Toward the end of 1997 the ECAO/IBEW Electrical Trade Labour-Management Health and
Safety Committee approved an updated version of its manual for publication by CSAO. The
1997 edition of the Electrical Construction and Maintenance Workers' Safety Manual (M010)
covers workplace responsibilities, tagging and lockout, accident and injury prevention,
first aid, and hazardous materials.
The manual includes the following section on vehicle-mounted aerial devices. Point 7
stipulates that when one worker is aloft in an aerial device such as a bucket, a second
worker trained to lower the device in emergencies must be immediately available on the
ground.
Aerial Devices
1. Vehicle-mounted aerial devices must be used only in accordance with the requirements
in Sections 144-149 of the current construction regulation (O. Reg. 213/91).
2. While aloft, workers must not climb from an aerial device to another elevated
position.
3. A worker aloft in an aerial device must wear an approved safety belt or safety
harness with the lanyard properly tied off to the boom.
4. An aerial device must not be moved closer to a live line conductor than the minimum
distances listed in the table below unless
a) a signaller is provided to advise the operator of his or her proximity to the live
line conductor and
b) the device being used is an approved insulated aerial device with a dielectric
rating adequate for the live line voltage.
5. Workers on the ground must keep clear of the vehicle when the aerial device is close
to live conductors.
6. Mechanically operated aerial ladders must not be raised or lowered, extended or
retracted while a worker is on the ladder.
7. Workers must not go aloft unless a trained person on the ground is immediately
available to assist in lowering the aerial device in case of emergency.
8. Only one worker at a time must be aloft on an aerial ladder.
9. In case of emergency a hand line long enough to reach the ground when the aerial
device is fully extended to its maximum height must be carried in the device.
10. One 20-pound (18 kg) or two 10-pound multi-purpose fire extinguishers must be kept
in the vehicle in case of a hydraulic-fluid or other fire.
