Navigating Scaffold Regulations in Ontario: Ensuring Safety and Compliance

In the dynamic construction industry of Ontario, scaffold regulations serve as vital guidelines aimed at safeguarding workers, promoting site safety, and ensuring operational efficiency. Scaffolds, essential temporary structures providing elevated work platforms, must adhere to stringent regulatory standards to mitigate risks such as falls, collapses, and other hazards. In this blog post, we’ll explore the scaffold regulations in Ontario, outlining key requirements, compliance measures, and best practices for construction professionals to foster a safe working environment.

Key Regulatory Framework

Scaffold regulations in Ontario are primarily governed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its associated regulations under Regulation 213/91: Construction Projects. These regulations outline specific requirements for the design, erection, use, and dismantling of scaffolds to protect workers’ health and safety. Key aspects include:

• Every scaffold shall be designed and constructed to support or resist,

1. Two times the maximum load or force to which it is likely to be subjected, without exceeding the allowable unit stresses for the materials of which it is made; 
2. Four times the maximum load or force to which it is likely to be subjected without overturning.

• Every scaffold,

1. Shall have uprights braced diagonally in the horizontal and vertical planes to prevent lateral movement
2. Shall have horizontal members that are adequately secured in order to avoid lateral movement and that do not have splices between the points of support
3. Shall have footing, sills, or supports that are sound, rigid, and capable of supporting at least 2 times the maximum load to which the scaffold may be subjected without settlement or deformation that may affect the stability of the scaffold
4. Shall have all fittings and gear, including base plates or wheels, installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
5. Shall have connecting devices between frames that provide positive engagement in tension and compression
6. Shall have safety catches on all hooks
7. Shall be adequately secured at vertical intervals not exceeding 3 times the least lateral dimension of the scaffold measured at the base, to prevent lateral movement

• A scaffold mounted on wheels aka. (Rolling scaffold) 

1. Shall be equipped with a suitable braking device on each castor or wheel
2. Shall have brakes applied when a worker is on the scaffold
3. Shall be equipped with guy lines or outriggers to prevent its overturning if the height of the scaffold platform exceeds 3 times the least lateral dimension of the scaffold measured at the base. If outriggers are used, measure between the outriggers.
4. No rolling scaffold that has a platform 2.4 meters (7.87 feet) above the base shall be moved when a worker is on it unless, the worker is wearing a full body harness as a part of a fall arrest system attached to a fixed support and the scaffold is being moved on a firm and level surface

• A scaffold shall be designed by an engineer and erected in accordance with the design if the scaffold exceeds,

1. 15 meters (49.21 feet) in height above its base support if the scaffold is constructed of system scaffold,
2.  10 meters (32.81 feet) in height above its base support if it is constructed of Tube and Clamp

• Only a competent worker shall supervise the erection, alteration and dismantle of a scaffold.
• Every scaffold platform and other work platform shall be designed, constructed and maintained to support or resist, without exceeding the allowable unit stresses of which it is constructed,

1. All loads from which it is likely to be subjected
2. At least 2.4 kilonewtons/square meter, (50.13 lb/square foot)

• A scaffold platform or other work platform,

1. Shall be at least 460mm wide
2. Shall be provided with a means of access
3. Shall not have any unguarded openings
4.  Shall have each component secured against slipping from its supports
5. Shall be provided with a guard rail system consisting of a top rail, a mid rail and a toe board if the worker will be exposed to 2.4 meters (7.87 feet) or more.  
6. The guard rail system shall meet the following criteria;

• The top rail of the guardrail system shall be located at least 0.9 meters (35.43 inches) but not more than 1.1 meters (43.31 inches) above the surface from which the system is installed and be capable of resisting a point load of 675 newtons (151.74 pound-force) applied in a lateral direction and a point load of 450 newtons (103.19 pound-force) applied in a vertical downward direction
• The Mid rail of the guardrail system shall be located mid way between the top rail and the toe board and capable of resisting a point load of 450 newtons (103.19 pound-force) in a lateral or downward direction or horizontal direction to the rail
• The toe board shall extend from the surface to which the guardrail system is attached to a height of at least 89 millimeters (3.5 inches) and resist a point load of 225 newtons applied in a lateral direction.
• The distance between any 2 adjacent posts of the guard rail system may be greater than 2.4 meters (7.87 feet) only if the system is capable of resisting the loads specified above in portion to the greater distance between the posts.

Conclusion

Scaffold regulations in Ontario are essential for protecting the health and safety of construction workers and ensuring compliance with legal standards. By understanding and adhering to these regulations, construction companies can mitigate risks associated with scaffold use, promote a culture of safety, and achieve efficient project outcomes. Remember, in scaffold operations, adherence to regulations and proactive safety measures are paramount to creating a secure working environment for all involved.