Alert First Aid

Saskatchewan Legislation

Saskatchewan Lockout

This material has been extracted from the Acts and Regulations of the Province to help students understand the subject. It is not an official source of information and must not be use for any other purpose.
The following is Copyright©2009 The Queen’s Printer, Saskatchewan
The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996


PART X
Machine Safety
Operation by workers
134(1) An employer or contractor shall ensure that:
(a) machines are operated only by a competent worker; and
(b) workers are informed of any risk associated with, and trained in the safe
use of, the machines.
(2) Before starting a machine, an operator shall ensure that neither the operator
nor any other worker will be endangered by starting the machine.
(3) Where a worker or a worker’s clothing may contact a moving part of a machine,
an employer or contractor shall ensure that the worker:
(a) wears close-fitting clothing;
(b) confines or cuts short any head and facial hair; and
(c) does not wear dangling neckwear or jewellery, rings or other similar
items.
4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s134.

Operating controls
135(1) Where reasonably practicable, an employer, contractor or supplier shall
ensure that operating controls on machines:
(a) are located within easy reach of the operator; and
(b) cannot be activated by accidental contact.
(2) Where reasonably practicable, an employer, contractor or supplier shall
ensure that stopping devices on machines are:
(a) located in the direct view and within easy reach of the operator; and
(b) readily identifiable.
(3) Where a worker is required to feed material into a material-forming press,
punch, shear or similar machine, an employer, contractor or supplier shall:
(a) where practicable, install a positive means to prevent the activation of
the machine while any part of the worker’s body could be injured by moving
parts of the machine; or
(b) where it is not practicable to comply with clause (a), install safeguards to
prevent the worker from contacting a moving part of the machine.
4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s135.

Unattended and suspended machines
136(1) An employer or contractor shall not require or permit a worker to leave
unattended or in a suspended position any machine or any part of a machine unless
the machine or part has been:
(a) immobilized and secured against accidental movement; or
(b) enclosed by a safeguard to prevent access by any other worker to the
machine or part.
(2) A worker shall not leave unattended or in a suspended position any machine or any part of a machine unless the machine or part has been:
(a) immobilized and secured against accidental movement; or
(b) enclosed by a safeguard to prevent access by any other worker to the
machine or part.
4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s136.

Safeguards
137(1) Except where otherwise provided by these regulations, an employer or
contractor shall provide an effective safeguard where a worker may contact:
(a) a dangerous moving part of a machine;
(b) a pinch point, cutting edge or point of a machine at which material is cut,
shaped, bored or formed;
(c) an open flame;
(d) a steam pipe or other surface with a temperature that exceeds or may
exceed 80° Celsius; or
(e) a cooled surface that is or may be less than minus 80° Celsius.
(2) An employer or contractor shall ensure that a safeguard required by subsection
(1) remains in place at all times.
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to:
(a) a machine that is equipped with an effective safety device that stops the
machine automatically before any part of a worker’s body comes into contact
with a hazard mentioned in clause (1)(a) or (b); or
(b) a belt, rope or chain that is operated from a cathead or capstan.
(4) An employer or contractor shall ensure that a safeguard that is removed from
a machine or made ineffective to permit maintenance, testing, repair or adjustment of a machine is replaced or made effective before a worker is required or permitted to use the machine.
(5) Where there is a possibility of machine failure and of injury to a worker
resulting from the failure, an employer or contractor shall install safeguards that
are strong enough to withstand the impact of debris from the machine failure and to contain any debris resulting from the failure.
4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s137.

Warning systems
138(1) Where the circumstances described in subsection (2) exist, an employer or contractor shall install:
(a) an audible alarm system that provides a warning of sufficient volume
and for a sufficient period before start-up of the machine to give workers
timely notice of the imminent start-up; or
(b) a distinctive and conspicuous visual warning system to alert workers of
the imminent start-up of the machine.
(2) Subsection (1) applies where:
(a) a worker may be endangered by moving machine parts when a machine
is started; and
(b) the operator of the machine does not have a clear view from the operating
position of all parts of the machine and of the surrounding area in which there
is a potential danger.
(3) An employer or contractor shall place adequate, appropriate and clearly visible warning signs at each point of access to a machine that starts automatically.
4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s138.

Locking out
139(1) Subject to section 140, before a worker undertakes the maintenance,
repair, test or adjustment of a machine other than a power tool, an employer or
contractor shall ensure that the machine is locked out and remains locked out
during that activity if not doing so would put the worker at risk.
(2) Before a worker undertakes the maintenance, repair, test or adjustment of a
power tool, an employer or contractor shall ensure that the energy source has been isolated from the power tool, any residual energy in the power tool has been dissipated and the energy source remains isolated during that activity.
(3) An employer or contractor shall:
(a) provide a written lock-out process to each worker who is required to work
on a machine to which subsection (1) applies; and
(b) where the lockout process uses a lock and key, issue to that worker a lock
that is operable only by that worker’s key and a duplicate key.
(4) Where the lockout process does not use a lock and key, an employer or
contractor shall designate a person to co-ordinate and control the lockout process.
(5) Where the lockout process uses a lock and key, an employer or contractor shall designate a person to keep the duplicate key mentioned in clause (3)(b) and ensure that:
(a) the duplicate key is accessible only to the designated person; and
(b) a log book is kept to record the use of the duplicate key and the reasons
for that use.
(6) Where it is not practicable to use a worker’s key to remove a lock, an employer or contractor may permit the person designated pursuant to subsection (5) to remove the lock if the designated person:
(a) has determined the reason that the worker’s key is not available;
(b) has determined that it is safe to remove the lock and activate the
machine; and
(c) if a committee or representative is in place, has informed the
co-chairpersons or the representative of the proposed use of the duplicate key
before it is used.
(7) An employer or contractor shall ensure that a designated person who is
permitted to use a duplicate key pursuant to subsection (6):
(a) records in the log book the use of the duplicate key, the reason for its use
and the date of its use; and
(b) signs the log book each time that the duplicate key is used.
(8) Where a central automated system controls more than one machine, an
employer or contractor shall ensure that the machine to be maintained, repaired,
tested or adjusted is isolated from the central system before the lock-out procedures required by subsection (3) are implemented.
(9) Before undertaking any maintenance, repairs, tests or adjustments to a
machine to which subsection (1) applies, a worker shall lock out the machine
following the process mentioned in clause (3)(a).
(10) After a lock-out device has been installed or a lockout process has been
initiated, the worker who installed the first lock or initiated the process shall check
the machine to ensure that the machine is inoperative.
(11) No person shall deactivate a lockout process that does not use a lock and key except the person designated pursuant to subsection (4).
(12) No person shall remove a lock-out device except the worker who installed the lock-out device or the designated person acting in accordance with subsection (6).
4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s139.

Cleaning, etc., of machine or other equipment in motion
140(1) This section applies where any of the following requires cleaning,
lubrication or adjustment while all or any part of a machine or other piece of
equipment is in motion or under power:
(a) the machine or other piece of equipment;
(b) a part of the machine or of the piece of other equipment; or
(c) any material on the machine or on the piece of equipment.
(2) In the circumstances mentioned in subsection (1), an employer or contractor
shall:
(a) develop and implement written work practices and procedures that
ensure that the cleaning, lubrication or adjustment is carried out in a safe
manner;
(b) ensure that workers who are required to perform the cleaning, lubrication
or adjustment are trained in the written work practices and procedures
mentioned in clause (a); and
(c) ensure that a copy of the written work practices and procedures
mentioned in clause (a) is readily available for reference by workers.
10 Aug 2007 SR 67/2007 s14.

Belts
141(1) An employer or contractor shall ensure that a permanent belt shifter is:
(a) provided for all loose pulleys on any machine; and
(b) constructed so that the belt cannot creep back on to the tight pulley.
(2) An employer or contractor shall ensure that a worker does not shift a belt on a
machine by hand while the belt is in motion.
4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s141.
Air-actuated fastening tools
142 An employer or contractor shall ensure that a worker does not hold the trigger of an air-actuated fastening tool mechanically in the operating position unless the tool is specifically designed to be used in that manner.
4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s142.

Explosive-actuated fastening tools
143(1) In this section, “explosive-actuated fastening tool” means a machine
that propels or discharges, by means of an explosive force, a fastening device to
attach the fastening device on, affix the fastening device to or cause the fastening device to penetrate another object or material.
(2) An employer or contractor shall ensure that a worker who operates explosive- actuated fastening tool systems is trained in and uses safe work procedures for any explosive-actuated fastening tool that the worker may operate, including:
(a) the selection of the appropriate tool, accessories, fastener and power load
for each application;
(b) the limitations of each type of tool, fastener and power load; and
(c) the maintenance, inspection and use of the tool.
(3) An employer or contractor shall ensure that a worker who operates an
explosive-actuated fastening tool:
(a) does not leave the tool or explosive charges unattended;
(b) stores the tool and explosive charges in a locked container when not in
use; and
(c) uses an industrial eye or face protector that meets the requirements of
Part VII.
4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s143.

Airless spray units
144 Where a worker is required or permitted to use an airless spray unit that is
capable of operating at a pressure greater than seven megapascals, an employer or contractor shall ensure that:
(a) the gun, the reservoir and the pump are bonded to ground with a single
continuous approved bonding conductor; and
(b) the gun is fitted with suitable tip and trigger guards.
4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s144.

Grinding machines
145(1) An employer or contractor shall ensure that:
(a) no abrasive wheel is operated:
(i) unless it is equipped with blotters installed according to the
manufacturer’s recommendations and a safeguard; or
(ii) at a speed in excess of the manufacturer’s recommendations;
(b) the maximum speed of each grinder shaft in revolutions per minute is
permanently marked on the grinder; and
(c) the mounting flanges for an abrasive wheel have an equal and correct
diameter for the wheel.
(2) Where a tool rest is installed on a fixed grinder, an employer or contractor shall ensure that the tool rest is:
(a) installed in a manner that is compatible with the work process;
(b) securely attached to the grinder; and
(c) set not more than three millimetres from the face of the wheel or below
the horizontal centre line of the wheel.
(3) An employer or contractor shall not require or permit a worker to use the sides of an abrasive wheel for grinding unless the abrasive wheel is designed for that use.
(4) An employer or contractor shall ensure that a worker who operates a grinder:
(a) is provided with and uses the following personal protective equipment
that meets the requirements of Part VII:
(i) an industrial eye or face protector;
(ii) hand or arm protection; and
(b) is instructed in the potential hazards and safe use of the grinder.
4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s145.

Chain saws
146(1) An employer, contractor or supplier shall ensure that a chain saw is:
(a) equipped with an effective chain brake or a chain and bar that is
designed to minimize the possibility of a kickback; and
(b) designed and constructed so that the chain stops when the engine is at
idle.
(2) Where a chain saw is to be used by a worker operating from an elevated cage or basket, the width of which is less than twice the length of the chain saw, an employer or contractor shall ensure that a secondary platform is installed outside the cage or basket and is used to store the chain saw and to start the chain saw engine.
(3) An employer or contractor shall ensure that a worker who operates a chain
saw:
(a) stops the chain while the worker is walking with the saw;
(b) does not operate the saw at a height that is higher than the worker’s
shoulder level;
(c) holds the saw firmly in both hands while operating the saw; and
(d) maintains the chain saw, cutting chain and safeguards in safe operating
condition.
(4) A worker who operates a chain saw:
(a) shall stop the chain while the worker is walking with the saw;
(b) shall not operate the saw at a height that is higher than the worker’s
shoulder level;
(c) shall hold the saw firmly in both hands while operating the saw;
(d) shall maintain the chain saw, cutting chain and safeguards in safe
operating condition; and
(e) shall maintain the chain saw so that the chain stops when the engine is
at idle.
4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s146.

Circular saws
147(1) Subject to subsection (2), where a circular saw blade develops a crack in
the outside diameter of the saw blade, an employer or contractor shall ensure that the blade is discarded unless:
(a) the blade is effectively repaired by a competent person; and
(b) the original blade tension is restored.
(2) An employer or contractor shall ensure that a circular saw blade that develops
a crack from the eye or the collar is discarded.
(3) An employer, contractor or supplier shall ensure that a portable hand-operated circular saw is equipped with a safeguard that will automatically cover the exposed part of the blade during use and the entire blade when the saw is not in use.
4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s147.

Power-fed circular saws
148(1) An employer, contractor or supplier shall ensure that a power-fed circular
rip saw with horizontal, power-driven feed rolls is equipped with a sectional nonkickback device located in front of the saw blade and across the full width of the rolls.
(2) An employer, contractor or supplier shall ensure that a power-fed circular rip
saw:
(a) is equipped with a splitter that extends to the height of the top of the saw
blade; and
(b) has a saw blade that is equipped with a safeguard or located so that a
worker cannot reach it.
4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s148.

Band-saws
149(1) Where a band-saw blade develops a crack the depth of which is more
than 5% of the width of the saw blade, an employer or contractor shall ensure that the blade is discarded unless:
(a) the width of the blade is reduced so as to eliminate the crack; or
(b) the cracked section is repaired by a competent person.
(2) An employer, contractor or supplier shall ensure that a band-saw has an
automatic tension control device.
4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s149.

Cut-off saws
150 An employer, contractor or supplier shall ensure that:
(a) a hand-operated, sliding or swing cut-off saw is equipped with a device
that will return the saw automatically to the back of the table when the saw is
released at any point in the saw’s travel; and
(b) a limit device is installed on a swing or sliding cut-off saw to prevent the
saw from travelling beyond the outside edge of the cutting table.
4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s150.

Pushblocks and pushsticks
151(1) In this section:
(a) “pushblock” means a short block of wood with a shoulder at the rear
that is provided with a suitable handle that will engage with the shoulder;
(b) “pushstick” means a narrow strip of wood or other suitable material
with a notch cut into one end.
(2) An employer or contractor shall ensure that a worker uses a pushstick or
pushblock to feed wood or other material into any machine that is used for cutting
or shaping the wood or other material.
4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s151.

Hand-fed planers and joiners
152(1) An employer or contractor shall ensure that a hand-fed planer or joiner is
operated at a height that is suitable for the worker who operates it.
(2) An employer, contractor or supplier shall ensure that a hand-fed planer or
joiner with a horizontal cutting head has an automatic safeguard that will cover all
sections of the head on the working side of the safeguard when material is not being cut.
4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s152.

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