Oil and Gas Occupational Safety and Health Regulations

4.12 (1) Commercially manufactured portable ladders shall meet the standards set out in CSA Standard CAN3-Z11-M81, Portable Ladders, the English version of which is dated September 1981, as amended to March 1983, and the French version of which is dated August 1982, as amended to June 1983.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), every fixed and portable ladder shall, while being used,

• (a) be placed on a firm footing; and

• (b) be secured in such a manner that it cannot be dislodged accidentally from its position.

(3) Every fixed or portable ladder shall be positioned in such a manner that it is not necessary for a person to use the underside of the ladder.

(4) Where a fixed or portable ladder provides access from one level to another

• (a) the ladder shall extend, where practicable, at least three rungs above the higher level; or

• (b) where it is not practicable to comply with paragraph (a), handholds shall be provided.

(5) No metal or wire-bound fixed or portable ladder shall be used where there is a hazard that it may come into contact with any live electrical circuit or equipment.

(6) No employee shall work from any of the three top rungs of any single or extension portable ladder or from either of the two top steps of any step ladder.

(7) No non-metallic fixed or portable ladder shall be coated with a material that may hide flaws.