scaffold, needle-beam scaffold, outrigger scaffold, single-pole scaffold, suspended scaffold or swingstage scaffold is inspected and tagged by a competent worker before it is used for the first time and at intervals of not more than 21 calendar days while workers work from the scaffold or materials are stored on it. 326 (4) A tag attached to a scaffold under this section expires 21 calendar days after the date of the inspection it records. - 326 (5) A tag required by this s…

Source excerpt

- (b) designed, constructed and erected to support or resist: - (i) in the case of a wooden scaffold, at least 4 times the load that may be imposed on the scaffold; - (ii) in the case of a metal scaffold, at least 2.2 times the load that may be imposed on the scaffold; - (iii) in the case of any components suspending any part of a scaffold supporting workers, at least 10 times the load that may be imposed on those components; and - (iv) 4 times the maximum load or force to which the scaffold is likely to be subjected without overturning; and - (c) erected, maintained and dismantled by a competent worker. - (3) An employer or contractor shall ensure that a freestanding scaffold is restrained from overturning by guying or other suitable means. - (4) An employer or contractor shall ensure that a scaffold that is built from the ground or other surface: - (a) is supported by a foundation that is of sufficient area, stability and strength to ensure the stability of the scaffold; - (b) is set level on a stable sill that is at least 38 x 240 millimetres and continuous under at least 2 consecutive supports; - (c) has a base plate installed in any upright that could penetrate the sill; - (d) is supported against lateral movement by adequate, secure bracing; - (e) is anchored: - (i) vertically at not less than 4-metre intervals and horizontally at not less than 6-metre intervals; - (ii) if designed by a professional engineer, at intervals recommended by a professional engineer; or - (iii) if commercially manufactured, at intervals recommended by the manufacturer; - (f) is provided with internal stairways or ladders if the scaffold is 9 metres or more in height; and - (g) is checked to ensure that the scaffold is plumb and level after each tier is added. - (5) If a scaffold is partially or fully enclosed, an employer or contractor shall ensure that all scaffold components and tie-ins are adequate to support the added load that may be placed on the scaffold as a …

Source excerpt

S-15.1 REG 10 ## OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2020 - (2) An employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that every area where a worker could be struck by a falling object is clearly marked by barriers, notices, warning lights or other warning devices. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s9-8. ## Protection from objects falling from scaffolds, etc. - 9-9 (1) If a suspended scaffold, suspended powered scaffold or load-carrying unit is suspended from or attached to a structure, an employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that wire mesh, or other material equally effective to prevent objects from falling from the working surface, is installed from the working surface to a height of at least 900 millimetres on all sides except the side adjacent to the structure. - (2) An employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that wire mesh is installed from the working surface of a platform to a height of 2 metres on all sides of: - (a) a tower hoist as defined in section 13-1; - (b) a building shaft hoist; and - (c) a hoist cage in an excavated shaft. - (3) If it is necessary to hoist or lower materials that are of such a nature that the sides of a cantilever hoist platform or skip cannot be equipped as required by subsection (1), an employer, contractor or owner shall provide another equally effective means for the protection of workers against falling materials. - (4) If it is necessary for workers to pass through a safeguard required by this section, an employer, contractor or owner shall install a gate that is equally effective to prevent objects from falling from the working surface and shall ensure that the gate is kept closed except when the gate is in use. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s9-9. ## Handrails - 9-10 (1) An employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that a stairway with 5 or more treads: - (a) is equipped with a handrail that: - (i) extends the entire length of the stairway; - (ii) is adequately secured to the structure; - (iii) is installed on …

Source excerpt

S-15.1 REG 10 ## OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2020 ## Toeboards - 9-12 (1) An employer, contractor or owner shall provide toeboards at the edge of: - (a) a permanent floor, platform, mezzanine, walkway, ramp, runway or other surface from which it is possible for materials to fall more than 1.2 metres; - (b) a temporary scaffold or work platform from which it is possible for materials to fall more than 3 metres; and - (c) a pit for a flywheel or pulley. - (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a loading or unloading area if the employer, contractor or owner has taken other precautions to ensure that materials will not fall from the floor or other horizontal surface. - (3) If a toeboard is required by these regulations, an employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that the toeboard extends from the floor or other horizontal surface to a height of not less than: - (a) 125 millimetres from the floor or surface; or - (b) 100 millimetres from the floor or surface, in the case of a toeboard that was installed before March 13, 1986. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s9-12. ## Openings in floors, roofs, etc. - 9-13 (1) An employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that any opening or hole in a floor, roof or other work surface into which a worker could step or fall is: - (a) covered with a securely installed covering that is capable of supporting a load of 360 kilograms per square metre and that is provided with a warning sign or permanent marking clearly indicating the nature of the hazard; or - (b) provided with a guardrail and a toeboard. - (2) If the covering or guardrail and toeboard mentioned in subsection (1) or any part of the guardrail or toeboard is removed for any reason, an employer, contractor or owner shall immediately provide an effective alternative means of protection. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s9-13. ## Building shafts - 9-14 (1) An employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that a work platform that is an integral part of a slip form used…