CSA B335-15 – What It Means for Pallet Walkie Operators?

CSA B335-15 is the Canadian safety standard that outlines safety trainings, evaluation, and safe operation requirements for powered industrial trucks, including pallet walkies, forklifts and powered pallet jacks.

In Ontario workplaces, CSA B335-15 is widely recognized as the benchmark standard used to demonstrate operator competency and employer due diligence under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

What Is CSA B335-15?

CSA B335-15 – Safety Standard for Lift Trucks is published by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). It provides structured guidance on:

• Operator training and evaluation

• Safe operation of powered lift trucks

• Equipment inspections and maintenance

• Read moreWorkplace Accident Reporting: How It Protects Workers & Employers?

  Employer and worker responsibilities

While CSA standards are not laws, they are commonly used by Ontario Ministry of Labour inspectors to assess whether an employer has taken reasonable safety precautions.

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Does CSA B335-15 Apply to Pallet Walkies?

Yes.

CSA B335-15 applies to powered industrial trucks, which includes:

• Walk-behind pallet walkies

• Walkie rider pallet trucks

• Read moreOntario Confined Space Entry Compliance Checklist & Requirements

  Powered pallet jacks

• Other non-elevating powered lift equipment

Because pallet walkies are motorized and pose similar risks to larger lift trucks, they fall within the scope of the standard’s training and competency requirements.

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Why CSA B335-15 Matters for Pallet Walkie Operators

CSA B335-15 establishes a clear expectation that operators must be:

• Trained

• Evaluated

• Read moreWhat Is a Pallet Walkie? Types, Uses & Workplace Hazards

  Demonstrated as competent

• Supervised when required

This goes beyond basic instruction or job shadowing. Operators must understand:

• Equipment limitations

• Workplace hazards

• Safe operating procedures

• Emergency response actions

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Training Requirements Under CSA B335-15

The standard outlines a two-part training approach:

1. Theoretical Instruction

Covers:

• Equipment fundamentals

• Workplace hazards

• Load stability principles

• Operator responsibilities

• Applicable safety rules

2. Practical Evaluation

Requires:

• Hands-on operation of the pallet walkie

• Demonstration of safe maneuvering

• Load handling and control

• Pre-use inspection performance

Operators must be evaluated on the specific equipment type they will use.

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Equipment-Specific Training Requirement

CSA B335-15 emphasizes that training is not transferable by default.

This means:

• Forklift training does not automatically qualify someone to operate a pallet walkie

• Walkie rider units require different controls and techniques than walk-behind units

• Each powered truck type requires separate evaluation

This is a critical compliance point often missed by employers.

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Employer Responsibilities Under CSA B335-15

Employers are expected to:

• Ensure operators receive appropriate training

• Maintain training and evaluation records

• Reassess operators when conditions change

• Address unsafe operation immediately

• Provide supervision where necessary

These responsibilities align closely with OHSA Section 25, which requires employers to take every reasonable precaution for worker safety.

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When Is Refresher Training Required?

CSA B335-15 supports refresher training when:

• An operator is involved in an incident or near-miss

• Workplace conditions or layouts change

• New equipment is introduced

• Unsafe behavior is observed

• Time has passed since last evaluation

Refresher training is part of maintaining ongoing competency, not just initial certification.

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CSA B335-15 and Ontario Workplace Inspections

During Ministry of Labour inspections, employers may be asked to show:

• Proof of pallet walkie operator training

• Evidence of practical evaluation

• Records tied to CSA-based training frameworks

• Policies addressing powered equipment safety

Aligning training programs with CSA B335-15 helps demonstrate due diligence and reduce enforcement risk.

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Key Takeaway

CSA B335-15 provides the recognized safety framework for pallet walkie operation in Ontario. It clarifies that pallet walkie operators must be trained, evaluated, and competent, not simply familiar with the equipment.

Understanding this standard explains why formal pallet walkie training in ontario is required and why informal instruction is not sufficient in regulated workplaces.