Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304)

• 14.26 (1) Every employer who wishes to use signals to direct the movement of motorized materials handling equipment shall establish a single code of signals to be used by signallers in all of the employer’s work places.

• (2) Subject to subsection (3), signals from the code referred to in subsection (1) shall be given by a signaller, who may use only those signals.

• (3) A signal to stop given in an emergency by any person granted access to the work place by the employer shall be obeyed by an operator.

• (4) No signaller shall perform duties other than signalling while the motorized materials handling equipment under the signaller’s direction is in operation.

• (5) Where any movement of motorized materials handling equipment that is directed by a signaller poses a risk to the safety of any person, the signaller shall not give the signal to move until that person is warned of, or protected from, the risk.

• (6) Where the operator of any motorized materials handling equipment does not understand a signal, the operator shall consider that signal to be a stop signal.

• 14.27 (1) Subject to subsection (2), where the use by a signaller of visual signals will not be an effective means of communication, the employer shall provide the signaller and the operator with a telephone, radio or other audible signalling device.

• (2) No radio transmitting equipment shall be used in a work place for the transmission of signals where such use may activate electric blasting equipment in that place.

• (3) Where a signalling device referred to in subsection (1) functions unreliably or improperly and the operation of any motorized materials handling equipment cannot be safely directed by another means of signalling, use of the motorized materials handling equipment shall be discontinued until the signalling device is repaired or replaced.

• (4) Where an employee finds a defect in radio transmitting signalling equipment that may render it unsafe for use, the employee shall report the defect to the employer as soon as possible.

14.28 No employee shall operate and no employer shall permit an employee to operate motorized materials handling equipment on a ramp with a gradient in excess of the lesser of

• (a) the gradient that is recommended as safe by the manufacturer of the motorized materials handling equipment, either loaded or unloaded, as applicable; and

• (b) such gradient as a qualified person determines to be safe, having regard to the mechanical condition of the motorized materials handling equipment and its load and traction.

• 14.29 (1) Motorized or manual materials handling equipment that creates a health or safety hazard owing to a defect in the materials handling equipment shall be taken out of service until it has been repaired or modified by a qualified person.

• (2) Subject to subsection (3), any repair, modification or replacement of a part of any motorized or manual materials handling equipment shall at least maintain the safety factor of the materials handling equipment or part.

• (3) If a part of less strength or quality than the original part is used in the repair, modification or replacement of a part of any motorized or manual materials handling equipment, the employer shall restrict the use of the materials handling equipment to such loading and use as will ensure the retention of the original safety factor of the equipment or part.

• (4) An employer shall keep a record of any repair or modification referred to in subsection (1) and of any restriction on use imposed pursuant to subsection (3).