4.06 – Ladders & Scaffolds

POLICY

Griffin Properties Ltd. will take all reasonable precautions/measures to ensure all ladders and scaffolds onsite are erected, maintained, used, and dismantled in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and OHS Regulation Part 13.

PROCEDURE

Ladders
  1. All Manufactured portable ladders will be marked for the grade of material used to construct the ladder and the use for which the ladder is constructed.
  2. All job-built ladders will be constructed in accordance with WeB Standard LOR 1.
  3. Ladders will be positioned as follows:
    • a) on a firm and level base
    • b) so that the horizontal distance from the base to vertical plane of support is approximately % of the ladder length
    • c) to project approximately 3 feet above the upper landing to which it provides access if applicable
  4. Ladders will be used as follows:
    • a) in accordance with manufacturers instruction
    • b) for jobs of short duration or temporary nature only
    • c) workers will not carry up or down a ladder, heavy or bulky objects or any other objects which may make ascent or descent unsafe
    • d) three-point contact will be maintained by user/worker
    • e) user/worker will stay positioned in the center of the ladder at all times
  5. In addition to (4) step ladders will only be used when they are fully open and the spreaders are locked; workers are not permitted to stand on the top two steps under any circumstances.
  6. All ladders onsite will be inspected in accordance with established company policy/procedure. (Inspections)
Scaffolds
  1. All scaffolding will be used in accordance with manufacturer’s instruction; any scaffold designed by a professional engineer will have all technical data and specifications available onsite at all times.
  2. If any of the following conditions are present, scaffolding will be designed by a professional engineer with respect to:
    • a) bracing, if the scaffold is enclosed by a tarpaulin or any other cover
    • b) a scaffold exceeding 125′ in height
    • c) a scaffold exceeding 80′ in height if stairways are included as part of the scaffold
    • d) a scaffold used to support a temporary floor
    • e) a scaffold suspended or cantilevered from a structure
    • f) a scaffold system supported by a catenary line
    • g) a needle beam scaffold
    • h) an outrigger scaffold
  3. All scaffolding onsite will be erected as follows:
    • a) with the vertical members plumb, and with the ledgers and bearers level
    • b) the base will have bearing plates or sills that rest on a solid surface and are sufficient to support the weight of the scaffold
    • c) poles, legs and uprights will be securely and rigidly braced to prevent movement
    • d) effectively guyed or secured to a building or structure if the height exceeds 3 times its minimum base dimension, or in any other circumstances if required for stability
    • e) unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer, height adjustment devices will not extend more than 2/3 of their total length or 24″, whichever is less
    • f) all connections between the parts will be secure
    • g) metal scaffolds will be effectively grounded if located close to a high voltage energized electrical conductor or equipment, and a hazardous level of electrical charge is likely to be induced in the scaffold
  4. Scaffolds erected above 10′ will have guardrails installed at all times in accordance with established company policy/procedures (Fall Protection), unless:
    • a) the platform is adjacent to a structure that provides protection equivalent to guardrails
    • b) the open space between the platform and the structure is equal to or less than 12″
  5. Scaffold decking will meet the following requirements:
    • a) minimum width of 20″, except when used with ladder jacks, pump jacks or similar systems a 12″ wide work platform may be used
    • b) not have more than one opening in the work platform, which will be no greater than 10″ wide
    • c) designed to ensure adequate footing for workers using the platform if the platform is not level
  6. All lumber used to construct a scaffold will be graded and marked to the National Lumber Grades Authority Standard Grading Rules for Canadian Lumber.
  7. All scaffolds onsite will be inspected in accordance with established company policy/procedure. (Inspections)
  8. A rolling scaffold with a worker on it will not be transported along the ground unless:
    • a) the scaffold that has a height of less than 1% times the minimum base dimension is moved by a worker on the platform, or
    • b) the scaffold that has a height of less than 2 times the minimum base dimension is moved by a worker on the ground
Training
  1. All employees will receive documented onsite training of the following:
    • a) policy, procedure, instruction and site specifics

FORMS

4.6a Ladder Inspection

4.6b Scaffold Inspection