The following information has been taken from the Ontario Ministry of Labour Website and is to serve as a guide to Property Managers and building owners.

It has been prepared to help workplace parties understand and comply with some of their obligations under the Regulation for Window Cleaning, R.R.O. 1990, Regulation 859 ("Regulation 859" or "Reg. 859") and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) as they apply to window cleaning and work using roof anchors.

This guideline references the following sources:

  • The OHSA
  • Regulation 859
  • CAN/CSA Standard Z91-02 "Health and Safety Code for Suspended Equipment Operations"
  • CAN/CSA Standard Z271-10 "Safety Code for Suspended Platforms"
  • CAN/CSA Standard Z259 -10 "Full Body Harness", and
  • CAN/CSA Standard 3-Z11-M81 "Ladders".

Anchor points

Every owner of a building where a suspended scaffold, boatswain's chair or similar single-point suspension equipment is to be used for window cleaning or where sill work is done shall, among other things:

  • ensure that any faulty anchor point is repaired
  • ensure that any anchor point is suitable for use for window cleaning and sill work before being used
  • keep a record of the inspections of any anchor points, (including davit bases, monorail systems, stabilizer systems, rope stops) and permanently-installed suspended scaffold in a log book
  • maintain and retain the log book as long as the anchor points and suspended scaffold equipment are used
  • ensure that the name and signature of the person making the inspection is recorded, and
  • record any modifications or repairs made to an anchor point or a suspended scaffold, including the date they are made and the name and signature of the person making the modifications or repairs [Reg. 859, section 41].

 Adhesive anchor points

Adhesive anchor installations shall:

  • incorporate a minimum of three adhesive inserts per anchor
  • be designed by a professional engineer
  • only use inserts that are made of stainless material, and
  • be installed under the direction of a professional engineer.

Systems incorporating adhesive expansion fasteners shall also have 100% of the anchor points load tested at intervals not exceeding five years [CAN/CSA Z271-10 clause 9.4.3 (b)].

Inspection reports

Every owner of a building where a suspended scaffold, boatswain's chair or similar single-point suspension equipment is to be used for window cleaning or where sill work is done shall cause all anchor points and permanently-installed suspended scaffolds to be inspected by a competent person before being used for the first time and thereafter as often as necessary but not less frequently than recommended by the manufacturer of the anchor points or the suspended scaffolds, as the case may be, and in any case, at least once a year; and when informed under section 43 of a defect or inadequacy [Reg. 859, section 41(1)].

A building owner shall keep a record of the inspections of any anchor points and any permanently installed suspended scaffold at a building in a log book to be maintained and retained as long as the anchor points and suspended scaffold are used, showing:

  1. (a) the date on which each inspection is made
  2. (b) the name and signature of the person making the inspection, and
  3. (c) any modifications or repairs made to an anchor point or a suspended scaffold, including the date they are made and the name and signature of the person making the modifications or repairs [Reg. 859, section 41(5)].

Roof sketch

Every owner of a building where a suspended scaffold, boatswain's chair or similar single-point suspension equipment is to be used for window cleaning shall prepare a sketch or sketches showing all anchor points and related structures on the building that are suitable and adequate for the attachment of the suspended scaffold, boatswain's chair or similar single-point suspension equipment and the lifeline [Reg. 859, section 39(1)].

As a minimum, the sketch should include, but not be limited to:

  • a plan view showing essential structural members, including anchors and approach anchors
  • details of the equipment and its installation
  • the safe working loads of the equipment and any use restriction on the equipment
  • all relevant obstruction and structures or other obstacles that impede the safe use or operation, or both, of the equipment
  • the distance between anchors
  • the location of all windows
  • details of anchor system including, capacity, size and material used for every component
  • related codes and standards used in designing the anchor system
  • a self-rescue plan, and
  • drawings that are signed and sealed by a professional engineer – clause 8 of CAN/CSA Z91-02.

The building owner must provide a copy of the sketch(s) to the person supplying the window cleaning services before the work is begun and no employer may permit a worker to engage in window cleaning using a suspended scaffold, boatswain's chair or similar single-point suspension equipment until the employer has received a copy of the sketch or sketches [Reg. 859, section 39(2)].

The roof plan shall be signed and sealed by professional engineer to ensure compliance with this Standard and with CAN/CSA-Z271. 8.2.3 A legible copy of the roof plan shall be posted at every entrance to a roof level.