Scaffold Safety for Construction

Scaffold Safety for Construction

Scope and application of the regulation Regulations on scaffolds in the construction industry are in Subpart L of 29 CFR 1926 The regulation applies to all scaffolds used in workplaces that are covered by OSHA’s construction regulations 1a

Scope and application of the regulation It also applies to temporary elevated work platforms and aerial lifts It does not apply to crane or derrick suspended personnel platforms 1b

Scope and application of the regulation General industry activities are not covered by the construction industry requirements 1c

Terms Competent person Exposed power lines Guardrail system 2a

Terms Maximum intended load Personal fall arrest system Qualified 2b

Terms Rated load Supported scaffold Suspension scaffold 2c

Training requirements Training will advise you on how to protect yourself from electrical hazards fall hazards falling object hazards 3a

Training requirements You must know; the scaffold’s load capacities how to handle materials on the scaffold how to use the scaffold 3b

Electrical safety Clearance between scaffold equipment and powerlines is crucial to worker safety Safe distances must be kept between energized lines and conductive material 4a

Electrical safety Clearances must be maintained when scaffolds are: erected used dismantled altered moved 4b

Electrical safety Before work starts, the utility company or electrical system operator can either: de-energize the lines relocate them install protective coverings to prevent accidental contact with the lines 4c

Welding safety Be aware of the hazard of welding current arcing through the suspension wire rope when welding from suspended scaffolds Use an insulated thimble to attach each suspension wire rope to its hanging support 4d

Welding safety Insulate any excess suspension wire rope or other independent lines Insulate the suspension wire rope at least 4 feet (1.2 m) above the hoist 4e

Welding safety If there is a tail line below the hoist, insulate it to prevent contact with the platform Retain or guide the portion of the tail line that hangs free below the scaffold so that it does not become grounded 4f

Welding safety Use insulated protective covers to cover each hoist In addition to a work lead attachment required by the welding process, use a grounding conductor between the scaffold and the structure 4g

Welding safety If the scaffold grounding lead is disconnected at any time, the welding machine must be shut off Keep active welding rods or uninsulated welding leads from contacting the scaffold or its suspension system 4h

Fall protection Each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet above a lower level must be protected from falling to that lower level The two types of fall protection are the: Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) guardrail system 5a

Fall protection Different types of scaffolds require different types of fall protection 5b

Fall protection PFASs are required for employees on a: boatswains’ chair caternary scaffold float scaffold needle beam scaffold ladder jack scaffold 5c

Fall protection Both a PFAS and a guardrail system is required for single-point or two-point adjustable suspension scaffolds 5d

Fall protection Crawling boards (chicken ladders) need either a: PFAS guardrail 3/4 inch diameter grab line or equivalent handhold securely fastened beside the crawling board 5e

Fall protection Self-contained adjustable scaffolds that have the platform supported by the frame require a guardrail system Self-contained adjustable scaffolds with the platform supported by ropes require both a PFAS and a guardrail system 5f

Fall protection Guardrail systems must be used to protect walkways within a scaffold 5g

Fall protection When the front edge of the platform is more than 14 inches away from the face of the structure, this edge requires a guardrail or workers must use a PFAS 5h

Personal fall arrest systems The PFAS must meet the requirements in the regulation on Fall Protection (29 CFR 1926.502(d)) When used on a scaffold, attach the PFAS to a vertical or horizontal lifeline or to a structural member 6a

Personal fall arrest systems When vertical lifelines are used, they must be: anchored to a safe fixed point independent of the scaffold protected from sharp edges and abrasion 6b

Personal fall arrest systems Horizontal lifelines must be: secured to two or more structural members of the scaffold looped around both suspension and independent suspension lines above the hoist and brake 6c

Personal fall arrest systems Vertical lifelines, independent support lines, and suspension ropes: must not be attached to each other cannot use the same anchorage point 6d

Guardrail systems Appendix A of the regulation gives specifications for building guardrail systems Guardrail systems must be installed along all open sides and ends of platforms 7a

Guardrail systems Requirements for how high the toprail must be above the platform surface, and for the use of: midrails screens mesh intermediate vertical members solid panels as part of a guardrail system 7b

Guardrail systems The guardrail system must be able to withstand force as specified in the regulation 7c

Guardrail systems Guardrail components must be surfaced so they do not cause: puncture wounds lacerations snagged clothing 7d

Protection from falling objects Employees must be protected from: falling hand tools debris other small objects 8a

Protection from falling objects Protection is gained through the installation of: toeboards screens guardrail systems debris nets catch platforms canopy structures that contain or deflect the falling objects 8b

Protection from falling objects When the falling objects are too large, heavy, or massive to be contained, keep objects away from the edge of the surface 8c

Protection from falling objects Barricade areas to protect the employees working below from the hazards of falling: tools materials equipment 8d

Protection from falling objects Install a toeboard along the edge of platforms more than 10 feet above lower levels Protect the workers below when equipment or materials are piled to a height above the toprail or toeboard on a scaffold’s platform 8e

Load capacities It is crucial to stay within the scaffold’s load limits Scaffolds must be designed by a qualified person Scaffolds must be constructed and loaded in accordance with that design 9a

Load capacities Each scaffold and scaffold component must be able to support: its own weight at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it 9b

Load capacities It’s up to the worker to understand and stay within the capacities of the equipment 9c

Load capacities Don’t make arbitrary changes to a scaffold’s structure Any modifications can affect the scaffold’s capacity and stability 9d

Load capacities Scaffolds and scaffold components must never be loaded in excess of their maximum intended loads or rated capacities, whichever is less 9e

Materials handling on scaffolds Any materials taken onto the platform must be handled properly Do not allow debris to accumulate on platforms 10a

Materials handling on scaffolds If materials start to pile up above toeboards, the scaffold may need additional falling object protection Secure any liquid or powdery materials to guard against spills 10b

Materials handling on scaffolds Take extra precautions in windy conditions During storms or high winds, a competent person must determine if it is safe for employees to be on the scaffold 10c

Materials handling on scaffolds Use tag lines or equivalent measures to control any swinging loads that are being hoisted onto or near scaffolds 10d

Inspection requirements Inspect scaffolds and scaffold components for visible defects before each shift Inspect scaffolds after any occurrence that could affect a scaffold’s structural integrity 11a

Inspection requirements Early detection of structural defects is important; look for hairline cracks 11b

Inspection requirements Ensure that structural defects in platforms are not covered from view Platforms may not be covered with opaque finishes 11c

Inspection requirements Platforms may be coated with: wood preservatives fire-retardant finishes slip-retardant finishes 11d

Inspection requirements Platform edges can be marked to show identification, grading, or similar types of marks Inspect ropes for defects prior to each workshift and after every occurrence that could affect a rope’s integrity 11e

Inspection requirements Before a suspension scaffold is used, inspect the direct connections (bolts) Inspect and retighten wire rope clips at the start of each workshift 11f

Handling damaged components Damaged or weakened scaffolds must be: immediately repaired or replaced braced removed from service until repaired 12a

Handling damaged components On suspension scaffolds, ropes must be replaced if any of the following conditions exist: 12b

Handling damaged components Any physical damage that impairs the function and strength of the rope Kinks that might impair the tracking or wrapping of rope around the drum(s) or sheave(s) 12c

Handling damaged components Six randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay or three broken wires in one strand in one rope lay 12d

Handling damaged components Abrasion, corrosion, scrubbing, flattening or peening causing loss of more than one-third of the original diameter of the outside wires 12e

Handling damaged components Heat damage caused by a torch or any damage caused by contact with electrical wires Evidence that the secondary brake has been activated during an overspeed condition and has engaged the suspension rope 12f

Safe access to scaffold platforms When scaffold platforms are more than 2 feet above or below a point of access, means of access include: 13a

Safe access to scaffold platforms Portable ladders Hook-on ladders Attachable ladders Stair towers 13b

Safe access to scaffold platforms Stairway-type ladders Ramps Walkways Integral prefabricated scaffold access 13c

Safe access to scaffold platforms Direct access from another scaffold, structure, personnel hoist, or similar surface Crossbraces cannot be used as a means of access 13d

Hazards of using materials to increase scaffold height Don’t use makeshift devices, such as boxes and barrels, to increase the working level height Ladders must not be used on scaffolds to increase the working level height except on large area scaffolds 14a

Hazards of using materials to increase scaffold height A large area scaffold is erected over substantially the entire work area: a pole scaffold tube and coupler scaffold systems scaffold fabricated frame scaffold 14b

Hazards of using materials to increase scaffold height Ladders may be used on large area scaffolds if the: 14c

Hazards of using materials to increase scaffold height Ladder is placed against a structure that is not a part of the scaffold Scaffold has been secured against the sideways thrust exerted by the ladder 14d

Hazards of using materials to increase scaffold height Platform units are secured to the scaffold to prevent their movement 14e

Hazards of using materials to increase scaffold height Ladder legs are on the same platform or other means is used to stabilize the ladder against unequal platform deflection Ladder legs are secured to prevent them from slipping or being pushed off the platform 14f

Moving a scaffold Unless so designed, scaffolds cannot be moved horizontally while employees are on them Follow the requirements at 1926.452 for mobile scaffolds 15a

Erecting/dismantling scaffolds Employees must be trained and experienced in erecting and dismantling scaffolds Employees working on supported scaffolds must be provided with safe access 16a

Erecting/dismantling scaffolds A competent person must determine if providing safe access is feasible based on site conditions and the type of scaffold 16b

Erecting/dismantling scaffolds For employees who are erecting supported scaffolds, hook-on or attachable ladders are to be installed as soon as possible 16c

Erecting/dismantling scaffolds End frames with horizontal members that are parallel, level, and not more than 22 inches apart vertically may be used as climbing devices for access 16d

Erecting/dismantling scaffolds Cross braces on tubular welded frame scaffolds must not be used as a means of access or egress during erecting or dismantling work 16e

Erecting/dismantling scaffolds Employers are required to provide fall protection for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds 16f

Erecting/dismantling scaffolds A competent person must determine the feasibility and safety of providing fall protection for employees 16g

Aerial lifts 29 CFR 1926.453 addresses both general and specific requirements 17a

Aerial lifts Aerial lifts include the following types of vehicle-mounted aerial devices: Extensible boom platforms Aerial ladders Articulating boom platforms Vertical towers A combination of any such devices 17b

Aerial lifts Aerial equipment: may be made of metal, wood, fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP), or other material may be powered or manually operated is considered to be an aerial lift whether or not it is capable of rotating about a substantially vertical axis 17c

Aerial lifts A body belt must be worn with a lanyard attached to the boom or basket when working from an aerial lift Body belts that meet the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.502(e) are acceptable 17d

Aerial lifts Do not belt off to an adjacent pole, structure, or equipment while working from an aerial lift All of the training requirements in 29 CFR 1926.454 apply to the use of aerial lifts 17e

Aerial lifts Only authorized persons can operate an aerial lift Lift controls must be tested each day prior to use 17f

Aerial lifts Climbers must not be worn when working from an aerial lift Unless so designed, an aerial lift truck must not be moved when the boom is elevated in a working position with workers in the basket 17g