Elevating Work Platforms

Operation of an elevating work platform may become dangerous if it is not used, maintained or stored in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Common hazards associated with platform use can be caused by overriding safety features, working near powerlines, overloading the platform, poor maintenance, unauthorized modifications, misuse of the equipment, soft or sloped ground conditions, improper loading, and improper set up of equipment. Hazards can include crushing, tipping, ejection, electrocution, and contact from passing vehicular equipment.


All elevating work platforms must be designed and certified by a professional engineer, as being in compliance with the following CSA standard.

  • CAN3-B354.1-M82, “Elevating Rolling Work Platform”
  • CAN3-B354.2-M82,and CAN3-B354.3-M82 “Self-Propelled Elevating Work Platform”
  • CAN3-B354.4-M82, “Boom-Type Elevating Work Platforms”
  • CAN-CSA-C225-10, “Vehicle-Mounted Aerial Device”

The owner of an elevating work platform must follow the manufacturer’s instructions to maintain it, such that the safety factors of the original design are maintained.

Signs must be posted on the elevating platform, in clear view of the operator, which denote:

  • the rated working load
  • all limiting operating conditions including the use of outriggers, stabilizers and extendable axles
  • specific firm level surface conditions necessary for safe use of the platform in the elevated position
  • all manufacture’s warnings
  • direction of machine movement for each operating control, unless a boom-type platform
  • the applicable CSA standards
  • the name and address of the owner
  • any additional decals identified by the manufacturer

Elevating work platforms must be inspected by a trained worker each day before being used. Near the operator’s station, a maintenance and inspection record tag must be attached which indicates the date of the last maintenance and inspection, the name and signature of the person who performed the work, and that the maintenance was done according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The instruction manual must also be available on each platform and kept in good condition.

Owners or suppliers must keep a log of all inspections, tests, repairs, modifications, and maintenance. The log must be kept up to date and include names and signatures of persons who performed inspections and other work.

An elevating work platform must:

  • not be loaded in excess of its rated working load
  • be used and moved only according to the manufacturer’s written instructions
  • not be loaded and used in a way that affects its stability or endanger a worker
  • not be moved unless all workers on it are protected from ejection by being attached to an adequate fixed support on the elevating work platform by a method of fall protection. (This provision does not apply to a mast climbing work platform or a mast climbing transport platform if the platform has guardrails protecting all open sides of the platform where a worker is exposed to a hazard of falling 2.4 metres or more)

An elevating work platform that is a boom type or a vehicle-mounted aerial device shall not be used unless all workers on it are protected from falling by being attached to an adequate fixed support on the elevating work platform by a method of fall protection.

Workers must:

  • be competent to operate the elevating work platform
  • be given oral and written instruction before using the platform for the first time and be trained to operate that class of elevating work platform. The training must include:
    • the manufacturer's instructions
    • the load limitations of each device
    • a hands-on demonstration of the proper use of all controls;
    • limitations on the kinds of surfaces on which it is designed to be used
  • follow any education or training provided by your employer about elevated platforms
  • inspect every elevating platform each day before use, according to manufacturer's instructions
  • not move the platform unless all workers on it are protected from ejection by being attached to an adequate fixed support on the elevating work platform by a method of fall protection
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for set up and limitations
  • always stay within the specified operating range of an elevated work platform and use them only on firm surfaces
  • be aware of changing workplace conditions and report problems with the equipment

Construction Projects
O. Reg. 213/91

Part II GENERAL CONSTRUCTION

Section 96

96. (1) No worker shall operate a vehicle or powered machine, tool or equipment at a project unless he or she is competent to do so.

(2) However, a worker being trained in the operation of a vehicle or powered machine, tool or equipment may operate it while being instructed and supervised by a competent person.

[O. Reg. 145/00, s. 26; 345/15, s. 15]

Section 144

144. (1) An elevating work platform shall be designed by a professional engineer in accordance with good engineering practice,

(a) to meet the requirements of the applicable National Standards of Canada standard, set out in the Table to subsection (6); and

(b) to support a minimum of 1.3 kilonewtons rated working load as determined in accordance with the applicable National Standards of Canada standard set out in the Table to subsection (6).

(2) An elevating work platform shall be manufactured in accordance with the design referred to in subsection (1).

(3) An elevating work platform,

(a) shall be tested in accordance with the National Standards of Canada standard set out in the Table to subsection (6); and

(b) shall be inspected each day before use, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions by a worker trained in accordance with section 147.

(4) An elevating work platform shall only be used if a professional engineer has certified in writing that it complies with the National Standards of Canada standard set out in the Table to subsection (6).

(5) The certification required by subsection (4) shall include the details of testing.

(6) The National Standards of Canada standard applicable to the type of elevating work platform listed in Column 1 of the Table to this subsection are the standards set out opposite it in Column 2.

TABLE

Item Column 1 Column 2
Type of elevating work platform National Standards of Canada standard
1 Elevating Rolling Work Platform CAN3- B354.1-M82
2 Self-Propelled Elevating Work Platform CAN3- B354.2-M82 and CAN3- B354.3-M82
3 Boom-Type Elevating Work Platform CAN3- B354.4-M82
4 Vehicle-Mounted Aerial Device CAN/CSA- C225-10

(7) An elevating work platform shall be equipped with guardrails.

(8) An elevating work platform shall have signs that are clearly visible to an operator at its controls indicating,

(a) the rated working load;

(b) all limiting operating conditions including the use of outriggers, stabilizers and extendable axles;

(c) the specific firm level surface conditions required for use in the elevated position;

(d) such warnings as may be specified by the manufacturer;

(e) other than for a boom-type elevating work platform, the direction of machine movement for each operating control;

(f) the name and number of the National Standards of Canada standard to which it was designed; and

(g) the name and address of the owner.

[O. Reg. 345/15, s. 17]

Section 145

145. (1) The owner of an elevating work platform shall maintain it such that the safety factors of the original design are maintained.

(2) The owner of an elevating work platform shall keep a permanent record of all inspections, tests, repairs, modifications and maintenance performed on it.

(3) The permanent record required by subsection (2),

(a) shall be kept up-to-date;

(b) shall include complete records from the more recent of,

(i) the date of purchase, or

(ii) May 10, 1991; and

(c) shall include the signature and name of the person who performed the inspection, test, repair, modification or maintenance.

[O. Reg. 142/17, s. 20]

Section 146

146. A maintenance and inspection record tag,

(a) shall be provided and attached to the elevating work platform near the operator's station; and

(b) shall include,

(i) the date of the last maintenance and inspection;

(ii) the signature and name of the person who performed the maintenance and inspection; and

(iii) an indication that the maintenance has been carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

Section 147

147. (1) A worker who operates an elevating work platform shall, before using it for the first time, be given oral and written instruction on the operation and be trained to operate that class of elevating work platform.

(2) The instruction and training required by subsection (1) shall include,

(a) the manufacturer's instruction;

(b) instruction in the load limitations;

(c) instruction in and a hands-on demonstration of the proper use of all controls; and

(d) instruction in the limitations on the kinds of surfaces on which it is designed to be used.

Section 148

148. (1) An elevating work platform,

(a) shall not be loaded in excess of its rated working load;

(b) shall be used and moved only in accordance with the manufacturer’s written instructions;

(c) shall not be loaded or used in such a manner as to affect its stability or endanger a worker;

(d) shall not be moved unless all workers on it are protected from ejection by being attached to an adequate anchorage point on the elevating work platform by a method of fall protection; and

(e) shall not be used, in the case of a self-propelled or vehicle-mounted boom-type elevating work platform or a vehicle-mounted aerial device, unless all workers on it are attached to an adequate anchorage point on the elevating work platform by a method of fall protection.

(2) Clause (1) (d) does not apply to,

(a) a mast climbing work platform or a mast climbing transport platform if the platform has guardrails protecting all open sides of the platform where a worker is exposed to a hazard of falling 2.4 metres or more; and

(b) a vehicle-mounted aerial device if the non-conductive requirements of the basket prevent the placement of an anchorage attachment inside the basket.

(3) Repealed. [O. Reg. 242/16, s. 14]

[O. Reg. 345/15, s. 18; 242/16, s. 14; 142/17, s. 21]

Section 149

149. An operator's manual for an elevating work platform shall be kept with it while it is on a project.

Cranes, Hoisting and Rigging