Ladder Safety -Sécurité des échelles
This material has been extracted from the Acts and Regulations of the Province to help students understand the subject. It is not an official source of information and must not be used for any other purpose.
© Gouvernement du Québec, 2009
c. S-2.1, r.19.01
Regulation Respecting Occupational Health and Safety
An Act respecting occupational health and safety
R.S.Q., c. S-2.1, s. 223. 1st par. subpar. (1), (3), (4), (7) to (16), (18) to (21.1),
(41) and (42), 2nd par. and 3rd par
DIVISION III ESTABLISHMENT CONDITIONS
21. Work station access: Machines, machine rooms or service platforms for these machines, which constitute a work station, shall, if they are situated above or below a floor and if they are not serviced by a stairway, be accessible by a service stairway, an access ramp or a fixed ladder.
However, access to such a place by means of a fixed ladder is prohibited when a worker cannot use both hands for holding onto the side rails or rungs of the permanent ladder.
This section does not apply to a vehicle.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 21.
23. Permanent ladders: Permanent ladders used to replace service stairs shall :
(1) be of safe construction and solidly anchored to withstand a mass of 90 kilograms at the centre of the rungs with a safety factor of 4 ;
(2) for ladders exceeding 9 metres, have rest platforms equipped with guardrails, at least at 6-metre intervals ;
(3) have a space behind the rungs of at least 150 millimetres ;
(4) have a free space on each side of at least 375 millimetres and forward of at least 800 millimetres, measured from the centre of a rung ;
(5) extend 900 millimetres beyond the top storey ;
(6) be provided with guardrails surrounding the floor opening with a removable gate for access to the ladder ;
(7) be provided with crinolines or cages or a fall arrestor in compliance with the standard Fall arresters, vertical lifelines and rails CAN/CSA Z259.2.1-98, where there is danger of a fall greater than 6 metres.
Subparagraphs (3) and (4) of the first paragraph only applies to permanent ladders built, installed or modified starting from 2 August 2001.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 23.
24. Exception: Notwithstanding subparagraph (2) of section 23, the permanent ladders servicing elevated towers, water reservoirs or other elevated constructions to which workers only occasionally have access, may be exempt from rest platforms.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 24.
25. Compliance with the standard: Any portable ladder and any stepladder used on a work site shall comply with the CAN3-Z11-M81 Portable Ladders standard.
However, portable ladders and stepladders in use on 2 August 2001 may also be used if they are in good condition and if they comply with the ACNOR Z11-1969 Portable Ladders standard.
This section does not apply to three-rail orchard ladders.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 25.
26. Operating conditions: Portable ladders shall :
(1) rest on a firm base with the upper part propped on the 2 siderails ;
(2) be firmly held in place by one or more persons, if they are not firmly attached and if their length is equal to or more than 9 metres ;
(3) be protected against any sliding and against any shock that could compromise equilibrium ;
(4) if not firmly fixed, be so inclined that the horizontal distance between the base of the ladder and the vertical plane of its top support is approximately between the quarter and the third of the length of the ladder between its supports ;
(5) where used as a means of access :
(a) be firmly fixed in place ;
(b) extend 900 millimetres beyond the top storey ;
(c) have a space behind the rungs of at least 150 millimetres ;
(6) be set in such a manner that there is sufficient space at the base allowing safe access ;
(7) never be used as a horizontal prop ;
(8) never be linked to another ladder, end to end, by lapped joints ;
(9) when used close to electrical conductors, be made of wood or other insulating material ;
(10) have a sufficient length so the worker does not work from the 2 top rungs ;
(11) not be put on scaffolding, an elevated platform, an aerial basket or platform, on crates, barrels or in front of a door opening onto the ladder.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 26.
27. Maximum length: The length of a portable extension ladder with 2 or more extensions, measured along the siderails, cannot exceed 15 metres.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 27.
28. A stepladder: Any stepladder used on a work site shall :
(1) when used close to electrical conductors, be made of wood or other insulating material ;
(2) have the legs fully spread and the retaining device locked.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 28.
29. Prohibited usage: The top and the pail shelf of a stepladder shall never be used as a step.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 29.
30. Safety precaution: The worker shall always be turned facing the ladder or stepladder while climbing or descending.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 30.
31. Gangways and stationary platforms: Gangways and stationary platforms shall :
(1) not be subject to loads greater than the ones specified by the manufacturer or by an engineer ;
(2) be provided with guardrails complying with sections 12 and 13 on the sides exposed to falls, if their height from the ground or floor is higher than 450 millimetres, except for unloading piers and loading platforms ;
(3) if made of perforated materials and located more than 1,8 metres from the floor or the ground, not include openings through which a sphere 30 millimetres in diameter can pass ;
(4) have a minimum width of 600 millimetres for gangways or platforms built or modified starting on 2 August 2001 ;
(5) have a free space of at least 2 metres above and below, unless a danger sign is posted.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 31.
32. Installation of scaffolds: Scaffolds or devices designed and built for lifting persons shall be used in places where workers, from the ground or a solid structure, are unable to perform their work.
However, the use of a ladder or stepladder is permitted for work of short duration.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 32.
DIVISION XX SPECIAL ERGONOMIC MEASURES
167. Working on piles : A worker shall have the necessary equipment allowing him to reach the top of piles of material safely, such as step ladders, ladders, pinch grips or any other equipment designed for such purpose.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 167.
DIVISION XXIII HANDLING AND TRANSPORTING MATERIAL
247. Safe access : When a hoisting device has an operator's station for moving the device about or a control station for hoisting, the latter shall be safely accessible by means of a ladder, steps, grip handles or any other means.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 247.
273. Safe access : The control or operating station of a self-propelled vehicle shall be easily and safely accessible by means of a step, grip handles or a ladder.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 273.
DIVISION XXVIII OTHER HIGH RISK TASKS
324. Work presenting a falling hazard : Maintenance, repair or de-jamming work that presents a falling hazard shall be performed with the assistance of scaffolds, work platforms, bridges, portable ladders, safety harnesses or other appropriate equipment.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 324.
Return to the Ladder Safety Training Provincial Regulations page.
