As industries continue to grow, the need for elevated work platforms (EWPs) has become increasingly necessary. EWPs are designed to provide workers with access to elevated areas that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to reach. However, with the increased use of these platforms, safety concerns have become a priority.
ELEVATING WORK PLATFORMS DEFINITION
What are Elevating Work Platforms?
Elevating Work Platforms are hydraulically, electrically or mechanically controlled devices used to elevate workers or materials. In the live performance industry these include: scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts, individual personnel lifts, self-propelled lifts, manual “push-around” lifts, elevating rolling work platforms, self-propelled elevating work platforms, boom-type elevating work platforms, vehicle-mounted aerial devices and aerial work platforms.
(Sources: Working at Heights Guideline; section 143(1) of O. Reg. 213/91, URL: https://www.ontario.ca/document/safety-guidelines-live-performance-industry/elevating-work-platforms)
Which are the main types of EWPs?
The main types of Elevating Work Platforms (EWPs) are:
- Scissor Lifts: These platforms move vertically and are capable of supporting heavy loads.
- Boom Lifts: These platforms have an articulating arm or telescopic boom that extends and moves the platform up and down, as well as side to side.
- Vertical Mast Lifts: These platforms have a mast that extends vertically and can move the platform up and down.
- Personal Portable Lifts: These are small portable lifts that can be used by one or two workers to reach heights of up to 20 feet.
- Vehicle-Mounted Lifts: These are mounted on a truck or van and can be used for high-reach applications.
(Source: Government of Ontario, Elevating work platforms URL: https://www.ontario.ca/document/safety-guidelines-live-performance-industry/elevating-work-platforms)
Each type of EWP has specific safety considerations that must be taken into account when using it, and it is important for operators to be trained and certified for the specific type of EWP they will be operating.
Which are the main hazards?
Despite the safety measures in place, EWPs can pose significant hazards to workers. These hazards include:
- Falls – Falls are the most common hazard associated with the use of EWPs. Workers who use these platforms are at risk of falling from great heights, which can result in severe injuries or fatalities.
- Electrocution – Workers who use EWPs near electrical wires or power lines are at risk of electrocution.
- Tip-Overs – Tip-overs can occur when the EWP is not on level ground or when the load on the platform exceeds the weight limit. This can result in injuries or fatalities.
- Collisions – Collisions can occur when the EWP is not properly secured or when workers do not communicate effectively with each other.
- Weather Conditions – Weather conditions, such as high winds, can pose a hazard to workers who use EWPs. Workers should be trained to recognize and respond to weather-related hazards.
- Mechanical Failure – Mechanical failure can occur if the EWP is not properly maintained or if it is overloaded. This can result in injuries or fatalities.
- Improper Use – Improper use of EWPs can also pose a hazard to workers. Workers should be trained on the proper use of EWPs and should only use them for their intended purposes.
(Source: CSA Group, Mobile elevating work platforms — Safety principles, inspection, maintenance and operation, CSA B354.7:17, 2022)
Which are the main safety practices?
To ensure the safety of workers, several practices must be implemented. These practices include:
- Training – Employers are required to train workers on how to use EWPs safely. This includes training on how to operate the equipment, how to perform pre-use inspections, and how to respond to emergencies.
- Inspection and Maintenance – EWPs must be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure they are in good working condition. Employers should have a maintenance program in place to ensure that EWPs are inspected, maintained, and repaired as needed.
- Personal Protective Equipment – Workers who use EWPs must wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as helmets, safety harnesses, and safety glasses.
- Communication – Communication is critical when working with EWPs. Employers must ensure that workers can communicate effectively with each other and with their supervisors.
ELEVATING WORK PLATFORMS SAFETY LEGISLATION
Elevating Work Platforms Safety is implemented by complementary federal, provincial and territorial legislation and regulations.
What is federal legislation?
The federal legislation for Elevating Work Platforms Safety in Canada is primarily governed by the Canada Labour Code, Part II, which sets out the minimum requirements for occupational health and safety in federally regulated workplaces. Part II of the Canada Labour Code requires employers to ensure the health and safety of their employees and to take all reasonable steps to prevent accidents and injuries (Source: Government of Canada, Canada Labour Code, URL: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/L-2/page-1.html). This includes providing appropriate training, ensuring equipment is properly maintained, and following safe work practices.
In addition to the Canada Labour Code, there are also various federal regulations and guidelines that apply to specific types of elevating work platforms, such as the Canadian Electrical Code and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards. For example, CSA B354.2-01 (R2016) – Self-propelled elevating work platforms and CSA B354.4-02 (R2013) – Self-propelled boom-supported elevating work platforms are standards that apply to specific types of elevating work platforms, while CSA B354.7:17 applies to all mobile elevating platforms (Source: CSA Group, Mobile elevating work platforms — Safety principles, inspection, maintenance and operation, URL: https://www.csagroup.org/store/product/2425460/).
Furthermore, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is a federal agency responsible for promoting health and safety in the workplace and provides resources and guidance related to elevating work platform safety for employers and employees.
What is provincial and territorial legislation?
Provincial and territorial legislation for Elevating Work Platforms Safety in Canada varies across the different jurisdictions. Each province and territory has its own occupational health and safety legislation that outlines the requirements for employers to ensure the safety of workers who operate elevating work platforms.
For example, in Ontario, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) sets out the minimum requirements for workplace health and safety and includes specific provisions related to elevating work platforms. Employers in Ontario must ensure that workers are trained and competent to operate elevating work platforms, that the equipment is properly maintained and inspected, and that safe work practices are followed.
Similarly, in British Columbia, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation outlines the requirements for the safe operation of elevating work platforms. Employers in BC must ensure that workers are trained in the safe operation of elevating work platforms, that equipment is inspected and maintained, and that workers are provided with appropriate fall protection equipment.
Other provinces and territories have similar legislation and regulations, including Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Code, Manitoba’s Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, and Quebec’s Regulation respecting occupational health and safety. These laws and regulations are designed to ensure the safety of workers who operate elevating work platforms and to prevent accidents and injuries in the workplace.
ELEVATING WORK PLATFORMS SAFETY
What is Elevating Work Platforms Safety?
Elevating Work Platforms Safety is a training program designed to equip workers with the knowledge and skills needed to safely operate and work around EWPs. The training covers various topics, such as safety procedures, risk assessments, hazard identification, and emergency procedures.
Who is responsible for Elevating Work Platforms Safety?
The employer shall provide the EWP operator with training and supervision to protect the health and safety of the worker (Source: Government of Canada, Canada Labour Code, URL: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/L-2/page-1.html), (section 25(2)(a) of the OHSA).
Furthermore, according to CSA Standards, the employer shall ensure that the operator has been trained under the direction of a qualified person in accordance with ISO 18878 and this International Standard before operating the MEWP(Source: CSA Group, Mobile elevating work platforms — Safety principles, inspection, maintenance and operation, CSA B354.7:17, 2022). It is also the responsibility of employers to provide ongoing training and ensure that workers understand and follow safety procedures.
Who needs Elevating Work Platforms Safety?
Elevating Work Platforms Safety is required for all workers who operate or work around EWPs. This includes workers in various industries, such as construction, mining, forestry, and manufacturing. Here are some detailed descriptions of industries that require EWP Safety:
- Construction Industry: Workers in the construction industry often use EWPs to access heights during building, maintenance, and repair activities. EWP Safety is crucial for workers to ensure they understand the risks and safety procedures associated with operating and working around EWPs.
- Mining Industry: In the mining industry, EWPs are used to access hard-to-reach areas, such as the tops of large vehicles and machinery. Mining workers need to receive EWP Safety to ensure they can operate and work around EWPs safely.
- Forestry Industry: In the forestry industry, EWPs are used to access trees for maintenance, harvesting, and transport activities. Workers need to receive EWP Safety to ensure they understand the risks and safety procedures associated with working with EWPs in the forestry industry.
- Manufacturing Industry: The manufacturing industry uses EWPs for various activities, such as maintenance, repair, and installation of equipment. Workers need to receive EWP Safety to ensure they can operate and work around EWPs safely.
Can you do Elevating Work Platforms Safety online?
While online training can provide valuable theoretical knowledge and understanding of Elevating Work Platforms safety, it is important to recognize its limitations, particularly when it comes to hands-on practical training. To be fully certified, individuals need to complete both theoretical training and evaluation, as well as workplace-specific hands-on practice (blended training).
To address this limitation, a blended training approach is recommended. Blended training combines online theoretical modules with on-site practical training. The online component can cover the theoretical aspects of Elevating Work Platforms safety, including regulations, hazard identification, and proper procedures. The on-site portion would then focus on hands-on practice, allowing participants to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.
Blended training may be recommended for those who have access to the required equipment or have a competent person to oversee the completion of the workplace-specific checklist.
Any company or organization claiming to provide full certification solely through online training without the hands-on component is likely operating a scam.
In-classroom training, on the other hand, may also include hands-on practice but can present challenges. The equipment used in the training may not always match the specific equipment used in the workplace, which can create inconveniences and limit the applicability of the training. Additionally, in-classroom training can be more expensive and may not necessarily provide a more practical learning experience compared to blended training.
Where can you purchase Elevating Work Platforms Safety online training?
In today’s fast-paced society, online courses have become the cheapest and most convenient solution to get your Safety done. There are many methods and providers of Elevating Work Platforms Safety. With any training, it is essential to select a high-quality education provider and one that will provide the most value (best information retention in employees) for the time and money.
Ensuring your program materials are always up to date is also extremely important as the amount of health and safety regulations and enforcement is steadily increasing and constantly updating.
How we compare
Designed for Workers. Built for Business
ELEVATING WORK PLATFORMS SAFETY CERTIFICATE
What do you need to learn?
To obtain an EWPS certificate, individuals must complete a training program that covers various aspects of safety, including but not limited to:
How long is the certificate valid?
Elevating Work Platforms Safetylegislationexpiration dates and renewal requirements in most provinces is 3 years. Periodic training refreshers are recommended to ensure operator competence (Source: Government of Ontario, Elevating work platforms, URL: https://www.ontario.ca/document/safety-guidelines-live-performance-industry/elevating-work-platforms).
According to CSA-B354.8, The operator shall be retrained as necessary, based on the observation of the user (see Clause 4.2), to keep the level of proficiency at an acceptable level. Examples of situations when retraining may be necessary include, but are not limited to:
- deterioration of proficiency;
- following an accident or near-miss while operating or using a MEWP;
- if a condition in the workplace changes in a manner that could affect the safe operation of the MEWP
- new MEWP technologies and working method
(Source: CSA Group, Mobile elevating work platforms — Safety principles, inspection, maintenance and operation, CSA B354.7:17, 2022)
How will I receive my training certificate with eSafetyFirst?
The certificate will be automatically available for printing once you complete the course and pass the quiz with a score of 80% or higher.
All our courses will come with a PDF certificate at the end of the program.
This PDF file will have two pages: a standard certificate and a wallet-size training record.
The employer should store certificates, while the employee should carry their wallet cards at all times during work.
Students who prefer to receive wallet cards in a physical format can request and purchase a physical wallet card from eSafetyFirst. This optional item is not included in the course price and will cost an additional $10 for printing and shipping.
If you do not have the time to make your laminated wallet card, you may find it rather convenient to order this card directly from us.
How can I find my certificate if I lost it?
In most cases, this question is addressed to us by individuals who took their training with a different company. As a private company, we can only store and access our customers’ data. Therefore, if you did your training with another company, you need to contact them to receive a copy of your certificate.
If you are a customer of eSafetyFirst.com, then all you have to do is to Login to your account, and you can, at any time, download a copy of the certificate you received from us.
CONCLUSION
Elevating Work Platforms Safety is an essential aspect of workplace safety in Canada. It is a critical component of preventing accidents and injuries related to the use of elevated work platforms and ensuring the safety of workers in various industries. Employers must ensure that their workers receive the appropriate training and that they follow all safety guidelines to avoid accidents and injuries. By prioritizing Elevating Work Platforms Safety, employers and workers can create a safe work environment and prevent accidents and injuries.