SCAFFOLDING - Safety - Environmental & Safety

Scaffolds are supported usually by posts/beams and legs, or suspended by ropes. OSHA says a scaffold must be designed by a qualified person. Supported scaffolds must be able to support their own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load.

• The employer must have a qualified person provide safety training for each worker who uses a scaffold. A competent person must give safety training to any worker who assembles, takes apart, moves, operates, repairs, maintains, or inspects scaffolds.
• If the worksite changes or the type of scaffold or safety equipment changes, workers using scaffolds must be retrained.

DVD and VHS Training Materials:

Scaffolding Safety Training Courses

Scaffold means any temporary elevated platform (supported or suspended) and its supporting structure (including points of anchorage), used for supporting employees or materials or both.

Capacity

Scaffolds must be able to support its own weight and 4X the maximum intended load and must be designed by a qualified person.

Platforms

Platforms must be fully planked with no more than 1-inch gaps, they must be at least 18-inches wide, guardrails mid-rails and toe boards around all platforms.

Employees are prohibited from working on scaffolds covered with snow, ice, and accumulated debris except to remove the hazards. Working from scaffolds is prohibited during storms or high winds.

Access to Scaffolds

Access to scaffold platforms more than two feet above or below the point of access must be made by portable/attachable ladders, ramps or stair towers. Employees are strictly forbidden under the OSHA standard to use crossbraces to climb the scaffold.

Falling Object Protection

Employees working on scaffolds must wear hardhats and if there is a potential for falling hand tools, debris, and other objects from higher work levels, then the employees must be protected through the installation of screens, debris nets or canopy structures.

The fall zone under scaffolding must be delineated with barricades or caution tape to protect employees working below scaffolds.

Electrocution

Scaffolds must not be erected, used, dismantled, altered, or moved so that they, or any conductive material handled on them, might come closer than 10 feet to energized overhead power lines.

Scaffolding Safety

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions when erecting the scaffold.
• Do not work on scaffolds outside during stormy or windy weather.
• Do not climb on scaffolds that wobble or lean to one side.
• Initially inspect the scaffold prior to mounting it. Do not use a scaffold if any pulley, block, hook or fitting is visibly worn, cracked, rusted or otherwise damaged.
• Do not use a scaffold if any rope is frayed, torn or visibly damaged.
• Do not use any scaffold tagged "Out of Service".
• Do not use unstable objects such as barrels, boxes, loose brick or concrete blocks to support scaffolds or planks.
• Do not work on platforms or scaffolds unless they are fully planked.
• Do not use a scaffold unless guardrails and all flooring are in place.
• Level the scaffold after each move. Do not extend adjusting leg screws more than 12 inches.
• Do not walk or work beneath a scaffold unless a wire mesh has been installed between the midrail and the toeboard or planking.
• Use your safety belts and lanyards when working on scaffolding at a height of 10 feet or more above ground level. Attach the lanyard to a secure member of the scaffold.
• Do not climb the cross braces for access to the scaffold. Use the ladder.
• Do not jump from, to, or between scaffolding.
• Do not slide down cables, ropes or guys used for bracing.
• Keep both feet on the decking. Do not sit or climb on the guardrails.
• Do not lean out from the scaffold. Do not rock the scaffold.
• Keep the scaffold free of scraps, loose tools, tangled lines and other obstructions.
• Do not throw anything "overboard" unless a spotter is available. Use the debris chutes or lower things by hoist or by hand.
• Do not move a mobile scaffold if anyone is on the scaffold.
• Chock the wheels of the rolling scaffold, using the wheel blocks, and also lock the wheels by using your foot to depress the wheel-lock, before using the scaffold.

Scaffolding should be used if solid footing or a safe ladder is not available. Caster brakes should be set before an employee gets on a scaffold. If no brakes are available, another employee should be in position to secure the scaffold.

Scaffolding shall be secured at intervals of 15 feet to a solid support. Securing will be by wire, cable, chain or rope.

Ladders, boxes, etc. should not be set on scafolds to increase working heights.

Scaffolds should not be moved with employee(s) or materials on the scaffold. Scaffolding shall not be moved until its height is reduced below 15 feet. Sufficient help shall be used to move the scaffold. A "watcher" shall be posted to watch for overhead obstructions as well as holes, etc., at ground level.

Guard rails and toe boards are required on any scaffold over five feet high.

Flooring shall be solid from side-to-side and secured in place with cleats.

It is your responsibility to keep all tools and materials away form the edges of the scaffold and paltform openings.

Scaffolding over 50 feet high shall be inspected by the Environmental Health & Safety Department. More...