Scaffolds

Manitoba’s Workplace Safety and Health Regulation (WSH Regulation) defines a scaffold as a temporary work platform, including its supporting structure and all other components for supporting workers, materials and equipment. Various scaffolds are available, and their provisions for use are described in Part 28 (Scaffolds and Other Elevated Work Platforms) of the WSH Regulation.

Employer responsibilities:

• Provide workers with a scaffold or elevated work platform for work that cannot be done from the ground or other safe elevation using a ladder.
• Ensure that scaffolding material and equipment appropriate to the task are provided at project sites.
• Develop, train and ensure workers follow safe work procedures for scaffold-related work. The safe work procedures must include emergency response plans in case the scaffold fails.
• Ensure that a commercially manufactured scaffold is installed, used, maintained and dismantled according to the manufacturer’s specifications. However, the employer may alter those specifications if a professional engineer certifies the alteration.
• Appoint one or more competent persons to supervise the erection, installation, dismantling and removal of the scaffold system. Competent persons installing, altering or dismantling a scaffold must use a fall protection system that meets the requirements of Part 14 (Fall Protection) of the WSH Regulation.
• Ensure scaffolds do not bear loads greater than what they are rated for and that workers are informed of the rated load.
• Ensure workers do not carry any materials or equipment while climbing a scaffold.
• Provide adequate overhead protection for workers under the part of a scaffold that is being installed, altered or dismantled. Or in situations where there is a risk of material falling on a worker on the scaffold platform or in the area of the scaffold.

Worker responsibilities:

• Workers must follow the safe work procedures developed for the workplace and use all necessary equipment and personal protective devices when erecting, installing, using and dismantling scaffold systems.