Scaffold Safety

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Chapter : Scaffold Safety

Scaffold Safety

It is safe to assume that just about everybody has heard of a scaffolding accident or two.

In many of those cases, faulty design and inadequate construction of the scaffolding was involved but, in most case, scaffold accidents are caused by poor maintenance and improper use.

All employees that would need to utilize scaffolding must be trained by a qualified person to recognize the hazards associated with the type of scaffold being used and how to control or minimize those hazards. And only a competent person is responsible for overseeing the erection and dismantling of all Scaffolding as well as performing daily inspections of the scaffold.

The training must include: fall hazards, falling object hazards, electrical hazards, proper use of the scaffold, and handling of materials.

Scaffold inspection includes:

• Placement of scaffold relative to energized power lines.
• Verification that the correct scaffold is being used considering loads, materials, workers, and weather.
• Scaffold is structurally secure (framing, plank integrity, plank placement, guardrails, etc.)
• Scaffold has safe access.
• Scaffold placement from structure.

Additional requirements include:

• Provision of falling object protection.

  

  Scaffold Safety
  

• Hard hats.
• Use braces, tie-ins and guying as described by the scaffold’s manufacturer at each end.

If you regularly utilize scaffolding or plan to use scaffolding as a part of your job, please visit the following links for detailed requirements:

A scaffold is an elevated, temporary work platform. There are two basic types:

Supported scaffolds consist of one or more platforms supported by rigid, load- bearing members, such as poles, legs, frames, outriggers, etc. Other types of equipment, principally scissor lifts and aerial lifts, can be regarded as other types of supported scaffolds.

Suspended scaffolds are one or more platforms suspended by ropes or other non-rigid, overhead support.

To help keep your scaffolds safe, follow these simple procedures:

1. Ensure that the scaffold is built as per safety standards.
2. Inspect the scaffolds daily before using them; Check the guard rails, connectors,fastening, footing, tie-ins and bracing.
3. Ensure ladders are intact and secured.
4. Check for inspection tags ( Green or Red ) before using scaffold. Use them only if tagged green. Red or no tag means the scaffold is unsafe.
5. Keep platforms closely boarded, fenced and securely fastened.
6. Don’t stockpile materials on the scaffolds: remove all materials and tools at the end of the day.
7. Never overload scaffolds. Place the materials being used over ledger and bearer points to minimize platform loading.
8. Don’t work on scaffolds during storms or high winds.
9. Protect the scaffolds; don’t bump or strike against the scaffolds with vehicles or materials and control hoisted material from the ground with taglines.
10. Keep the platforms and area around the scaffold cleared of debris and unneeded equipment, material and other hazards that will cause a worker to trip or fall.
11. Use safety belts, and tie it off if you are working above 10 feet.