Canada – Nova Scotia Offshore Marine Installations and Structures Occupational Health and Safety Transitional Regulations  (SOR/2015-2)

• 16 (1) If a floor in a workplace is normally wet and employees in the workplace do not use non-slip footwear, the floor must be covered with a dry false floor or platform or treated with a non-slip material or substance.

• (2) The floor in a workplace must, to the extent reasonably practicable, be kept free from oil, grease or any other slippery substance.

Temporary Heat

• 17 (1) Subject to subsection (2), when a salamander or other portable open-flame heating device is used in an enclosed workplace, the heating device must not restrict a means of exit and must be

  • (a) so located, protected and used that there is no hazard of igniting combustible materials adjacent to the heating device;

  • (b) used only when there is ventilation provided that protects the health and safety of employees; and

  • (c) so located as to be protected from damage or overturning.

• (2) If the heating device does not provide complete combustion of the fuel used in connection with it, the heating device must be equipped with a securely supported sheet metal pipe that discharges the products of combustion outside the enclosed workplace.

• (3) A portable fire extinguisher that has not less than a 10B rating as defined in the ULC Standard CAN/ULC S508, Rating and Fire Testing of Fire Extinguishers, must be readily accessible from the location of the heating device when the device is in use.

PART 3Temporary Structures and Excavations

Interpretation

18 In this Part, stage means a working platform supported from above. (plate-forme suspendue)

Application

19 This Part applies to fixed and portable ladders, to stages and scaffolds and to temporary ramps and stairs.

General

20 An employee must not work on a temporary structure in environmental conditions that are likely to be hazardous to the health or safety of the employee, except when the work is required to remove a hazard or to rescue an employee.

21 Tools, equipment and materials used on a temporary structure must be arranged or secured in such a manner that they cannot be knocked off the structure accidentally.

22 An employee must not use a temporary structure unless

• (a) the employee has authority from the employer to use it; and

• (b) the employee has been trained and instructed in its safe and proper use.

• 23 (1) Before a temporary structure is used by an employee, a qualified person must make a visual safety inspection of it.

• (2) If the inspection reveals a defect or condition that adversely affects the structural integrity of a temporary structure, an employee must not use the temporary structure until the defect or condition is remedied.

Barricades

24 If a vehicle or a pedestrian may come into contact with a temporary structure, a person must be positioned at the base of the temporary structure or a barricade must be installed around it to prevent any such contact.

Guardrails and Toe Boards

• 25 (1) Subject to section 13, at every open edge of a platform of a temporary structure guardrails must be installed and, subject to subsection 14(2), if there is a likelihood that persons beneath the platform may be injured by objects falling from the platform, toe boards must be installed.

• (2) The guardrails and toe boards must meet the standards set out in section 12 and subsection 14(1).

Temporary Stairs, Ramps and Platforms

• 26 (1) Subject to subsection 27(3), temporary stairs, ramps and platforms must be designed, constructed and maintained to support any load that is likely to be imposed on them and to allow safe passage of persons and equipment on them.

• (2) Temporary stairs must have

  • (a) uniform steps in the same flight;

  • (b) a slope of not more than 1.2 to 1; and

  • (c) a hand rail that is not less than 900 mm and not more than 1 100 mm above the stair level on open sides including landings.

• (3) Temporary ramps and platforms must be

  • (a) securely fastened in place;

  • (b) braced if necessary to ensure their stability; and

  • (c) provided with cleats or surfaced in a manner that provides a safe footing for employees.

Scaffolds

• 27 (1) The erection, use, dismantling or removal of a scaffold must be carried out by or under the supervision of a qualified person.

• (2) If a scaffold is erected on an uneven surface, it must be provided with base plates that maintain its stability.

• (3) Every scaffold must be capable of supporting at least four times the load that is likely to be imposed on it.

• (4) Every scaffold must

  • (a) have a platform that is at least 500 mm wide and securely fastened in place;

  • (b) have a working surface that is even and horizontal; and

  • (c) be fitted with guardrails except on the side where the work to be performed would be hindered by the guardrail.

• (5) The footings and supports of every scaffold must be capable of supporting, without dangerous settling, all loads that are likely to be imposed on them.

Stages

• 28 (1) The erection, use, dismantling or removal of a stage must be carried out by or under the supervision of a qualified person.

• (2) Every stage must

  • (a) have a working surface that is even and horizontal and is capable of supporting any load that is likely to be imposed on it;

  • (b) be fitted with an effective means of holding the stage away from the working area; and

  • (c) subject to section 13, when the stage is to be used at a height of more than 3 m, be fitted with guardrails.

• (3) The supporting structure and the ropes or tackle supporting a stage must have a safety factor of not less than six.

Ladders

• 29 (1) Commercially manufactured portable ladders must meet the standards set out in CSA Standard Z11, Portable Ladders.

• (2) Subject to subsection (3), every fixed and portable ladder must, while being used,

  • (a) be placed on a firm footing;

  • (b) be secured in such a manner that it cannot be dislodged accidentally from its position; and.

  • (c) be positioned in such a manner that it is not necessary for a person to use the underside of the ladder.

• (3) When a fixed or portable ladder provides access from one level to another the ladder must extend, if reasonably practicable, at least three rungs above the higher level or, if it is not reasonably practicable, handholds must be provided.

• (4) A metal or wire-bound fixed or portable ladder must not be used if there is a hazard that it may come into contact with any live electrical circuit or equipment.

• (5) An employee must not work from any of the three top rungs of any single or extension portable ladder or from either of the two top steps of any stepladder.

• (6) A non-metallic fixed or portable ladder must not be coated with a material that may hide flaws.

Excavation

• 30 (1) Before the commencement of work on an excavation, tunnel or the creation of an opening in a bulkhead, deck or similar structure, the employer must mark the location of all pipes, cables and conduits in the area where the work is to be done.

• (2) If an excavation, trench or opening constitutes a hazard to employees, a barricade must be installed around it.

• (3) If an employee is required to enter an excavation that is more than 1.4 m deep and the sides of which are sloped at an angle of 45° or more to the horizontal, or a tunnel,

  • (a) the walls of the excavation, trench or tunnel, and

  • (b) the roof of the tunnel

  must be supported by shoring and bracing that is installed as the excavation or tunnel is being excavated.

• (4) Tools, machinery, timber, excavated materials or other objects must not be placed within 1 m from the edge of an excavation or opening.