Preface
This is the second edition of CSA Z797, Code of practice for access scaffold. It supersedes the previous edition published in 2009. The purpose of this Standard is to provide criteria for the safe erection (in this Standard, the term erection includes assembling, altering, and dismantling) and use and inspection of the various types of scaffold.
Significant changes to this edition include:
a) Criteria is based on a new edition of CSA S269.2 (scaffold design and engineering standard).
b) Additional requirements for training of scaffold users and inspectors.
c) Added guidance for assessing base soil conditions.
d) Added precautions around power lines.
e) Modified requirements for guardrails.
f) Modified guidance for moving assembled scaffold systems.
g) Updated provisions for fall protection.
Updated figures throughout document.
Portions of the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) publication M029, Construction Health and Safety Manual, are reprinted with permission from IHSA. All rights reserved. Portions of the Scaffold Industry Association (SIA) publications, A Pocket Handbook Guide on Solid Sawn Wood Scaffold Plank, A Pocket Handbook Guide on Visual Inspection of Metal/Composite Scaffold Platforms, and A Pocket Handbook Guide on Laminated Veneer Lumber Scaffold Plank are reprinted with permission from SIA. All rights reserved.
This Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on Scaffold Code of Practice, under the jurisdiction of the Strategic Steering Committee on Occupational Health and Safety, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee.
This Standard has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group.
Scope
1.1 Purpose
The purpose of this Standard is to provide criteria for the safe erection, use, and inspection of access scaffold (as covered in CSA S269.2 and engineered systems) and for the training of erectors and users of such equipment.
1.2 Subjects addressed
This Standard applies to the erection, use, and inspection of access scaffold that is
a) supported on a surface;
b) hung from multiple points, but is not capable of moving vertically or horizontally; or
c) mounted on wheels.
This Standard addresses key hazards, including fall hazards, structural instability, platform failures, and material handling problems.
Note: In this Standard, the term erection refers to the assembling, altering, or dismantling of a scaffold.
While this Standard applies to scaffold as defined in Clause 3, this Standard is not limited to scaffold used solely for the purpose of construction, maintenance, or repair operations.
1.3 Equipment not covered
This Standard does not apply to the following:
a) falsework and formwork for construction purposes, as covered in CSA S269.1;
b) suspended access equipment, as covered in CSA Z91 and CAN/CSA-Z271;
c) elevating work platforms, as covered in CAN/CSA-B354.6, CAN/CSA-B354.7, and CAN/CSA-B354.8;
d) manual or powered mast-climbing work platforms, such as a pump jack scaffold or equipment covered in CSA B354.9, CSA B354.10, and CSA B354.11;
e) centre-pole scaffolds; and
f) appliances or accessories attached to scaffold.
1.4 Terminology
In this Standard, shall is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; should is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; may is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard; and can is used to express possibility or capability.
Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.
Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.
Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.
1.5 Measurement
The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.