3.1 This Part applies to portable ladders, temporary ramps and stairs, temporary elevated work bases used by employees and temporary elevated platforms used for materials.

3.2 No employee shall use a temporary structure where it is reasonably practicable to use a permanent structure.

3.3 No employee shall work on a temporary structure in rain, snow, hail or an electrical or wind storm that is likely to be hazardous to the health or safety of the employee, except if the work is required to remove a hazard or to rescue an employee.

3.4 Tools, equipment and materials used on a temporary structure shall be arranged or secured in such a manner that they cannot be knocked off the structure accidentally.

3.5 No employee shall use a temporary structure unless

• (a) he has authority from his employer to use it; and

• (b) he has been trained and instructed in its safe and proper use.

• 3.6 (1) Prior to a work shift, a qualified person shall make a visual safety inspection of every temporary structure to be used during that shift.

• (2) Where an inspection made in accordance with subsection (1) reveals a defect or condition that adversely affects the structural integrity of a temporary structure, no employee shall use the temporary structure until the defect or condition is remedied.

3.7 Where a person or a vehicle may come into contact with a temporary structure, a person shall be positioned at the base of the temporary structure or a highly visible barricade shall be installed around it to prevent any such contact.

• 3.8 (1) Guardrails and toe boards shall be installed at every open edge of a platform of a temporary structure.

• (2) The guardrails and toe boards referred to in subsection (1) shall meet the standards set out in sections 2.12 and 2.13.

• 3.9 (1) Subject to subsection 3.10(3), temporary stairs, ramps and platforms shall be designed, constructed and maintained to support any load that is likely to be imposed on them and to allow safe passage of persons and equipment on them.

• (2) Temporary stairs shall have

  • (a) uniform steps in the same flight;

  • (b) a slope not exceeding 1.2 in 1; and

  • (c) a hand-rail that is not less than 900 mm and not more than 1 100 mm above the stair level on open sides including landings.

• (3) Temporary ramps and platforms shall be

  • (a) securely fastened in place;

  • (b) braced if necessary to ensure their stability; and

  • (c) provided with cleats or surfaced in a manner that provides a safe footing for employees.

• (4) A temporary ramp shall be so constructed that its slope does not exceed

  • (a) where the temporary ramp is installed in the stairwell of a building not exceeding two storeys in height, 1 in 1, if cross cleats are provided at regular intervals not exceeding 300 mm; and

  • (b) in any other case, 1 in 3.