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Home › Publications › OHS Regulation › Part 13 Ladders, Scaffolds and Temporary Work Platforms

Part 13 Ladders, Scaffolds and Temporary Work Platforms

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Division 5 - Movable Work Platforms

13.20 Marking of the equipment

(1) The following equipment must be clearly marked with a rated capacity:

(a) a platform that is suspended from or attached to a crane or hoist,

(b) an elevating work platform,

(d) a swing stage, and

(e) interchangeable load bearing components of a suspended work platform system.

(2) The rated load for allowable thrust-out beam projections must be clearly marked on a thrust-out beam.

(3) A swing stage platform, counterweight and hoist unit must each be clearly marked with their own weight.

(4) A work platform that is suspended from a crane or hoist or attached to a crane boom must be marked with the weight of the platform and rigging and the rated capacity.

[Enacted by B.C. Reg. 422/2004, effective January 1, 2005.]

13.21 Manuals

(1) For each elevating work platform in use at a workplace,

(a) the equipment manufacturer's operation manual must be available at the workplace, and

(b) the equipment manufacturer's maintenance manual, containing maintenance instructions and replacement part information, must be reasonably available to workers at the workplace.

(2) If either of the manuals required by subsection (1) is not available, the equipment must not be used until

(a) the manual is obtained, or

(b) written instructions for the safe operation and maintenance of the equipment are supplied by a professional engineer.

[Enacted by B.C. Reg. 422/2004, effective January 1, 2005.]

13.22 Maintenance of records

(1) The employer must keep records of inspection, maintenance, repair or modification that meet the requirements of Part 4 (General Conditions) for each

(a) elevating work platform,

(b) swing stage, and

(2) If the inspection and maintenance records, other than pre-shift inspections, are not available, the equipment must not be used until it has been inspected and certified safe for use by the manufacturer or a professional engineer.

[Enacted by B.C. Reg. 422/2004, effective January 1, 2005.]

13.23 Testing

(1) A vehicle-mounted elevating work platform and a self-propelled boom-supported elevating work platform must be

(a) inspected in accordance with good engineering practice at least every 12 months, and

(b) certified in writing by the equipment manufacturer or a professional engineer as complying with this Part and safe for use.

(2) An insulated elevating work platform must be dielectrically tested at least annually in accordance with the edition of CSA Standard CAN/CSA-C225 Vehicle-Mounted Aerial Devices that the device was designed to meet, or the most recent edition, as the circumstances require.

(3) The insulating capability of an insulated elevating work platform must be certified by the testing agency.

(4) If an insulated elevating work platform does not pass the testing method required by subsection (2) and subsection (3),

(a) the platform must be considered non-insulated,

(b) any markings or identification on the device indicating insulated capability must be removed or effectively covered over, and

(5) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 243/2006, effective January 1, 2007.]

[Enacted by B.C. Reg. 422/2004, effective January 1, 2005.]

13.24 Work platforms on wheels

(1) If a moveable work platform on wheels is not designed for or intended to be moved along the floor or other supporting surface while a person is occupying the platform, the platform must be secured to prevent that movement before a person accesses or occupies the platform.

(2) If a moveable work platform is designed for and intended to be moved along the floor or other supporting surface while a person is occupying the platform, the platform must be moved only in the manner and under the conditions specified by the platform's manufacturer.

(3) Despite subsection (2), if the height of the work platform of a rolling scaffold that is occupied by a person is

(a) not more than one and one half times the least base dimension of the scaffold, the scaffold may be moved by the effort of the person occupying the platform or by the effort of a person on the floor or other supporting surface,

(b) more than one and one half times the least base dimension of the scaffold, the scaffold must be moved only by the effort of a person on the floor or other supporting surface, and

(c) more than two times the least base dimension of the scaffold, the scaffold must not be moved while the person is occupying the platform.

[Enacted by B.C. Reg. 320/2007, effective February 1, 2008.]

13.25 Warning devices on elevating work platforms

(1) An elevating work platform, except a vehicle -mounted work platform, must have a warning system consisting of an intermittent horn or flashing light that

(a) is automatically activated during any motion of the work platform, and

(b) can be seen or heard by other workers in proximity to the work platform.

(2) If the safe operation of an elevating work platform requires its carrier vehicle to be on a level surface or level within specified degrees, the platform must be fitted, as the carrier requires, with a device to warn the operator that

(a) the carrier is not level, or

(b) the carrier is outside the permitted degrees from level.

[Enacted by B.C. Reg. 422/2004, effective January 1, 2005.]

13.26 Controls on elevating work platforms

The controls for an elevating work platform must

(a) be clearly identified to indicate their functions,

(b) be "hold-to-run" (continuous pressure) type that return to the neutral or the stop position when released,

(d) for each set of controls, be provided with an emergency stop device that is

(i) within easy reach of the operator,

(ii) clearly labelled STOP, and

(iii) coloured red, and

(e) include a clearly marked overriding lowering control that will enable a worker at the lower controls to stop and lower the platform in an emergency.

[Enacted by B.C. Reg. 422/2004, effective January 1, 2005.]

13.27 Cranes and hoists used to suspend work platforms

(1) The weight of a work platform suspended from a crane or hoist or attached to a crane boom and its rigging, plus the rated capacity, must not exceed 50% of the rated capacity of the crane or hoist at the working radius or configuration.

(2) If a work platform attached to a crane boom causes eccentric loading on the boom,

(a) the effect on the rated capacity of the crane must be determined and the rated capacity certified by the crane manufacturer or a professional engineer, and

(b) the rated capacity of the crane must be reduced accordingly.

(3) The boom of a crane used to suspend a work platform must have a powered boom or a fixed boom.

(4) A work platform must not be

(a) suspended from an articulating boom crane, or

(b) attached to an articulating boom crane, unless the crane manufacturer approves the installation.

(5) If workers are on a work platform suspended from a crane, a secondary hoisting line on the crane must not be used.

[Enacted by B.C. Reg. 422/2004, effective January 1, 2005.]

13.28 Two-blocking

(1) A crane or hoist used to raise a work platform on a load line must be equipped with

(a) a device to prevent two-blocking at all points, or

(b) in the case of a lattice boom crane, a two-blocking warning device.

(2) Despite subsection (1), a work procedure acceptable to the Board may be followed to minimize the risk of two-blocking if it is not practicable to maintain a two-blocking prevention or warning device on a conventional lattice boom crane used for pile driving and similar applications.

[Enacted by B.C. Reg. 422/2004, effective January 1, 2005.]

13.29 Hoisting and lowering work platforms

(1) Cranes, winches and other devices used for hoisting and lowering movable work platforms must

(a) be operated as slowly as practicable while supporting the work platform,

(b) be lowered under power, if the device is powered, and

(2) If a moveable work platform is suspended from a crane, winch or other device over a structure that cannot safely support its weight or if other hazards exist below the platform, lower limit travel devices compatible with the hoist system must be used to ensure the platform cannot be lowered beyond the safe lower limit of travel.

(2.1) If the lower limit travel devices required by subsection (2) are not practicable, the employer must ensure that work procedures acceptable to the Board are used that will minimize the risk of the platform going beyond the safe lower limit of travel.

(3) A trial lift for a work platform suspended from or attached to a crane or hoist must be performed at all work locations before the platform is occupied.

[Enacted by B.C. Reg. 422/2004, effective January 1, 2005.]

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 19/2006 effective May 17, 2006.]

13.30 Lift truck (forklift) mounted work platforms

(1) A work platform supported by a lift truck may be used to support people only if other conventional means of access for the task, such as ladders, scaffolds and elevating work platforms, are not practicable.

(2) A work platform supported by a lift truck must be designed and used in accordance with WorkSafeBC Standard 13.30 Work Platforms supported by Lift Trucks.

[Enacted by B.C. Reg. 320/2007, effective February 1, 2008.]

13.31 Powered platforms

If a portable powered platform is raised and lowered by two or more separately controlled hoists operated by one person on the platform, the controls must be located so that they can be used simultaneously by that person.

[Enacted by B.C. Reg. 422/2004, effective January 1, 2005.]

13.32 Work procedures in high risk situations

A swing stage, boatswain's chair and portable powered platform must not be used without prior permission of the Board if

(a) one work platform will be used above or below any portion of another work platform,

(b) a deck or planking will be used to span a gap between two independent work platforms,

(d) the suspension height will exceed 91 m (300 ft).

[Enacted by B.C. Reg. 422/2004, effective January 1, 2005.]

13.33 Fall protection

(1) A person on an elevating work platform must wear a personal fall arrest system secured to a suitable and substantial anchorage point.

(1.1) Despite subsection (1), a person on a scissor lift, or on an elevating work platform with similar characteristics to a scissor lift, that is on a firm level surface with no irregularities to cause platform instability, is exempt from wearing a personal fall arrest system, provided that all manufacturer's guardrails and chains are in place.

(2) If a person is supported on a work platform suspended by fewer than four suspension lines, the person must use a personal fall arrest system secured to an anchor meeting the requirements of Part 11 (Fall Protection) and independent of the work platform and its suspension system.

(3) If a person is supported on a work platform suspended by four or more suspension lines, the person must use a personal fall arrest system secured to an anchor on the platform or to an anchor meeting the requirements of Part 11 (Fall Protection) and independent of the work platform and its suspension system.

(3.1) Despite subsection (3), a person is not required to use a personal fall protection system on an outrigger or suspended mason's scaffold with guardrails on the open sides.

(4) Each person on a work platform suspended from a crane or hoist must use a personal fall arrest system with a shock absorbing lanyard, secured to

(a) an anchor above the load hook, or

(b) an anchor attached to the platform and designated for that purpose by the manufacturer or a professional engineer, provided that the platform has a safety strap that will prevent the platform from falling more than 15 cm (6 in) if the platform becomes dislodged from the hook.

(5) Each person on a work platform attached to a crane boom must use a personal fall arrest system secured to an anchor on the boom or on the platform.

(6) The personal fall arrest system referred to in subsection (5) must be secured on the boom or on the platform to an anchor that is designated by

(a) the manufacturer, or

(b) a professional engineer.

[Enacted by B.C. Reg. 422/2004, effective January 1, 2005.]

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 19/2006 effective May 17, 2006.]

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 243/2006 effective January 1, 2007.]

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 320/2007, effective February 1, 2008.]

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