S-2.1, r. 4 - Safety Code for the construction industry

Section 2.15.12 Disposition versions

2024-10-03

2.15.12. Personnel hoisting apparatus:

(1)  A personnel hoisting apparatus must be equipped with “deadman” type control levers, an emergency stop button within reach of the workers being transported and a device that prevents the cabin from falling in case of a defect in the electric or hydraulic supply.

(2)  A personnel hoisting apparatus must be driven and operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

(3)  A personnel hoisting apparatus must be used solely to move persons, tools and the materials necessary to carry out their work, without exceeding its rated load and in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.

(4)  The work platform of the personnel hoisting apparatus must be enclosed by a guardrail.

(5)  It is prohibited for workers situated on the work platform of a personnel hoisting apparatus to use a guardrail, planking, ladder or any other object on or inside the platform to extend their reach or the height to which they are able to reach.

(6)  When using an apparatus with multidirectional elevation whose work platform can be horizontally extended from the carrier chassis, a worker must wear a safety harness secured by means of a fall arrest connecting device to an anchorage system provided for by the hoisting apparatus’s manufacturer or, failing that, to an anchor, in accordance with subsection 1 of the first paragraph of section 2.10.15.

(7)  The operator of a personnel hoisting apparatus that is moving must

(a)  limit the travelling speed based on conditions such as the type of ground, visibility, the grade of the terrain, the presence of people and any other factor that could result in collision, injury or overturning;

(b)  remain at a safe distance from obstacles, downhill grades, drop off or holes, ramps or any other danger;

(c)  make sure to have a good view of the ground and the path to be travelled;

(d)  make sure that every person in the concerned work area is informed of the movement of the equipment and there is no one in its path; and

(e)  visually inspect the forward range of movement of the platform.

During the visual inspection carried out in accordance with subparagraph e of paragraph 7, if the operator notes that nearby overhead structures or obstacles present a risk to persons situated on the platform of being wedged in or crushed, the operator must take the necessary measures to eliminate that risk. Where it is impossible for persons to remain standing on the platform, for example because the equipment is moving under a doorway, the operator must operate the equipment from the ground.

(8)  A register of inspections and repairs must be kept by the owner of the personnel hoisting apparatus.

(9)  The manufacturer’s operating manual for the personnel hoisting apparatus must be stored in the apparatus in the weather-proof compartment.

(10)  It is prohibited to use a personnel hoisting apparatus, other than a job-site elevator or a mast-climbing work platform, to transfer persons from one level to another in order to access a work site situated outside of that work site, except where the following conditions are met:

(a)  after analyzing the risks related to access to the work site, a competent person has determined that access to the work site is impossible by means of a ladder, a stairway, scaffolding, an elevator or a mast-climbing work platform;

(b)  an engineer has confirmed in writing that a personnel hoisting apparatus can be used safely for that purpose; and

(c)  the hoisting apparatus is used in accordance with a work procedure signed by an engineer that takes into account the manufacturer’s recommendations as well as CSA B354.7, Mobile Elevating Work Platforms - Safety Principles, Inspection, Maintenance and Operation. The procedure must be specific to the work site.

Despite the foregoing, a personnel hoisting apparatus may be used to rescue persons as part of a rescue plan.

(11)  In the absence of any manufacturer’s specifications, a personnel hoisting apparatus must not be used where wind speed exceeds 45 km/h.

(12)  A personnel hoisting apparatus must be equipped with an audible warning device that is activated whenever the apparatus is engaged in motorized movement on the ground.

O.C. 1393-2024, s. 7.