Reference Manual Sets A New Standard

Since the early 90s OSM has been working on creating a Cladding and Decking Reference Manual.  At that time the SMART Think initiative, a national body in which OSM played a role, recommended that the sheet metal sector of the construction industry would benefit from the creation of a comprehensive manual.  Such a document, the committee reasoned, would set out a recognized standard, bringing uniformity to the skills and practices used in sheeting and decking.  It would also provide base content, setting the groundwork for developing a training program, thus addressing a neglected area in the sheeting and decking sector.

Working with assistance from the Construction Sector Council and Human Resources Development Canada, OSM has produced an official Cladding and Decking Reference Manual. Currently, the manual is available in English only.  A French language version will follow shortly.  

The purpose of the 12-part manual is to provide a working framework of installation procedures and related data designed to set out a foundation for specific local training.  It contains relevant terms and established procedures from which lesson plans could be built to train cladding and decking installers and those manufacturing parts.  Central to the task of compiling the manual were two groups, the Canadian Sheet Steel Building Institute and the Construction Safety Association of Ontario, who provided invaluable expertise.

The manual, through the number and calibre of industry partners who joined forces to produce it, is truly symbolic of the cladding & decking motto: “Promoting excellence through partnerships.”  Proudly referred to by its authors as the ‘new bible of sheeting and decking’, it is poised to address the evolving needs of sheeting and decking, promising safe, skilled and dedicated workers to meet the demands of tomorrow.