To: Member Contractors
Subject: Use of Workboat as
a Suspended Work Platform
Comments:
In 2005 as a result of the regulation review process,
amendments were made to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations as they
pertain to a workboat when used as a suspended work platform. The following
outline the significant changes:
1)
OHS 20.012 - suspended work
platforms such as gilley board, small boats and buckets used to support workers
must meet the requirements of for suspended work platforms in Part 13.
2)
OHS 13.11(3) - If a boat is
used as a work platform in a pile driving operation, a professional engineer
must certify the integrity of the boat for this purpose.
3)
OHS 13.11(4) – A signed copy
of the engineer’s instructions or certification referred to in subsections (1)
to (3) must be available at the workplace during installation, disassembly and
use of the system.
4)
OHS 13.2(b)-In designing and
installing a work platform, appropriate safety factors and minimum rated loads
must be used in the materials and method of installation, in accordance with
WCB Standard WPL 2, Design, Construction and Use of a Crane Supported Work
Platforms, 2004.
5)
OHS 13.27(1) – The weight of
the work platform suspended from a crane or hoist or attached to a crane boom
and its rigging, plus the rated capacity, must not exceed 50% of the rated
capacity of the crane or hoist at the working radius or configuration.
6)
OHS 13.27(5) – If workers
are on a work platform suspended from a crane, a secondary hoist line on the
crane must not be used.
7)
Proposed OHS 20.102(2) –
Despite section 13.27(5), a secondary hoist line on a crane may be used to
suspended workers on a work platform in a marine construction or pile driving
operation if (a) it is not practical to provide another means for positioning
workers to perform work tasks, (b) all of the crane’s hoisting gear that is
being used conforms to section 13.29(1) (copy attached), (c) the total load
attached to or suspended from all load lines of the crane does not exceed 50%
of the rated capacity of the crane for the reach and configuration.
These changes
combined with the 2 special variances, which allows work in a suspended work
platform up to 25 feet over water without fall protection and the industry
anti-2-block system has recognized some work activities unique to the marine
and pile driving industry.
In providing these amendments the Board eliminated old
regulation 13.93(2). This regulation permitted the use of workboat as a suspended
work platform provided the integrity of the boat and the lifting points have
been load rated and certified by a professional engineer and was not raised to
a height greater than 3 meters (10 feet) above the water or ground surface.
Fall protection was not required in this application.
As a result of these new amendments the following safe
work procedures are required under the regulations:
1)
A workboat can be used as a
suspended work platform provided a professional engineer certifies the integrity
of the boat. The minimum standard is defined as utilizing sound engineering
principles when determining that the integrity of the boat will be maintained
when it is hoisted and specify load limits and lifting points for rigging.
Workers in a boat suspended from a crane at any height above ground or water
must be equipped with proper fall protection. The 10-foot rule no longer applies.
2)
Working over water up to 25
feet without fall protection is allowed in a workboat provided the boat meets
the requirements of the WCB Standard WPL 2, Design, Construction and Use of a
Crane Supported Work Platform (i.e. permanent guardrails).
3)
It is advisable to attach a
certification plate to the workboat indicating allowable loads and rigging
requirements. The written certifications should be maintained and easily
accessible if required. Accessible would be defined as filed in the employer’s
head office and made available by fax if required.
All employers
should review these changes and ensure that your work procedures and the
equipment are in compliance with these regulations.