Ontario, and Canada for that matter, have relatively strict codes and regulations when it comes to safety. Fall protection is no exception. There are a myriad of codes and standards that
address fall protection for construction workers, window cleaners and restoration workers.
address fall protection for construction workers, window cleaners and restoration workers.
The problem is that construction workers, window cleaners and restoration workers, aren't the only ones who should be covered by the codes and standards for fall protection. What about other kinds of workers performing non-routine roof top maintenance, dangerously close to a roof edge? To name a few:
- school janitor
- hvac repair person
- satellite installer
- green roof maintenance worker
The Ontario Building Code 2006 (4.4.4.1 - Anchor Systems On Building Exterior) addresses buildings that have roof heights exceeding eight meters from ground level and only relates to window washing or exterior maintenance practices.
Canadian Standards Association Z-91, or Z-271, only address window cleaners and suspended maintenance workers at heights with respect to fall protection. Z-91 4.9 Fall Protection for example, states that workers who come within two meters of a roof edge that has a low parapet and potential to fall three meters or more must utilize some form of fall protection.
If window cleaners and suspended maintenance workers have to tie off to something when they can fall ten feet or more, why doesn't a school janitor who is cleaning a scupper, or getting a ball off the roof have to do the same?
The window cleaners go through rigorous safety training and spend the majority of their jobs (and indeed a good portion of their lives) working at heights. The school janitor has minimal fall protection training, and spends a relatively small amount of time working at heights.
The window cleaners go through rigorous safety training and spend the majority of their jobs (and indeed a good portion of their lives) working at heights. The school janitor has minimal fall protection training, and spends a relatively small amount of time working at heights.
Shouldn't they be just as regulated as window cleaners?
No comments:
Post a Comment