For building owners and managers in Ontario, ensuring the safety of personnel accessing rooftops is a primary concern. At Skyline Group, we’ve found that one of the most effective ways to mitigate rooftop safety risks is through the implementation of anti-slip walkways and rungs. In this brief guide for safety decision-makers, we explore these essential products; their compliance benefits under Ontario’s regulations and how our own solutions can help create a safer elevated working environment.
Fact: slip-and-fall incidents are among the leading causes of workplace injuries in Canada. Anti-slip walkways and rungs significantly reduce the likelihood of these incidents. Beyond meeting that essential objective, anti-slip solutions also help ensure compliance with Ontario’s stringent height safety regulations, preventing costly legal liabilities and fines.
But why are they so essential? Let’s take a look at the numbers to find out.
Slip & Fall Accidents in Canada: An Avoidable Risk
According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), over 42,000 workers are injured annually due to falls, with approximately 67% of these resulting from slips and trips on the same level. In British Columbia alone, nearly 41,000 workers suffered slip, trip, and fall injuries over a six-year period, leading to significant economic impacts, including 440,000 lost workdays and over $148 million in claim costs each year.
For your organization and your brand, the consequences of these accidents are significant. From a human perspective, the consequences can be tragic. Behind each and every one of these figures is a real story of loss and injury, underscoring the critical importance of proactive measures to prevent slip-and-fall accidents, particularly in environments like rooftops where the risk is elevated.
Anti-Slip Features: What Does the Law Say in Ontario?
Before we get into the details of these products, let’s take a closer look at what Ontario’s provincial regulations require from you as a property manager or owner. There are specific regulations relating to working at height, including requirements for safe access, fall protection, and slip prevention:
1. Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)
Under Ontario’s OHSA, employers are responsible for ensuring a safe work environment, including safe rooftop access. The law mandates that workers at height (above 3 meters) must be provided with fall protection.
2. Ontario’s Industrial Establishments Regulation (R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 851)
This regulation requires walkways, ramps and ladders to be slip-resistant and structurally sound. It also specifies that areas where workers may be exposed to fall hazards must have adequate safeguards, such as guardrails or covers over openings.
3. Building Code Act (O. Reg. 332/12)
This legislation stipulates that rooftop access systems must be designed to prevent falls and provide stable walking surfaces. It also includes provisions for guardrails, roof access ladders and secure anti-slip pathways.
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in heavy fines, work stoppages, and legal consequences. By implementing anti-slip walkways and rungs, building owners reduce liability, enhance compliance, and create a safer rooftop environment.
How Do Anti-Slip Walkways and Rungs Enhance Safety?
Anti-slip walkways and rungs serve as a vital line of defense against some of the most common safety risks we see here at Skyline Group. Their benefits are significant from a safety and compliance standpoint; from improved stability and traction to protection against weather conditions, boosting worker confidence and the long-term savings they often provide.
Let’s take a look at these core benefits in closer detail:
- Improved stability & traction: Rooftop surfaces are prone to moisture buildup, ice formation and debris accumulation, increasing the risk of slips. Anti-slip walkways provide a designated, stable pathway, reducing exposure to hazardous surfaces. Meanwhile, non-slip rungs on ladders ensure firm footing, reducing accidents when climbing.
- Protection against weather conditions: Ontario experiences harsh winters, heavy rainfall and rapid freeze-thaw cycles, creating extremely slippery rooftop conditions. Anti-slip solutions help mitigate ice buildup, which is a major slip hazard. They also mitigate the pooling of rainwater, which can create slick surfaces. Beyond these advantages, they also reduce the risk presented by fallen leaves and debris, which reduce traction.
- Compliance with Ontario safety regulations: Installing anti-slip walkways and rungs aligns with Ontario’s regulatory requirements, ensuring safe access and preventing workplace injuries. For more advice on Ontario’s regulatory requirements, our free resource on this subject is a must-read for property owners, managers and their maintenance teams.
- Increased worker confidence: A safer work environment enhances worker confidence, allowing maintenance teams to perform tasks efficiently without fear of slipping or falling. These products aren’t just a safety essential: they’re a productivity and efficiency bonus.
- Long-term cost savings: Preventing accidents reduces liability risks, potential workers’ compensation claims and operational downtime, saving thousands of dollars annually. Always remember that while safety is a moral and legal imperative, it also makes sense for your bottom line.
Skyline Group: A Look at Our Anti-Slip Walkways & Rungs
Skyline Group offers a range of solutions designed to meet Ontario’s rooftop safety requirements, ensuring maximum slip prevention and compliance:
- Highly durable, corrosion-resistant, and lightweight.
- Provides a clearly defined walking path, reducing the risk of slips.
- Designed for year-round use, ensuring safe rooftop access in all seasons.
- Equipped with serrated rungs for enhanced grip.
- Constructed from durable aluminum, resistant to corrosion.
- Available with lifeline attachments, ensuring additional fall protection.
- Provides a secure barrier without damaging the roof membrane.
- Ideal for protecting workers around rooftop edges and openings.
- Meets Ontario’s OHSA fall protection standards.
Skyline Group: Elevated Safety, The Trusted Choice
Don’t wait for an accident to highlight safety gaps – upgrade your rooftop access with anti-slip walkways and rungs today. Schedule a consultation with Skyline Group to assess your needs and explore compliant, high-quality safety solutions.
