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Unit 1 — Workplace Safety and Equipment Management
Section 3 — Access Equipment

3.4 Inspection, Storage, & Maintenance

Every piece of access equipment must be inspected before use, stored correctly to prevent damage, and maintained to remain safe and serviceable. Failure to follow these procedures is one of the leading causes of fall-related injuries in the mechanical trades.

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🪜Ladder
Inspection 🏗️Scaffold
Inspection 🚧Aerial Lift
Inspection 📦Storage 🔧Maintenance

3.4.1 — Ladder Inspection

Every ladder must be inspected before each use. A damaged ladder can fail without warning, resulting in a serious fall. The following elements must be checked on every ladder before it leaves the truck or storage area.

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Structural Integrity Checks

  • Rails / Stiles: No cracks, splits, dents, or bends; rails must be straight and parallel.
  • Rungs / Steps: All rungs present, securely fastened, free from bends, cracks, and slipperiness.
  • Feet / Foot Pads: Non-slip rubber feet present and not worn or missing.
  • Hardware: All rivets, bolts, and fasteners tight and not corroded.
  • Locking Mechanisms: Spreader bar (stepladder) or rung-lock (extension ladder) functions correctly and locks securely.
  • Rope and Pulleys (extension ladders): Rope not frayed; pulleys rotate freely.
  • Fly Section: Slides smoothly; no binding or excessive play.
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Ladder Defect Tags Any ladder with defects must be immediately tagged "OUT OF SERVICE — DO NOT USE" and removed from the job site. Defective ladders must not be repaired on-site unless done by a qualified person using manufacturer-approved methods.

3.4.2 — Scaffold Inspection

Scaffolding must be inspected by a competent person before each work shift and after any event (weather, impact, or modification) that could affect its structural integrity. A Green Tag must be visibly posted confirming the inspection is current.

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Scaffold Pre-Use Checklist

  • Foundations: Base plates seated, mudsills intact, no settlement or undermining of base.
  • Frames / Standards: Plumb (within ±1/16 in. per foot of height), no bent or corroded members.
  • Cross-Braces: All locks engaged on both ends of each brace.
  • Tie-Ins: All ties present and secure; no modifications since last inspection.
  • Platform Decking: Full coverage, no gaps > 25 mm, planks not cracked or decayed, cleated to prevent displacement.
  • Guardrails: Top rail, mid-rail, and toe board all present and secure.
  • Access: Access ladder or stair present at each tier; landing platforms installed.
  • Tags: Green Tag present and current; signed by competent person.
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Never Modify a Tagged Scaffold Once a scaffold has been inspected and tagged, no component may be added, removed, or altered without re-inspection by a competent person. Unauthorized modifications void the tag and create an imminent fall hazard.

3.4.3 — Aerial Lift Inspection

Aerial lifts must be inspected daily before first use, following the manufacturer's pre-use inspection checklist (ANSI A92 / CSA B354). Both the ground-level controls and the platform controls must be verified functional before any personnel are elevated.

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Aerial Lift Pre-Use Checklist

Structure

  • No visible cracks, bends, or weld failures on boom, turntable, or chassis.
  • No structural damage from previous contact or impact.

Tyres / Ground Drives

  • Correct inflation on pneumatic tyres; no cuts or bulges.
  • All wheel nuts tight; no damage to drive components.

Fluid Levels

  • Hydraulic oil, engine oil, fuel, and coolant at required levels.
  • No visible leaks from hoses, cylinders, or fittings.

Controls

  • All controls functional at both platform and ground station.
  • Emergency stop tested and confirmed operational.

Safety Devices

  • Tilt alarm / sensor, overload indicator, and outrigger interlocks all functional.

Platform & Decals

  • Guardrails, gate, and floor solid and undamaged; anchor points present and rated.
  • All capacity, warning, and operating instruction decals legible and in place.
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Take the Machine Out of Service if Any Item Fails If any item on the pre-use inspection fails, the aerial lift must be taken out of service immediately, tagged, and reported to a supervisor. Never operate a lift with a known defect or bypassed safety device.

3.4.4 — Storage

Correct storage protects access equipment from physical damage, UV degradation, and corrosion, and ensures it is ready for safe use on the next job. Improperly stored equipment can develop hidden defects that are not visible until it fails under load.

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Ladder Storage

  • 🔲 Horizontal Support — Store ladders horizontally on evenly spaced wall brackets or a rack; never lean a ladder unsupported against a wall for storage.
  • 🌤️ Environment — Keep away from direct sunlight, extreme heat, and chemical vapours (UV and solvents degrade fibreglass rails).
  • 🏷️ Segregation — Tag and physically separate any ladder that is out of service so it cannot be taken to a job site by mistake.
  • 🚫 No Load During Storage — Never store materials on top of a stored ladder; concentrated weight can permanently deform the rails.
  • 🔑 Secure Transport — Secure ladders to the vehicle rack with tie-downs rated for the load; pad contact points to prevent rail abrasion.
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Scaffold Storage

Frames & Standards

  • Clean and dry before storage to prevent rust.
  • Stack frames flat on level storage racks or stand vertically in designated bins.
  • Apply a light rust-inhibiting coat to bare steel if stored outdoors long-term.

Planks & Hardware

  • Store planks off the ground on stacking brackets to allow air circulation.
  • Keep couplers, pins, and base plates in labelled bins to prevent loss and mixing of incompatible systems.
  • Inspect planks for moisture warping before returning to service.
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Aerial Lift Storage

Lower the platform fully before parking or storing the unit.
Park on firm, level ground; engage the parking brake and chock wheels.
Remove the key and secure it per your employer's equipment-control procedure.
Charge batteries overnight on electric units to preserve battery life.
Follow the manufacturer's winterization procedure in cold climates to prevent hydraulic fluid freeze-up.

3.4.5 — Maintenance

Routine maintenance keeps access equipment in safe working condition and extends its service life. Maintenance records must be kept on file and made available for inspection by a Ministry of Labour officer on request.

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Ladder Maintenance

  • 🧽 Cleaning — Wipe down rails and rungs with a damp cloth after each use; use a mild solvent to remove grease, tar, or adhesives.
  • 🔩 Lubrication — Lubricate rung-locks, pulleys, and hinges (stepladder spreader bar) with a light machine oil; wipe off excess.
  • 👟 Foot Replacement — Replace worn, cracked, or missing non-slip rubber feet immediately; worn feet are a leading cause of ladder base slip.
  • 🎨 No Painting — Never paint a ladder. Paint conceals cracks, corrosion, and structural defects. Fibreglass ladders may be marked with adhesive labels only.
  • 📋 Periodic Inspection — Follow CSA Z11 / ANSI A14 periodic inspection schedules; document findings and actions taken.
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Scaffold Maintenance

  • 🔗 Coupler & Pin Care — Clean coupler threads and locking pins after each use; replace any pin that is bent, worn, or will not lock positively.
  • 🛠️ Damaged Members — Remove bent, cracked, or severely corroded frames and cross-braces from service immediately; never field-weld scaffold members without engineering approval.
  • 🌊 Corrosion Treatment — Re-galvanize or apply approved paint to bare steel where galvanizing has been worn through; document all treatments.
  • 🪵 Plank Inspection — Replace any plank with cracks, splits, end checks deeper than 1/3 the plank thickness, or excessive deflection under load.
  • 📁 Maintenance Log — Maintain a scaffold inspection and repair log; each entry must record date, inspector name, findings, and corrective actions.
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Aerial Lift Maintenance

Scheduled Service

  • Perform daily pre-use inspection per manufacturer's checklist (ANSI A92 / CSA B354).
  • Lubricate pivot points, boom sections, and levelling jacks on the manufacturer's recommended schedule.
  • Change hydraulic fluid and filters as specified; never mix fluid types or brands.
  • Schedule an annual third-party inspection by a qualified technician.

Battery & Fluid Care

  • Check electrolyte levels in flooded lead-acid batteries weekly; top up with distilled water only.
  • Keep battery terminals clean and free of corrosion; apply terminal protector spray after cleaning.
  • Monitor engine oil, coolant, and hydraulic oil levels daily on engine-powered units.
  • Address all fluid leaks before returning the unit to service.
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Documentation Is Your Protection Keeping accurate maintenance records not only satisfies regulatory requirements — it demonstrates due diligence if an equipment failure ever results in an inspection or legal proceeding. Record every inspection, repair, and replacement with date, person responsible, and parts used.
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