Preface 

This is the third edition of CSA Z797, Code of practice for access scaffold . It supersedes the previous editions published in 2018 and 2009. The purpose of this Standard is to provide criteria for the safe erection (in this Standard, the term "erection" includes assembling, altering, or dismantling) and use and inspection of the various types of scaffold. Significant changes to this edition include the following: a) added requirements for manufactured scaffold components; b) added requirements of a fall protection training program (Clause 6.6.3); c) added guidance on travel restraint systems (Clause 6.8.2); d) added guidance on the inspection of scaffolds (Clause 7.2.1); e) added caution for enclosed scaffolds (Clause 7.5.3); and f) new clause on the establishment, maintenance, and implementation of a scaffold training program (Clause 9). Portions of the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) publication M029, Construction Health and Safety Manual, are reprinted with permission from IHSA. All rights reserved. Portions of the Scaffold & Access Industry Association (SAIA) publications, A Pocket Handbook Guide on Solid Sawn Wood Scaffold Plank, A Pocket Handbook Guide on Visual Inspection of Metal/Composite Scaffold Platforms, and A Pocket Handbook Guide on Laminated Veneer Lumber Scaffold Plank, are reprinted with permission from SAIA. All rights reserved. CSA acknowledges that the development of this Standard was made possible, in part, by the financial support of federal, provincial, and territorial occupational health and safety government agencies. This Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on Access Scaffold Code of Practice, under the jurisdiction of the Strategic Steering Committee on Occupational Health and Safety, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee. This Standard has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group. 

Scope 

1.1 Purpose 

The purpose of this Standard is to provide criteria for the safe erection, use, and inspection of access scaffold (as covered in CSA S269.2 and engineered systems) and for the training of erectors and users of such equipment. 

1.2 Subjects addressed 

This Standard applies to the erection, use, and inspection of access scaffold, and to training requirements for access scaffold that is a) supported on a surface; b) hung from multiple points, but is not capable of moving vertically or horizontally; or c) mounted on wheels. This Standard addresses key hazards, including fall hazards, structural instability, platform failures, and material handling issues. Note: In this Standard, the term "erection" refers to the assembling, altering, or dismantling of a scaffold. While this Standard applies to scaffold as defined in Clause 3, this Standard is not limited to scaffold used solely for the purpose of construction, maintenance, or repair operations. 

1.3 Equipment not covered 

This Standard does not apply to the following: a) falsework and formwork for construction purposes, as covered in CSA S269.1; b) suspended access equipment, as covered in CSA Z91 and CSA Z271; c) elevating work platforms, as covered in CAN/CSA-B354.6, CAN/CSA-B354.7, and CAN/CSA-B354.8; d) manual or powered mast-climbing work platforms, such as a pump jack scaffold or equipment covered in CSA B354.9, CSA B354.10, and CSA B354.11; e) centre-pole scaffolds; and f) appliances or accessories attached to scaffold. 

1.4 Terminology 

In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application. 

1.5 Measurement 

The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.