In the scaffolding industry, ensuring site safety is not just a legal requirement; it is a foundational business principle. From the moment your team mobilizes on site to the final teardown, each step must reflect strong adherence to the Occupational Health and Safety Code (OHS Code) of Alberta.
As a professional scaffolding contractor in Edmonton, making your safety culture visible, consistent and robust can significantly strengthen your reputation and reduce risk. At Green Scaffolding, we integrate rigorous inspection processes and training programs, so every project is compliant, and every worker is protected.
In this blog, we will discuss the most critical safety practices every scaffolding company in Edmonton should follow such as drawing on industry regulations, practical implementation and real-world daily routines. These practices not only help with compliance but also support site efficiency, client satisfaction and long-term business success.
What Does The OHS Code Require For Scaffolding And Work Platforms?
The OHS Code sets out specific obligations for employers, supervisors and workers in Alberta. OHS code under part 23, employers must ensure scaffolding and temporary work platforms are designed, erected, used, modified and dismantled safely. This means:
- The structure must be capable of supporting the intended loads.
- Work platforms must have guardrails, toe boards and safe access.
- Only qualified personnel may erect or alter the scaffold.
- Inspection and maintenance must be documented.
Beyond scaffolding-specific rules, the broader Act imposes general duties. Employers must take “every precaution reasonably practicable” to ensure worker health and safety; supervisors must ensure workers follow safe procedures; and workers must take reasonable care of their own and others’ safety.
Given the scale of risk in setting up scaffolding, heights, load-bearing frames, changing site conditions, contractors in Edmonton must treat safety as a continuous practice rather than a one-time checklist.
How a Scaffolding Contractor Builds a Strong Safety Culture
Building a strong safety culture starts long before the first scaffold frame is erected. It begins with clear leadership values, transparent communication, and a shared belief among every crew member that safety is everyone’s responsibility. For Edmonton scaffolding contractors, a proactive safety culture helps prevent incidents and promotes accountability at every level.
A company that treats safety as an integral part of operations sets the stage for long-term reliability. This includes developing standard operating procedures tailored to each project type, maintaining open dialogue between field workers and supervisors, and ensuring that safety documentation is easy to access and regularly updated.
When every team member understands the why behind each rule, compliance naturally becomes a habit rather than an obligation.
At Green Scaffolding, this philosophy drives every project we undertake. From onboarding and refresher courses to leadership walk-arounds, we ensure every worker has both the training and confidence to identify hazards, report concerns, and take preventive action immediately.
That commitment to education and empowerment is what separates a compliant contractor from a truly safety-driven one. A company’s safety culture is reflected in daily actions rather than just policies on a shelf. For Edmonton scaffolding firms, these elements are essential:
- Leadership Commitment
Senior management must clearly communicate that safety is non-negotiable. This means budgets for training, time for inspections, and visible support for safety teams.
- Worker-Led Hazard Assessment
Under Alberta regulations, employers must involve workers in identifying hazards, particularly when work changes.
- Regular Training Protocols
Every worker, from scaffold erector to labourer, must receive scaffold-specific training: how to assess loads, inspect components, use fall-protection gear, and respond to changing conditions (e.g., weather, shifting structure). Refresher training should be given whenever a new scaffold system is introduced.
- Visible Accountability
Safety procedures should be integrated into tasks. Supervisors, not just safety officers, should perform daily walk-throughs and enforce compliance. Regular toolbox talks help keep safety front-of-mind.
By embedding these practices into every project, contractors align with the OHS Code and reduce the risk of costly disruptions or incidents.
What Inspection and Maintenance Routines Ensure Scaffold Integrity from Erection to Dismantling?
Inspection and maintenance are among the most critical safety practices for scaffolding contractors. A reliable inspection process ensures structural stability, compliance with Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Code, and protection for every worker using the platform.
For Edmonton scaffolding companies, maintaining a consistent inspection schedule across every project phase is key to preventing accidents and ensuring reliability.
Detailed inspection and maintenance routines are essential across every phase of work. Partnering with a company that provides comprehensive scaffold installation and dismantling services helps ensure each platform remains stable, secure, and compliant with provincial standards.
A strong inspection system addresses three essential phases:
1. Pre-Erection Inspection
Before the scaffold is erected:
- Review design drawings or load tables to confirm the scaffold suits the expected height, span, and load.
- Verify that all components (frames, tie-backs, decking, guardrails) are certified and in good condition.
- Ensure the ground or supporting structure can bear the intended weight.
These actions align with Part 23 of the OHS Code, which requires scaffolding to be “capable of supporting the loads” and safe for use.
2. During-Use Inspection
Once the scaffold is in service:
- Conduct daily site inspections to check for damage, movement, unsafe modifications, or environmental effects like wind and ice.
- Record findings in a written log. The Government of Canada’s guidance on workplace inspections highlights that each review should identify hazards, recommend corrections, and document follow-up actions.
- Communicate inspection results to all site personnel before work begins.
3. Dismantling and Post-Use Inspection
When the project ends or the structure is removed:
- Follow the manufacturer and Alberta OHS requirements for dismantling sequences.
- Inspect all components before storage or reuse, removing damaged parts immediately.
- Maintain detailed inspection records confirming the scaffold was safely taken out of service.
At Green Scaffolding, every installation undergoes documented inspections at each stage. Our teams use standardized checklists and sign-off procedures to confirm compliance and readiness before any platform is cleared for use.
Practical Site Controls Edmonton Contractors Apply
Effective hazard control involves layered measures tailored to scaffolding tasks and environmental conditions. Edmonton’s variable weather and complex construction sites require contractors to implement detailed safety systems that align with Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Code.
Below are the key practical controls that help keep workers protected and scaffolding structures secure throughout the project lifecycle.
Fall-Protection Systems
- Install guardrails, mid-rails, and toe boards on all elevated platforms as required by the OHS Code.
- Use personal fall-arrest systems where guardrails cannot be installed, such as at open edges or irregular structures.
- Inspect anchorage systems daily, ensuring they meet manufacturer specifications and remain secure.
Load and Stability Controls
- Never exceed the scaffold’s rated load capacity.
- Brace and tie the scaffold to the building or supporting structure to prevent collapse or displacement.
- On industrial sites such as refineries or power plants, ensure that additional lateral ties and base plates are included in the engineering plan.
Environmental and Site-Specific Conditions
- Monitor weather closely, particularly wind, snow, and temperature changes that can impact balance and footing.
- Clear debris, tools, and unused materials from walkways and base areas to prevent tripping hazards.
- During Edmonton’s winter freeze–thaw cycles, check the ground regularly to confirm that the base remains stable and level.
Safe Access and Egress
- Provide stable ladders or stair systems for scaffold access.
- Keep work platforms unobstructed to allow safe movement and quick evacuation in an emergency.
- Use signage and barriers to designate restricted areas around erection and dismantling zones.
By combining these measures with consistent training, supervision, and inspection routines, contractors can maintain compliance with provincial safety standards and significantly reduce scaffold-related incidents.
Benefits of Adopting Best-In-Class Scaffold Safety Practices in Edmonton
When a scaffolding contractor consistently applies robust safety practices, the benefits extend beyond regulatory compliance:
- Reduced incidents: fewer stoppages, injuries and regulatory intervention.
- Client confidence: owners, contractors and insurers seek partners with proven safety records.
- Operational efficiency: fewer unplanned interruptions mean smoother project timelines.
- Competitive edge: In tendering situations for commercial and industrial projects, your safety culture can differentiate you.
Adhering to the OHS Code and maintaining visible inspection and training records positions your company as a professional, reliable partner and that builds long-term trust across the Edmonton construction market.
For Edmonton contractors, combining strict inspection protocols with experienced industrial scaffolding services is the most effective way to maintain OHS compliance while protecting crews working at height.
Final Thoughts
Safety in scaffolding is an ongoing commitment, not simply a checklist item. From initial design and hazard assessment through erection, use, inspection and dismantling, every phase demands attention and expertise. For Edmonton contractors, aligning with Alberta’s OHS Code and embedding a safety culture is non-negotiable.
At Green Scaffolding, we take this responsibility seriously. We offer daily inspection logbooks, dedicated training programmes, and a safety team that ensures every scaffold we erect meets compliance and practical safety standards.
About Us
Green Scaffolding is a trusted scaffolding company in Edmonton providing complete solutions for commercial, industrial, and construction projects across Western Canada. With years of hands-on experience, we specialize in safe scaffold installation, dismantling, and rental services tailored to each site’s structural and safety requirements.
Our crews are fully trained under Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Code and follow rigorous inspection routines on every build. From oil-and-gas facilities to high-rise developments, we deliver reliable scaffolding systems that help contractors work efficiently and confidently at height.
To learn more about our company values and project standards, visit our website. For estimates, safety documentation, or partnership opportunities, connect with our team.