Why should we follow the requirement of the CSA standard to design and build formwork in Canada?
Each province and territory in Canada has the legal authority to regulate building construction within its jurisdiction. They adopt the National Building Code (NBC) either in whole or in part and may modify it to address local conditions, preferences, or priorities. Once a province or territory formally adopts the NBC, the code becomes legally enforceable within that jurisdiction. This process allows for a balance between maintaining national standards for safety and construction while also accommodating regional variations.
The National Building Code of Canada (NBC) contains the following clause regarding formwork and falsework design
Part 4, Section 4.1 – Structural Loads and Procedures
4.1.1.3 – Design Requirements
4) Falsework, scaffolding, and formwork shall be designed in conformance with
a) CSA S269.1,“Falsework and formwork,”
b) CSAS269.2,“Access scaffolding for construction purposes,” or
c) CAN/CSA-S269.3-M,“Concrete Formwork.”
Additionally, several provincial occupational health and safety regulatory bodies mandate compliance with CSA S269.1 or implicitly refers to it (“in accordance with good engineering practice”). This endorsement reinforces the importance of adhering to CSA S269.1, as it provides a standardized framework recognized across the country, helping to ensure consistency in design approaches and upholding the highest standards of safety and quality in Canadian construction projects.
The table below expend on every provincial OHS regulation regarding formwork and falsework design and inspection.
| Canadian Provinces | OHS Regulation |
|---|---|
| Alberta | Part 23: Scaffolds and Temporary Work Platforms The code has no section on formwork or falsework. Part 23 is the section of the code must relate to temporary structure. |
| British Columbia | Section 20.16 to 20.26: Concrete Falsework and Formwork … a professional engineer must certify that worksite-specific plans, and any changes to worksite-specific plans, meet the requirements of (a) CSA Standard S269.1-16, Falsework and formwork … |
| Manitoba | Section 29.4: Falsework and Flyforms Design of falsework 29.4(1) An employer must ensure that falsework is (a) designed and certified by a professional engineer and constructed, installed, used, maintained and dismantled in accordance with the professional engineer’s specifications; or (b) designed, constructed, installed, used, maintained and dismantled in accordance with CSA Standard S269.1-1975 (R2003), Falsework for Construction Purposes. … |
| New Brunswick | Section 94: Formwork and Shoring 94.1(2) An employer shall ensure that formwork and shoring are designed by an engineer and are erected in accordance with design drawings prepared by the engineer. … |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Part XVII: Construction, Excavation and Demolition 385. Immediately before the placement of concrete or other loading, an employer shall ensure that the concrete formwork and falsework is inspected by a qualified person. … |
| Nova Scotia | Part 13: Premises and Building Safety, Construction and Demolition 154 (4) An employer shall ensure that any bracing or shoring referred to in this Section complies with the latest version of CSA standard CSA S.269.1, “Falsework for Construction Purposes.” … |
| Ontario | Section 87 to 92: Forms, Formwork, Falsework and Re-shoring 87.(3) The allowable working load of the formwork, falsework or re-shoring shall be established, (a) by an engineer in accordance with good engineering practice; or … |
| Prince Edward Island | Part 19: Formwork 19.1(1) Every employer shall ensure that (a) every structure and every part of a structure for the purpose of forming concrete shall be designed, constructed, supported and braced to safely withstand all loads likely to be applied to it before, during and after the placing of concrete; … |
| Quebec | Division VI: Shoring of Concrete Formwork 6.2.1 Before commencing concreting work, the employer shall: (a) obtain from an engineer: i. a signed and sealed declaration attesting that the work complies with all the points in the shoring drawing filed; and ii. the authorization to proceed with the concreting work; … |
| Saskatchewan | Part 12: Scaffolds, Aerial Devices, Elevating Work Platforms and Temporary Supporting Structures 12‑28(1): An employer or contractor shall ensure that a temporary supporting structure is designed and constructed to withstand safely all loads that the structure is intended, or may reasonably be anticipated, to support. … |