Scaffolding · Canada

FLHA for scaffold erection

By Safety PaperworkBuilt from provincial OHS law and CCOHS guidance · How we write and check theseUpdated November 9, 2026

Provincial OHS law requires hazards to be assessed and controlled before work starts. A field level hazard assessment (FLHA) for scaffold erection is done on site at the start of the shift and again whenever conditions change.

It lists the tasks, hazards and controls, and every worker signs on before starting and signs off at the end of the shift. The main hazards are falling from height, scaffold collapse or fall from scaffold, road traffic and public entering the work area.

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FLHA example: scaffold erection

This is a complete FLHA for scaffold erection, with 9 job steps. Open it in the builder to add your site, crew and signatures, change anything, and download a PDF. Or download the free Word template below and fill it in by hand.

Field Level Hazard Assessment (FLHA)

Scaffold erection · Scaffolding · Example

Document FLHA-001 · Rev 1

Job steps, hazards and controls

#	Job step	Hazards	Risk before	Controls	Risk after
1	Check the scaffold design (an engineer's drawings on site for tall or special scaffolds), ground conditions and power lines before unloading	Contact with overhead power lines Scaffold collapse or fall from scaffold	Critical	Ask the utility to de-energize, move or insulate the lines before work starts. Elimination Use non-conductive (fibreglass) ladders near any power lines. Substitution Mark the safe distance with flags, tape or goal posts and keep all equipment and people outside it. Engineering (guarding) Keep to the provincial limits of approach and contact the utility before working near lines. Administrative Use a dedicated spotter whenever equipment moves or raises anything near lines. Administrative Treat all lines as live. If equipment touches a line, stay in the cab and keep everyone well away. Administrative Scaffold is built, altered and taken down only by trained workers supervised by a competent worker, on a firm base with sole boards and ties. Engineering Fit guardrails, mid rails and toe boards on every working platform. Engineering Scaffold collapse or fall from scaffold: see step 9 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
2	Set up an exclusion zone or hoarding and control traffic and the public	Public entering the work area Road traffic Falling tools and materials	Critical	Fence off the site with secure temporary fencing and lock the gates when you leave. Engineering (guarding) Give pedestrians a safe, marked path around the work, with ramps for strollers and wheelchairs. Engineering (guarding) Use hoarding, covered walkways or catch fans where work is above public areas. Engineering Put signs at each entry: site name, contact number and "No unauthorised entry". Administrative Make the site safe at the end of each day: cover holes, lower buckets and booms, remove ladders and lock tools away. Administrative Do the work at low-traffic times, or close the road or lane with approval. Elimination Put solid barriers between the work and traffic where speeds are high, not just cones. Engineering (guarding) Use a truck-mounted attenuator or buffer vehicle on high speed roads. Engineering Set up signs and cones to your provincial traffic control manual, with trained traffic control persons. Administrative Get a road occupancy permit from the municipality or road authority before you start. Administrative Barricade and sign the drop zone under overhead work so nobody walks beneath. Engineering (guarding) Fit toe boards, kick plates and mesh screens on scaffolds and edges. Engineering Falling tools and materials: see step 6 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
3	Unload and stack gear close to the work, lifting with a partner	Lifting and carrying heavy loads Road traffic	Critical	Plan to avoid carrying: have materials delivered, and old items picked up, as close as possible to where they are used. Elimination Use lighter or smaller loads: order smaller bags and shorter lengths, and drain or break down old items before moving them. Substitution Use trolleys, pallet jacks, hoists, vacuum lifters or equipment instead of carrying by hand. Engineering Use a two-person lift for anything heavy, long or awkward. Plan the route first and clear it. Administrative Keep the load close, back straight and no twisting. Turn with your feet. Administrative Rotate tasks and take breaks on long lifting jobs. Administrative Wear gloves for grip and safety boots to protect your feet. PPE Park work vehicles to shield the work zone, with beacons on. Administrative Wear high-visibility clothing to CSA Z96. PPE Road traffic: see step 2 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
4	Set base plates and sole boards on firm, level ground	Scaffold collapse or fall from scaffold	Critical	Use mobile scaffolds only on firm, level ground with castors locked and outriggers fitted. Never move one with anyone on it. Engineering A competent worker inspects the scaffold before use each shift, after any change and after bad weather, and tags every access point: green safe, yellow caution, red do not use. Administrative Scaffold collapse or fall from scaffold: see step 9 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
5	Erect lift by lift, installing guardrails as you go and staying clipped on	Falling from height Scaffold collapse or fall from scaffold	Critical	Do the work from the ground where you can, for example pre-assemble on the ground or use extension poles. Elimination Install guardrails or edge protection on all open edges before work starts. Engineering (guarding) Use a scaffold, mobile work platform or aerial work platform instead of working off a ladder. Engineering Where edge protection is not practical, use a fall restraint or fall arrest system on a rated anchor point. Engineering Fall protection plan in place where required. Workers trained in fall protection (Working at Heights training in Ontario). Administrative Have a rescue plan so a worker hanging in a harness can be brought down within minutes. Administrative Wear a full body harness with a shock-absorbing lanyard, clipped on at all times when using fall arrest. PPE Do not overload platforms. Know the rated load and keep material stacks over the frames. Administrative Never remove ties, braces, guardrails or boards. Only the scaffolder alters the scaffold. Administrative Scaffold collapse or fall from scaffold: see step 9 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
6	Pass components up by hand or with a rated gin wheel fixed to the maker's instructions, never throw them	Falling tools and materials Lifting and carrying heavy loads	High	Barricade and sign the drop zone under overhead work so nobody walks beneath. Engineering (guarding) Fit toe boards, kick plates and mesh screens on scaffolds and edges. Engineering Use catch fans, debris netting or covered walkways where people pass below. Engineering Tether hand tools when working at height. Engineering Keep platforms tidy. Do not stack materials near edges or above toe board height. Administrative Lower materials with a hoist, chute or rope. Never throw or drop anything down. Administrative Wear a hard hat anywhere objects could fall. PPE Lifting and carrying heavy loads: see step 3 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
7	Tie in to the building at the design spacing as each lift goes up	Scaffold collapse or fall from scaffold Strong wind and storms	Critical	Wear a hard hat and safety boots on and around the scaffold. PPE Scaffold collapse or fall from scaffold: see step 9 for the full controls Administrative Check the forecast each morning and plan work at height and lifting around the weather. Elimination Tie down or weigh down loose sheets, panels, boards and rubbish at the end of each shift. Engineering Set wind limits for roof work, platforms and cranes, using the manufacturer's limits, and stop when they are reached. Administrative Stop work and get down in lightning. Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back up. Administrative Check scaffold, fencing and edge protection after strong wind before anyone uses them. Administrative Do not carry large sheets on roofs in wind. Administrative Wear a hard hat with a chin strap at height in windy conditions. PPE	Medium
8	Fit decks, guardrails, toe boards and ladder access	Falling from height Falling tools and materials Falling from a ladder	Critical	Falling from height: see step 5 for the full controls Administrative Falling tools and materials: see step 6 for the full controls Administrative Use a platform ladder, mobile scaffold or aerial work platform for longer jobs instead of a straight ladder. Substitution Use CSA Grade 1, 1A or 1AA ladders in good condition. Remove any damaged ladder from site. Engineering Set extension ladders at a 4 to 1 angle on firm, level ground, tied or footed, and reaching 1 metre above the landing. Engineering Use ladders only for short, light work. Do not carry heavy or awkward loads up a ladder. Administrative Keep three points of contact and your belt buckle between the side rails. Do not overreach. Administrative	Medium
9	Competent worker inspects the scaffold, tags every access point and hands it over before first use	Scaffold collapse or fall from scaffold	Critical	Scaffold is built, altered and taken down only by trained workers supervised by a competent worker, on a firm base with sole boards and ties. Engineering Fit guardrails, mid rails and toe boards on every working platform. Engineering Use mobile scaffolds only on firm, level ground with castors locked and outriggers fitted. Never move one with anyone on it. Engineering A competent worker inspects the scaffold before use each shift, after any change and after bad weather, and tags every access point: green safe, yellow caution, red do not use. Administrative Do not overload platforms. Know the rated load and keep material stacks over the frames. Administrative Never remove ties, braces, guardrails or boards. Only the scaffolder alters the scaffold. Administrative Wear a hard hat and safety boots on and around the scaffold. PPE	Medium

PPE

CSA green triangle safety boots (CSA Z195)Hard hat (CSA Z94.1)Full body harness (fall arrest)Work glovesHigh-visibility vest (CSA Z96)Safety glasses (CSA Z94.3)

Plant and equipment

Frame scaffold: Provincial scaffold erector trainingTrailerHand tools

Permits and plans

Fall protection plan

Emergency

Call 911. Add the nearest hospital, the muster point and the first aid attendant for your site.

Sign-off

Supervisor and every worker sign to confirm they have read and understood this FLHA, then sign off at the end of the shift.

Page 1 of the free scaffold erection FLHA template: business details, job steps with hazards, risk ratings and controls

Free FLHA template for scaffold erection

Word (.docx) and PDF, Letter landscape, no email needed. Fill in your site details, then print or send it.

Word template (.docx)PDF template

Make yours in 2 minutes

Same document, filled in for your job. Answer a few yes or no questions, the crew signs on the phone, and you send the PDF.

Start this FLHA

Pre-start checklist for scaffold erection

Tick these off before work starts. They come from the hazards, permits and equipment in this job.

FLHA read, explained and signed by everyone on the job
Guardrails or fall protection in place before anyone works at 3 m or more
Ladder inspected, secured and extending 1 m above the landing
Scaffold inspected by a competent person this shift
Overhead lines identified and safe distances marked
Exclusion zone and spotter set up for equipment and traffic
Exclusion zone below the work and public kept out
Wind and weather checked; stop work limits agreed
First aid attendant, first aid kit and emergency number (911) confirmed
PPE checked and worn: CSA green triangle safety boots (CSA Z195), hard hat (CSA Z94.1), full body harness (fall arrest), work gloves

The safe sequence of work

Check the scaffold design (an engineer's drawings on site for tall or special scaffolds), ground conditions and power lines before unloading
Set up an exclusion zone or hoarding and control traffic and the public
Unload and stack gear close to the work, lifting with a partner
Set base plates and sole boards on firm, level ground
Erect lift by lift, installing guardrails as you go and staying clipped on
Pass components up by hand or with a rated gin wheel fixed to the maker's instructions, never throw them
Tie in to the building at the design spacing as each lift goes up
Fit decks, guardrails, toe boards and ladder access
Competent worker inspects the scaffold, tags every access point and hands it over before first use

Hazards to watch on scaffold erection

The hazards most specific to this job, and the step where each one comes up.

Step 2, 3Road trafficPassing cars and trucks hit workers or plant working on or next to a road.

Step 1, 4, 5, 7, 9Scaffold collapse or fall from scaffoldA scaffold that is badly built, overloaded or altered collapses or tips, or a worker falls from an unguarded platform.

Step 1Contact with overhead power linesA ladder, aerial work platform, crane, dump truck or long length of material touches or gets close to an overhead line and electrocutes people.

Step 7Strong wind and stormsWind blows sheets, panels and people off roofs and scaffolds, and storms and lightning make work at height and lifting unsafe.

Step 8Falling from a ladderThe ladder slips or tips, or the worker overreaches, and they fall onto a hard surface.

Step 5, 8Falling from heightA worker falls from an edge, platform or opening and is badly hurt or killed. Fall protection is needed from 3 metres, and at any height over machinery, water or other hazards.

Highest risk on scaffold erection: Critical before controls (B), down to Medium after controls (A), on the Canada 5 by 5 risk matrix (likely and fatality becomes unlikely and serious injury).

What changes on your site

This example covers the job itself. Your site may add more. Add controls for any of these that apply (the builder asks you these as yes or no questions):

Will anyone work on a roof?
Is there a fragile roof, skylight or clear roof sheet?
Will you use an aerial work platform (scissor lift or boom lift)?
Was the building built before 1990?
Was the building built before 1990, and will you sand, scrape, cut, heat or strip paint?

Licences and legal requirements in Canada

Equipment on this job that needs a licence, ticket or training:

Frame scaffold: Provincial scaffold erector training

Employers must identify hazards before work starts and control them, and workers must be told about them. A field level hazard assessment is done on site, at the start of each shift or task, and reviewed again when conditions change.

Rules that apply: Provincial OHS regulation, scaffolds; Provincial OHS regulation, fall protection.

Why FLHAs get rejected

Prime contractors and COR auditors send documents back for these reasons. This example avoids them, but check yours too.

End of shift boxes already say "None" when the form was signed at the start of the shift.
One FLHA reused for days or weeks, or a "review by" date a month away, when the work and conditions change daily.
No time of assessment and no record of any revision, which Alberta s.7(3) requires.
Workers signed that they "read" it, but nothing shows they took part, which Alberta s.8(1) requires.
Work at height with no fall protection plan where the province requires one, or no written rescue procedure for workers using fall arrest.
Permits or locates required on site but no permit or ticket numbers recorded.
No re-assessment entry after an obvious change such as weather, a new task or a new crew member.

Rules by province for scaffold erection

Province or territory	Key local rule	Regulator
Ontario	Fall protection (O. Reg. 213/91 s.26) applies at a fall of more than 3 m, more than 1.2 m where the work area is used as a path for a wheelbarrow or similar equipment, and at any height into operating machinery, water or other liquid, a hazardous substance, or through an opening.	Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
British Columbia	Fall protection is required where a fall of 3 m or more may occur (s.11.2). A written fall protection plan is required at 7.5 m or more where there are no permanent guardrails (s.11.3).	WorkSafeBC
Alberta	A hazard assessment must be done before work begins, and before a new work site is built (OHS Code s.7(1)). The results must be written down with the controls (s.7(2)).	Alberta Occupational Health and Safety
Quebec	Guardrails (Safety Code s.2.9.1, as amended by Decret 63-2025) are needed where a worker could fall into liquid or a hazardous substance, onto moving parts or dangerous equipment, 1.2 m or more when using a vehicle, 1.5 m or more when handling a load, and more than 3 m in all other cases.	CNESST (Commission des normes, de l'equite, de la sante et de la securite du travail)
Manitoba	A prime contractor is required whenever more than one employer or self employed person works on the site at the same time (Act s.7).	Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Branch
Saskatchewan	An occupational health committee is required at 10 or more workers of one employer (Act s.3-22).	Saskatchewan Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, OHS Division
Nova Scotia	Workers must be trained in fall protection before using it or working in, supervising or planning work in a fall protection area, with a refresher at least every 3 years (WHSR s.21.19).	Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, Safety Branch (OHS)
New Brunswick	Fall protection is needed from 3 m above water or the nearest permanent safe level (Reg 91-191 s.49(1)(a)(i)).	WorkSafeNB
Newfoundland and Labrador	Give written notice to the minister before starting a construction project that will last 30 days or more, with the site, location, type of work and number of workers (Regs s.8).	Government Services, Occupational Health and Safety Division
Prince Edward Island	Fall protection is needed from 3 m above the nearest safe surface or water (Fall Protection Regulations s.2(1)(a)).	Workers Compensation Board of PEI, OHS Division
Yukon	Every employer must do hazard assessments with the committee, representative or workers, and redo them after significant changes or incidents (Regs s.1.03.01).	Yukon Workers' Safety and Compensation Board
Northwest Territories	Fall protection is needed from 3 m, or lower if there is a risk of injury (s.119(1)). Guardrails are needed for falls of 1.2 m to 3 m at permanent work sites (s.119(2)).	Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC)
Nunavut	No 911. To reach the RCMP in an emergency, dial your community's first three digits then 1111 (Iqaluit: 979-1111). Put the local fire, ambulance and RCMP numbers on every FLHA.	Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC)

Questions

Do I need an FLHA for scaffold erection?

Who signs the FLHA?

The supervisor and every worker take part in the assessment and sign on before work starts, then sign off at the end of the shift. Review it and re-sign whenever the task or conditions change.

How long do I keep it?

Keep completed hazard assessments for at least 3 years (COR auditors sample the last 12 months). Review this FLHA and re-sign whenever the task, crew or conditions change.

What PPE is needed for scaffold erection?

Usually CSA green triangle safety boots (CSA Z195), Hard hat (CSA Z94.1), Full body harness (fall arrest), Work gloves, High-visibility vest (CSA Z96), Safety glasses (CSA Z94.3). The site rules may add more, so check with the general contractor.

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Blank FLHA template: free FLHA templates. Also for other countries: Australia (SWMS) · United Kingdom (RAMS) · United States (JHA)