Industrial Racking

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Proper maintenance and use of storage structures are integral to maintaining safety in the workplace. Stored materials could become harmful when piles and stacks become unstable or if objects protrude into spaces regularly used by workers such as walkways. Employers, suppliers, architects, and engineers all have duties to make sure that industrial racking is assembled and maintained in a way that protects the health and safety of everyone at work.

General duties

Employers must:

  • Make sure that all industrial racks being used at the workplace are properly maintained and equipped with safety features or devices recommended by the manufacturer or required by law. [OHS Act, S. 12(1)(b)]
  • Make sure that all temporary storage structures are not loaded with more weight than what they are designed and constructed to withstand safely. [OHS General Regs, S. 43.1]
  • Make sure that both permanent or temporary structures carrying or storing building materials or equipment are not loaded with more weight than they can safely withstand. [OHS General Regs, S. 43.2]
  • Provide protective clothing and equipment to workers handling: [OHS General Regs, S. 43.8(f)]
    • Objects with sharp edges, fins, slivers, splinters, or similar dangerous projecting parts.
    • Hot, caustic, or corrosive material.
  • Make sure that all materials used on a construction project are stored in an orderly manner to protect worker safety. [OHS General Regs, S. 43.7]
  • Make sure that building materials are not stored, stacked, or piled within 1,800 mm (72 in.) of: [OHS General Regs, S. 43.3]
    • A floor or roof opening.
    • The open edge of a floor or roof.
    • An excavation.

Suppliers must:

  • Make sure that, if an agreement requires the supplier to maintain industrial racks, the racks are kept in safe working condition following legal requirements in the OHS Act and regulations. [OHS Act, S. 15(b)]

Architects and engineers must:

  • When certifying an industrial rack, perform their duties in ways that protect the occupational health and safety of everyone in and near the workplace following legal requirements in the OHS Act and regulations. [OHS Act, S. 20]

Piled materials

Employers must:

  • Make sure that piled materials do not interfere with: [OHS General Regs, S. 43.4(1)]
    • The adequate distribution of natural or artificial light.
    • The proper operation of machines or other equipment.
    • The unobstructed use of passageways or traffic lanes.
  • Make sure piles are cross-tied effectively by using suitable materials. [OHS General Regs, S. 43.8(h)]
  • Make sure loaded boxes and crates are piled on the sides with the largest surface area, unless specific instructions state otherwise. [OHS General Regs, S. 43.8(g)]
  • Make sure loaded cartons are piled in a way that does not cause lower cartons to collapse and protects the piles from moisture. [OHS General Regs, S. 43.8(i)]
  • When storing lumber in yards: [OHS General Regs, S. 43.8(j)]
    • Lumber must be piled on supports above the ground.
    • Store lumber in horizontal or slightly inclined layers separated by tie pieces.
    • Make sure the ends of each layer do not stick out into walkways.
  • Make sure cylindrical objects are piled on their sides in symmetrical and stable piles, and wedge every unit in the bottom row (e.g., empty barrels or drums, large pipe, and rolls of paper). [OHS General Regs, S. 43.8(l)]
  • Make sure loaded barrels, drums, or keys are piled on their ends in low piles with two side-by-side planks laid between each row. [OHS General Regs, S. 43.8(n)]
  • Make sure equipment like foundry flasks, forging dies, and foundry casting are piled in a stable, orderly way on level and substantial foundation, and arranged in order of size and type. [OHS General Regs, S. 43.8(o)]

Everyone must:

Stacking masonry units

Employers must make sure that masonry units are stacked in the following way: [OHS General Regs, S. 43.5]

  • Stack on a level base such as a wooden plant or platform.
  • Stack in tiers throughout a pile.
  • Use header units in the stacked pile to provide stability if necessary.
  • The pile must not be taller than 1,800 mm (72 in.) unless both of the following techniques are used:
    • The pile is progressively stepped back.
    • Wood strips are used between tiers to prevent toppling.

Stacking bar and pipe

Employers must:

  • Make sure pipe and bar stock are piled on stable storage racks, where practicable, to prevent hazards when materials are removed from the pile. [OHS General Regs, S. 43.8(k)]
  • If storage racks are not available, make sure pipe and bar stock are piled in layers resting on wood strips with stock blocks fixed on the ends or on metal bars with unturned end. [OHS General Regs, S. 43.8(m)]

Everyone must:

  • Use substantially supported and broad racks or frames for stacking reinforcing steel and pipe, or use other methods to prevent them from moving side to side. [OHS General Regs, S. 43.6]

Handling and lifting materials

Employers must:

  • Provide mechanical aids for use to lighten and carry materials and loads, where practicable. [OHS General Regs., S. 43.8(a)] See the Manual Lifting document for more information.
  • Make sure that necessary chocks, wedges, ropes, or other tackle are used to control the motion of heavy objects being handled on inclines, and do not allow workers to stand between skids on the downhill side. [OHS General Regs, S. 43.8(d)]
  • Make sure that workers use bars or sledges instead of hands or feet to change the direction of rollers being used to move heavy objects while the rollers are in motion. [OHS General Regs, S. 43.8(e)]
“project” means a construction project, and includes (i) the construction, erection, excavation, renovation, repair, alteration or demolition of a structure, building or tunnel and the preparatory work of land clearing or earth moving, and (ii) work of any nature or kind designated by the Director as a project; [OHS Act, S. 1]

General Regulations
EC180/87

Part 43 HANDLING & STORAGE OF MATERIALS

Section 43.1 Temporary storage structure

43.1 The employer shall ensure that a temporary storage structure shall

(a) be designed and constructed to withstand safely the loads imposed by the material to be stored; and

(b) not be loaded in excess of safe loading.

Section 43.2 Loading limits

43.2 The employer shall ensure that building materials or equipment shall not be placed or stored on a permanent or temporary structure so as to exceed the safe loadings of the structure or any part thereof.

Section 43.3 Storage prohibitions

43.3 The employer shall ensure that no building material shall be stored, stacked or piled within 1 800 mm (72 in.) of

(a) a floor or roof opening;

(b) the open edge of a floor or roof; or

(c) an excavation.

Section 43.4 Piling of materials

43.4 (1) The employer shall ensure that material shall be so piled that the piles will not interfere with

(a) the adequate distribution of natural or artificial light;

(b) the proper operation of machines or other equipment;

(c) the unobstructed use of passageways or traffic lanes.

(2) Material piles shall be placed on firm foundations not liable to settle and shall be subject to weight control, as required by the Division, so as not to overload the floors.

(3) Material shall not be piled against partitions or walls of buildings when it is known that the partition or wall is not of sufficient strength to withstand the pressure.

(4) Material shall not be piled to a height which would render the pile unstable.

(5) When piling heavy bagged material

(a) the mouths of the bags shall be placed inwards;

(b) bags shall be cross-tied; and

(c) a step back of one bag shall be made at the first 1 500 mm (5 ft.) level and at each additional 900 mm (3 ft.) of height.

Section 43.5 Masonry units

43.5 The employer shall ensure that masonry units shall be stacked

(a) on level wooden planks, a platform or other level base;

(b) in tiers throughout a pile;

(c) so that a vertical face of a pile is not over 1 800 mm (72 in.) in height;

(d) when the pile exceeds 1 800 mm (72 in.) in height, by progressively stepping the pile back from the vertical face;

(e) when the pile exceeds 1 800 mm (72 in.), with wood strips between tiers to prevent toppling; and

(f) with header units in the pile where necessary to provide stability.

Section 43.6 Steel and pipe

43.6 Reinforcing steel and pipe shall be stacked in substantially supported and broad racks or frames, unless other provision is made to prevent their movement sideways.

Section 43.7 Other materials

43.7 The employer shall ensure that other materials to be used on the project shall be stored in an orderly manner and so as not to endanger the safety of workers.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 43.8 Handling materials

43.8 The employer shall ensure that

(a) where practicable, mechanical appliances shall be provided and used for lightening and carrying materials and articles;

(b) workers assigned to handle material shall be instructed how to lift and carry material on an individual basis, the overriding factor being the physical condition of each worker including sex and age when relevant;

(c) where heavy objects are lifted or carried by two or more workers, the raising and lowering of the loads shall be governed by well understood signals in order to ensure unity of action;

(d) where heavy objects, such as loaded drums or tanks, are handled on inclines in either direction

(i) ropes or other tackle shall be used to control their motion, in addition to the necessary chocks or wedges, and

(ii) workers shall be prohibited from standing between the skids on the downhill side;

(e) where heavy objects are moved by means of rollers, bars or sledges shall be used instead of hands or feet for changing the direction of the rollers while in motion;

(f) workers handling objects with sharp edges, fins, slivers, splinters or similar dangerous projecting parts, or handling hot, caustic or corrosive material, shall be provided with and shall use suitable protective clothing and equipment;

(g) unless specific instructions are given to the contrary, loaded boxes and crates shall be piled on the sides having largest area;

(h) the piles shall be effectively cross-tied by suitable means;

(i) loaded cartons shall not be piled to such a height as to cause collapse of the lower cartons in the pile and shall be protected against moisture;

(j) lumber stored in yards shall be piled on supports above the grounds, the horizontal or slightly inclined layers separated by tie pieces, the ends of which will not project into walkways;

(k) pipe and bar stock shall, where practicable, be piled on stable storage racks so located that the withdrawal of the material does not create a hazard;

(l) where empty barrels or drums, large pipe, rolls of paper or other cylindrical objects are piled on their sides, the piles shall be symmetrical and stable; and every unit in the bottom row shall be carefully wedged;

(m) where storage racks are not provided for pipe and bar stock, the stock shall be piled on layers resting on wood strips with stock blocks fixed on the ends or on metal bars with unturned end;

(n) where loaded barrels, drums or keys are piled on their ends, the piles should be low and two planks should be laid side by side on top of each row before another row is started;

(o) equipment or objects, such as foundry flasks, forging dies, foundry castings and the like, shall be piled in a stable, orderly way on level and substantial foundation and arranged in order of size and type.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT
R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. O-1.01

Section 1 Definitions

1. In this Act

(a) "Board" means the Workers Compensation Board continued under the Workers Compensation Act R.S.P.E.I. 1988, Cap. W-7.1;

(b) "committee" means a joint occupational health and safety committee established under section 25;

(c) "construction" includes building, erection, excavation, alteration, repair, renovation, dismantling, demolition, structural maintenance, painting, moving, land clearing, earth moving, grading, street and highway building, concreting, equipment installation and alteration and the structural installation of construction components and materials in any form or for any purpose, and any work in connection therewith;

(d) "constructor" means a person who contracts to do work on a project for an owner or who undertakes work on a project as an owner;

(e) "contractor" means a person who contracts for work to be performed at the workplace of the person contracting to have the work performed, but does not include a constructor;

(f) "Council" means the Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Council continued under subsection 22(1);

(g) "Director" means the Director of Occupational Health and Safety appointed under section 5 or any person designated by the Director under subsection 6(2) to act on behalf of the Director;

(h) "employer" means a person who employs one or more workers or contracts for the services of one or more workers, and includes a constructor or contractor;

(i) "former Act" means the Occupational Health and Safety Act R.S.P.E.I. 1988, Cap. O-1;

(j) "medical examination" means a medical examination conducted by a medical practitioner;

(k) "Minister" means the Minister appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council to administer this Act;

(l) "occupational disease" means an occupational disease as defined in the Workers Compensation Act ;

(m) "officer" means an occupational health and safety officer appointed under subsection 5(2) and includes the Director;

(n) "owner" includes

(i) a trustee, receiver, mortgagee in possession, tenant, lessee or occupier of lands or premises used or to be used as a workplace, and

(ii) a person who acts for or on behalf of a person referred to in subclause (i) as that person's agent or delegate;

(o) "policy" means an occupational health and safety policy made under this Act;

(p) "program" means an occupational health and safety program required under this Act, unless the context otherwise requires;

(q) "project" means a construction project, and includes

(i) the construction, erection, excavation, renovation, repair, alteration or demolition of a structure, building or tunnel and the preparatory work of land clearing or earth moving, and

(ii) work of any nature or kind designated by the Director as a project;

(r) "protective equipment" means a piece of equipment or clothing designed to be used to protect the occupational health or safety of a worker;

(s) "regularly employed" includes seasonal employment with a recurring period of employment that exceeds 12 weeks;

(t) "representative" means an occupational health and safety representative selected under section 26;

(u) "self-employed person" means a person who is engaged in an occupation on that person's own behalf;

(v) "supplier" means a person who manufactures, supplies, sells, leases, distributes or installs any item, device, material, equipment or machinery or a biological, physical or chemical agent to be used by a worker;

(w) "Supreme Court" Repealed. [S.P.E.I. 2008, c. 20, s. 72]

(x) "worker" means

(i) a person employed in a workplace,

(ii) a person in a workplace for any purpose in connection therewith;

(y) "workplace" means a place where a worker is or is likely to be engaged in an occupation and includes a vehicle, fishing vessel or mobile equipment used or likely to be used by a worker in an occupation.

[S.P.E.I. 2008, c. 20, s. 72]

Section 12 Duties of employers

12. (1) An employer shall ensure

(a) that every reasonable precaution is taken to protect the occupational health and safety of persons at or near the workplace;

(b) that any item, device, material, equipment or machinery provided for the use of workers at a workplace is properly maintained, and is properly equipped with the safety features or devices, as recommended by the manufacturer or required by the regulations;

(c) that such information, instruction, training, supervision and facilities are provided as are necessary to ensure the occupational health and safety of the workers;

(d) that workers and supervisors are familiar with occupational health or safety hazards at the workplace;

(e) that workers are made familiar with the proper use of all safety features or devices, equipment and clothing required for their protection; and

(f) that the employer's undertaking is conducted so that workers are not exposed to occupational health or safety hazards as a result of the undertaking.

(2) An employer shall

(a) consult and cooperate with the joint occupational health and safety committee or the representative, as applicable;

(b) cooperate with any person performing a duty or exercising a power conferred by this Act or the regulations;

(c) provide such additional training of committee members as may be prescribed by the regulations;

(d) comply with this Act and the regulations and ensure that workers at the workplace comply with this Act and the regulations; and

(e) where an occupational health and safety policy or occupational health and safety program is required under this Act, establish the policy or program.

(3) An employer shall establish and implement as a policy, in accordance with the regulations, measures to prevent and investigate occurrences of harassment in the workplace.

[S.P.E.I. 2018, c. 45, s. 3]

Section 15 Duties of supplier

15. A supplier shall ensure

(a) that any item, device, material, equipment or machinery supplied by the supplier to a workplace is, when it is supplied, properly equipped with the safety features or devices required by the regulations;

(b) that the item, device, material, equipment or machinery is maintained in safe working condition and in compliance with this Act and the regulations, where it is the supplier's responsibility under an agreement to maintain it; and

(c) that a biological, chemical or physical agent supplied by the supplier is labelled in accordance with the applicable federal and provincial regulations.

Section 20 Duties of architect and engineer

20. An architect, as defined by the Architects Act R.S.P.E.I. 1988, Cap. A-18.1, and a professional engineer, as defined by the Engineering Profession Act R.S.P.E.I. 1988, Cap. E-8.1, shall carry out their duties

(a) in such a manner as to ensure the occupational health and safety of persons at or near a workplace; and

(b) in compliance with this Act and the regulations.