PART III - Elevated Work Structures

Scope

This part of the directive enhances and/or supplements Part III (Temporary Structures and Excavations) [http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/L-2/SOR-86-304/31290.html#rid-31439] of the COHSR and should be read in that context.

Application

This part applies to portable ladders, temporary ramps and stairs, temporary elevated work bases used by employees and temporary elevated platforms used for materials.

Definitions

In this directive:

"elevated work structures"(charpente surélevée) means a structure or device that is used as an elevated work base for persons or as an elevated platform for material and includes any scaffold, stage or staging, walkway, decking, bridge, boatswain's chair, tower, crawling board, temporary floor, portable ladder or means of access or egress from any of the foregoing, and any safety net, landing or other device used in connection with such a structure;

"mobile elevated work structure"(charpente surélevée mobile) means a vehicle-mounted aerial device, elevating rolling work platform, boom-type elevating work platform or self-propelled elevating work platform.

3.1 Inspections

3.1.1 A qualified person shall visually inspect each temporary structure prior to each work shift to ensure, insofar as possible by such inspection, that it is safe to use and to ensure that a record of each inspection is made by the person who carried out the inspection.

3.2 Mobile Elevated Work Structures

3.2.1 Departments shall ensure that the design, construction, maintenance and use of every mobile elevated work structure shall comply with the appropriate standard.

3.2.2 To the extent that is practicable, where it is necessary to use or move a mobile elevated work structure with an employee on such a device, the person in charge shall ensure that the device is observed until it is no longer in motion.

3.3 Scaffolds

3.3.1 To the extent that is practicable, the design, construction and use of scaffolds shall meet the requirements of the appropriate standard.

3.4 Excavation

3.4.1 Each excavation in which an employee works shall be safe for use, and be used in a safe and proper manner, and

1. prior to a work shift, a qualified person shall undertake a safety inspection of each excavation to be used during that shift;
2. a record of each inspection shall be completed by the person who carried out the inspection;
3. every record referred to in paragraph (b):
   1. shall be signed by the person who carried out the inspection; and
   2. shall include:
      1. date of the inspection;
      2. identification and location of excavation;
      3. any observation that the person considers relevant to the safety of employees; and
      4. a declaration that in the opinion of the person carrying out the inspection, the excavation is safe for its intended use.