Scaffold - Safe Measures To Reduce Accidents

www.safetygoodwe.com

Chapter : Scaffold Safety

Scaffold - Safe Measures To Reduce Accidents

 
When scaffolds are not erected or used properly, fall hazards can occur. Throughout the world several thousands of  construction workers frequently work on scaffolds every day. Protecting these workers from scaffold-related accidents would prevent many workers getting injured or fatal each year.

 

Take these steps to help protect workers and reduce accidents:

1. Follow industry guidelines for erecting scaffolds: verify that each scaffold and its components is capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least four times the maximum intended load.
2. Inspect scaffolds daily before use; check footing, guard rails, connectors, fastening, tie-ins and bracing.
3. Do not use unstable objects such as barrels, boxes, loose bricks, or concrete blocks to support scaffolds or planks.
4. Fully plank platforms on all working levels.
5. Install guardrails and toe-boards on all open sides and ends of platforms on scaffolding over 10 feet above floor or ground.
6. If a scaffold is more than two feet above or below a level, provide adequate access, such as a ramp, ladder, or steps.
7. Do not erect, use, dismantle, alter or move scaffolds so they, or any conductive material handled on them, might come closer than 10 feet to energized overhead power lines.
8. Obtain scaffold user training prior to working on scaffolding.
9. Inspect all scaffolds prior to use or at least on a daily basis.
10.  Erect and dismantle under the direction of a scaffold competent person.

Inspect scaffolds and scaffold parts daily, before each work shift, and after any event that may have caused damage.

• Check to see if power lines near scaffolds are de-energized or that the scaffolds are at least 10 feet away from energized power lines.

• Make sure that tools and materials are at least 10 feet away from energized power lines.

• Verify that the scaffold is the correct type for the loads, materials, employees, and weather conditions.

• Check footings to see if they are level, sound, rigid, and capable of supporting the loaded scaffold.

• Check legs, posts, frames, and uprights to see if they are on base-plates and mud sills.

• Check metal components for bends, cracks, holes, rust, welding splatter, pits, broken welds, and non-compatible parts.

• Check for safe access. Do not use the cross braces as a ladder for access or exit.

• Check wooden planks for cracks, splits greater than one-quarter (1/4) inch, end splits that are long, many large loose knots, warps greater than one-quarter (1/4) inch, boards and ends with gouges, mold, separated laminate(s), and grain sloping greater than 1 in 12 inches from the long edge and are scaffold grade lumber or equivalent.

• If the planks deflect one-sixtieth (1/60) of the span or 2 inches in a 10-foot wooden plank, the plank has been damaged and must not be used.

• Check to see if the planks are close together, with spaces no more than 1 inch around uprights.

• Check to see if 10-foot or shorter planks are 6 to 12 inches over the center line of the support, and that 10-foot or longer planks are no more than 18 inches over the end.

• Check to see if the platform is 14 inches or more away from the wall or 18 inches or less away if plastering or stucco.

• Check for guardrails and mid-brains on platforms where work is being done.

• Check for employees under the platform and provide falling object protection or barricade the area. Make sure that hard hats are worn.

• Use braces, tie-ins and guying as described by the scaffold's manufacturer at each end, vertically and horizontally to prevent tipping.