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Incidents involving forklifts and other powered mobile equipment are a leading cause of workplace injuries. And while all jurisdictions require employers to deploy signallers to direct PME operators, the rules vary significantly from place to place. Here’s a summary of the PME signaller rules in each part of Canada
| FEDERAL | |
| Signaller Required | *When PME operator has obstructed view *When rear-dumping PME used to discharge loads at edge of sudden drop in grade level (unless bumping block is used to keep the PME from tipping) *At approaches to areas in which materials handling operations take place (unless warning signs are posted) |
| Signaller Duties | *Not perform other duties while signalling operator *Ensure nearby workers are safe or warned before signalling operator to move |
| Other Requirements | Employer must: *Establish uniform code of signals for use at all its workplaces *Provide radio, phone or other audible signalling device if visual signals can’t be clearly seen Operator must obey signals + treat any signal they don’t understand as STOP |
| ALBERTA | |
| Signaller Required | When PME operator has obstructed view (unless PME has audible warning device or automatic stopping system) |
| Signaller Duties | *Wear a highly visible vest, armlet or other clothing clearly identifying worker as designated signaller when giving hand signals *Ensure he/she has unobstructed view *Ensure there are no hazards in vicinity before signalling operator to move |
| Other Requirements | Employer must: *Designate competent worker as signaller *Provide the required highly visible vest, armlet or other clothing clearly identifying worker as designated signaller *Ensure only one designated signaller gives signals to PME operator at a time + that alternative workers are available *Provide communication equipment in case visual signalling won’t be effective Operator must: *Obey all designated signaller’s signals *Obey all STOP signals even if person who gives them isn’t a designated signaller |
| BRITISH COLUMBIA | |
| Signaller Required | When PME operator has obstructed view (unless directed by a traffic control or warning system) |
| Signaller Duties | Be stationed in safe position in continuous view of operator + with unobstructed view of area into which PME will move |
| Other Requirements | |
| MANITOBA | |
| Signaller Required | *At a construction site where PME moves in reverse or in a way that may endanger the operator or another worker in the vicinity *At any workplace where work is done: (i) within 3 metres of an overhead electrical line; or (ii) using equipment or machinery from a location from which it, or any of its parts, may come within 3 m of an overhead electrical line |
| Signaller Duties | *Have a clear view of operator + intended path of travel *Direct operator using: (i) pre-arranged visual signals; or (ii) a radio communication system, if visual signals won’t be clearly visible to the operator |
| Other Requirements | Employer must: *Designate competent worker to serve as signal person *Provide the required radio communication system, if visual signals won’t be clearly visible to the operator |
| NEW BRUNSWICK | |
| Signaller Required | When PME operators are backing up + can’t clearly see where they’re going |
| Signaller Duties | |
| Other Requirements | Operator may not back up equipment until getting the go-ahead from the signaller |
| NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR | |
| Signaller Required | When PME operator has obstructed view (unless directed by a traffic control or warning system) |
| Signaller Duties | *Be stationed in a safe spot in continuous view of operator *Have an unobstructed of area into which the PME will travel *Not be “otherwise occupied” while the PME is in motion |
| Other Requirements | |
| NOVA SCOTIA | |
| Signaller Required | When PME operator: *Doesn’t have an adequate view of the load; or *Doesn’t have a clear view of the route; or *Can’t see clearly around the equipment when it’s moving + hasn’t ensured nobody is endangered as a result; or *Causes the equipment to move under its own power from one location to another + the situation creates a hazard |
| Signaller Duties | *Be readily identifiable to the operator *Use a well understood distinctive code of hand signals or another effective communication system *Get help from another signaller if both his/her own + the operator’s view of the load or route is obstructed or partly obstructed |
| Other Requirements | Operator may not move a load except at the signaller’s signal |
| NORTHWEST TERRITORIES/NUNAVUT | |
| Signaller Required | When PME operator has obstructed view of the route |
| Signaller Duties | Have a clear view of the PME’s path of travel |
| Other Requirements | Operator may not proceed until a worker gives the signal that it’s safe |
| ONTARIO (Const. Projects) | |
| Signaller Required | When: (i) PME operator has obstructed view of the route; or (ii) the equipment or its load may endanger another person |
| Signaller Duties | *Jointly establish visible signals with operator *Communicate via telecommunication if visual signals aren’t clearly visible to operator *Not do other work while acting as signaller *Wear appropriate high-visibility safety apparel(1) *Be clear of + have a clear view of intended path of travel of PME or its load *Be in full view of operator |
| Other Requirements | Employer must: *Appoint a competent worker to serve as signaller *Furnish required telecommunication system + high-visibility safety apparel *Ensure signaller gets adequate oral training *Ensure signaller gets adequate oral + written instructions + keep copy of the instructions at site Operator must jointly establish visible signals with signaller + obey the signals |
| ONTARIO (Ind. Ests.) | |
| Signaller Required | When operator doesn’t have full view of intended path of travel of PME or its load |
| Signaller Duties | *Be clear of + have a clear view of intended path of travel of PME or its load *Be in full view of operator |
| Other Requirements | Employer must appoint a competent worker to serve as signaller | PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND |
| Signaller Required | When PME operator’s vision is obstructed |
| Signaller Duties | Mutually agree with operator on signals |
| Other Requirements | *Employer must designate employee to give signals *Operator must mutually agree with designated employee on signals + obey the signals |
| QUBEC | |
| Signaller Required | When a self-propelled vehicle moving in reverse at a construction site would endanger the operator or a worker |
| Signaller Duties | *Use bidirectional means of telecommunications to guide operator. Exception: Hand signals OK if vehicle backs up < 10 metres Signallers designated site signal persons must also: *Receive specialized training(2) *Wear fluorescent yellow-green high-visibility safety apparel of Class 2 or 3 + Level 2 that meets CSA Z96 *Use a communication method taught to them during training *Remain visible to operators + clear of the vehicle’s trajectory |
| Other Requirements | Principal contractor of construction site must: * Appoint signal person *Furnish the necessary telecommunications equipment for vehicle backup maneuvers *If the signal person serves as site signal person: i. Establish the required traffic plan for the site; ii. Furnish the required signal person training; + iii. Furnish the required high-visibility safety apparel |
| SASKATCHEWAN | |
| Signaller Required | When PME operator has obstructed view of the route |
| Signaller Duties | Have a clear view of the PME’s path of travel |
| Other Requirements | Operator may not proceed until a worker gives the signal that it’s safe |
| YUKON | |
| Signaller Required | When PME operator can’t see immediately behind the machine, either directly or by use of mirrors or other device + it’s not practicable for machine to have an automatic audible warning device |
| Signaller Duties | Be stationed in a safe position in continuous view of operator + an unobstructed view of area into which PME will move |
| Other Requirements | Operator may not proceed until a signaller is in place + gives the signal |
Notes:
(1) In Ontario, the signaller must wear an appropriate garment covering the upper body: i. of fluorescent blaze or international orange; and which has ii. two 5 cm-wide retroreflective + fluorescent yellow stripes with area of at least 500 cm sq on front + 570 cm sq on back; iii. front stripes centered + arranged vertically roughly 225 mm apart + in an “X” pattern in back; iv. an adjustable fit if it’s a vest; and v. a side + front tear-away feature if it’s a nylon vest; in addition, signallers who may be endangered during night-time hours must also wear retro-reflective silver stripes encircling each arm + leg, or equivalent side visibility-enhancing stripes with a minimum area of 50 cm sq per side
(2) In Qubec, persons designated to act as site signal persons must receive training, provided by an instructor, that covers: i. the risks created by the movement of persons + self-propelled vehicles at the site; ii. the traffic rules + safety instructions in place at the site, including those provided for in the traffic plan, marking of traffic zones + instructions necessary to perform their task; iii. the required equipment such as high-visibility safety apparel + bidirectional means of telecommunications; iv. the signal person’s role and responsibilities; v. the positioning of site signal persons + blind spots of self-propelled vehicles; + vi. the means of communication + code of hand signals related to backup maneuvers.
