What Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is Required for Scaffolding in Ontario?
Working on scaffolding in Ontario involves significant risks, and the law requires specific measures to protect workers. This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly what Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required for scaffolding work under Ontario's regulations. We'll cover your legal duties, the primary hazards you need to address, and how to select the correct head-to-toe PPE to ensure every worker on your site is protected and compliant.
Understanding Your Legal Duties: Ontario's Scaffolding Safety Regulations
In Ontario, PPE requirements aren't just suggestions; they are legal mandates under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the Construction Projects regulation (O. Reg. 213/91). This framework establishes a chain of responsibility, making safety a shared duty.
Employer Duties
Employers have the ultimate responsibility to provide all necessary PPE, ensure it's in good condition, and provide the training and supervision for its correct use. They must "take every precaution reasonable" to protect workers, a concept known as the General Duty Clause.
Supervisor Duties
Supervisors act as the employer's front-line representative. They must ensure workers comply with regulations and use the required PPE. A key duty is to advise workers of any potential or actual site hazards before work begins.
Worker Duties
Workers have a legal duty to wear and use the PPE their employer requires. They must also report any defective or missing equipment to their supervisor immediately and are prohibited from disabling safety devices.
The Cost of Non-Compliance: Failure to comply can result in fines up to $1.5 million for a corporation and up to $500,000 and/or 12 months imprisonment for an individual. The primary legal defense is "due diligence"—proving you took every reasonable step to prevent the violation through a documented safety program.
Assessing the Core Risks of Scaffolding Work in Ontario
Ontario's PPE regulations are a direct response to the most common and severe dangers on construction sites. A thorough hazard assessment is the first step in selecting the correct protective equipment for any scaffolding job.
Falls From Height
The single greatest danger, responsible for the most severe injuries and fatalities. Falls can happen during erection/dismantling or from slipping on a platform.
Struck by Falling Objects
Dropped tools or materials pose a significant threat to workers on the scaffold and anyone below, making head protection a non-negotiable requirement.
Electrocution
Contact with overhead power lines during erection, movement, or dismantling of metal scaffolds can be fatal. This risk dictates specific PPE choices.
The Hierarchy of Controls: A Foundational Safety Principle
Before reaching for PPE, the law requires you to consider more effective ways to manage hazards. PPE is the last line of defense, used when higher-level controls cannot eliminate the risk entirely.
Weather and Environmental Hazards
Your site-specific hazard assessment must account for weather conditions, which can dramatically increase risks and alter PPE requirements.
- Wind: High winds can turn materials into projectiles and affect the stability of the scaffold itself. Work should cease in dangerously high winds.
- Rain & Ice: Wet or icy platforms create a serious slip hazard. Workers need footwear with excellent grip, and platforms must be kept clear of ice and snow.
- Cold: Extreme cold requires insulated gloves and layered clothing to prevent frostbite and maintain dexterity. This clothing must fit properly so as not to interfere with harnesses or other PPE.
Ontario Construction Injuries by the Numbers
This chart shows the leading causes of Lost-Time Injuries (LTIs) in Ontario's construction sector, based on WSIB data. It highlights why regulations focus so heavily on fall protection and preventing "struck-by" incidents.
The Interactive Head-to-Toe Scaffolding PPE Toolkit
Click on the hotspots on the worker to learn what PPE is required for each area under Ontario's regulations. This section provides a quick, visual way to find the information you need, from the correct hard hat type to the required markings on safety boots.
Select a Hotspot
Click on a question mark on the figure to display detailed information about the required PPE for that area.
Fall Protection Deep Dive: Your Most Critical Safety System
Falls are the most severe scaffold hazard. Ontario law specifies a strict hierarchy of controls. You must use the highest-ranked, most effective method that is practical for the job. Click each tier to understand its requirements.
Tier 1: Guardrail Systems
+Tier 2: Personal Fall Protection Systems
+Mandatory Working at Heights (WAH) Training
Providing the equipment is not enough. Any worker on a construction project who uses a personal fall protection system must have successfully completed a CPO-approved **Working at Heights (WAH) training program**. This training is proven to be effective; a 2023 study by the Institute for Work & Health found a **19% decline in fall-from-height injuries** after the standard was implemented.
Implementing Your 4-Step Scaffolding PPE Program
To protect your workers and demonstrate due diligence, you must implement a robust safety program. This is a continuous cycle of planning, training, and documentation.
Assess Hazards
Conduct and document a site-specific hazard assessment. Consider ground conditions, power lines, traffic, weather, and the specific tasks to be performed to inform PPE selection.
Train & Fit
Ensure all workers have the required training (e.g., WAH). PPE must be properly fitted to each individual to be effective. An ill-fitting harness or hard hat is a hazard itself.
Inspect & Maintain
Workers must inspect their PPE before each use. A competent person must conduct formal, documented inspections of all equipment and the scaffold structure itself daily.
Document Everything
Keep records of hazard assessments, training certificates, and inspection logs on site. If it isn't written down, it didn't happen in the eyes of the law. This is key to proving due diligence.
Emergency Rescue Planning
A fall arrest system saves a worker from hitting the ground, but it does not get them to safety. A worker suspended in a harness is at risk of suspension trauma (orthostatic intolerance), a serious medical condition. Your site safety plan must include a written rescue plan detailing how a suspended worker will be retrieved promptly. This could involve using a lift, a ladder, or specialized rescue equipment. The plan must be practiced, and the necessary equipment must be readily available on site.
Frequently Asked Questions about Scaffolding PPE
Here are answers to some common questions about PPE requirements for scaffolding work in Ontario.
How often do I need to replace my hard hat?
+Most manufacturers recommend replacing the suspension system every 12 months and the hard hat shell every 5 years from the date of first use. However, any hard hat that has sustained an impact, shows signs of cracking, or is discolored from UV exposure must be replaced immediately, regardless of age.
Can I use my own personal fall arrest system (PFAS) on a job site?
+While some workers own their harnesses, the employer is ultimately responsible for ensuring all PPE on their site meets CSA standards and is in good condition. If a worker brings their own equipment, the employer must have a competent person inspect it and verify its compliance and condition before it can be used. The employer must also keep records of these inspections.
Is Working at Heights (WAH) training the only training I need?
+No. WAH training is mandatory for using fall protection, but you also need training specific to the type of scaffold you are using (e.g., system scaffold, tube & clamp). If your work requires a respirator, you need separate training and fit-testing for that as well. Your employer must provide training on all hazards specific to your job tasks.
