Scope
This part of the Directive enhances and supplements Part XIV (Materials Handling) [https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-86-304/page-24.html#h-895242] of the COHSR and should be read in that context.
14.1 General
14.1.1 Any policies and procedures that are specific to a department or agency and to any worksites will be developed in consultation with the policy and/or workplace committees.
14.2 General Responsibilities of Employees
14.2.1 Materials-handling equipment from which a safety device has been removed or rendered ineffective shall not be used or operated.
14.2.2 Except with the express approval of the person in charge, employees shall not remove or render ineffective a safety device with which any materials-handling equipment is fitted.
14.2.3 Employees shall not start the power unit of any materials-handling equipment until all drive clutches have been disengaged, all brakes set and the operator is assured that starting the power unit will not endanger any person.
14.3 General Design and Construction
14.3.1 To the extent reasonably practicable, seats provided for the operator and any passenger for which the motorized materials-handling equipment was designed shall be comfortable, well designed and constructed, equipped with adequate lateral restraints, safely located, and securely mounted.
14.4 Slow-moving Vehicles
14.4.1 Mobile equipment operated at a rate of speed of more than 30 km/h below the posted speed for a road or area shall be equipped with a slow-moving-vehicle warning device as prescribed by the laws of the province or territory in which the equipment is operated.
14.4.2 If the laws of the province or territory in which the mobile equipment is operated do not prescribe a slow-moving-vehicle warning device, the mobile equipment shall be equipped with a warning device in accordance with the requirements of the laws of an adjacent province or territory.
14.5 Control Systems
14.5.1 When practicable, any materials-handling equipment that has a moving part with a limit as to safe operating speed or safe travelling distance shall be equipped with an automatic control to prevent its speed or distance of travel from exceeding that limit.
14.5.2 All motorized materials-handling equipment powered by an internal combustion engine shall be fitted with a power-operated starting device.
14.6 Inspections, Testing and Maintenance
14.6.1 After each scheduled maintenance or repair, and before motorized or manual materials-handling equipment is used for the first time in a workplace, the employer shall set out instructions in writing for inspecting and testing that materials-handling equipment to ensure that it is safe for use before it is put into service.
14.7 Radio Transmitting Equipment
14.7.1 Radio transmitting equipment shall not be used as part of operating the materials-handling equipment before the person in charge ensures that other transmitting devices will not interfere with the reliable transmission of signals.
14.8 Parking
14.8.1 When reasonably practicable, all motorized material-handling equipment operated by any employee shall be shut down during any period in which it is unattended.
14.8.2 Cranes, hoists or similar materials-handling equipment shall not be left unattended, other than in a condition of maximum stability, unless safe measures approved by the person in charge are taken to prevent the equipment from tilting or accidentally moving.
14.9 Manual Handling
14.9.1 All weight limits and workplace designs need to be reassessed based on the current knowledge of ergonomics using the appropriate standard. The employer shall perform an assessment of task performance in lifting (angle used, height, frequency of lifting, etc.) as per the appropriate standard.
14.9.2 Employees whose primary tasks do not include manual lifting or carrying shall not be required to manually lift or carry materials, goods or objects weighing in excess of five kg.
14.9.3 Where any employee is required to manually lift or carry materials, goods, objects weighing in excess of five kg, the employer shall provide the employee with training, instructions and safe work procedures.
14.9.4 When an employee working in a health care environment is required to lift or carry persons, the employee shall be instructed and trained:
- in a safe method of lifting and carrying the persons that will minimize the stress on the body;
- in a work procedure appropriate to the employee's physical condition and the working conditions; and
- in the use of alternative means or methods of lifting and carrying persons.
14.10 Materials Storage
14.10.1 No materials, goods or objects shall be stored or placed in a manner that may conceal any warning signs or symbols.
14.11 Instruction and Training
14.11.1 The operator of any materials-handling equipment shall have ready access to the operating manuals and departmental safety standards that may be necessary for the safe and proper operation and maintenance of the materials-handling equipment.
14.11.2 The single code of signals shall be filed, made readily available and provided to each signaller, operator and other persons required to understand the signals and those employees shall be instructed, trained and tested in the use of the code.