scaffold safety in_construction_side

Scaffold Safety In Construction Side

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


It also applies to temporary elevated work platforms and aerial lifts

It does not apply to crane or derrick suspended personnel platforms


General industry activities are not covered by the construction industry requirements

Terms

Competent person

Exposed power lines

Guardrail system

Terms

Maximum intended load

Personal fall arrest system

Qualified

Terms

Rated load

Supported scaffold

Suspension scaffold

Training requirements

Training will advise you on how to protect yourself from

electrical hazards

fall hazards

falling object hazards

Training requirements

You must know;

the scaffold’s load capacities

how to handle materials on the scaffold

how to use the scaffold

Electrical safety

Clearance between scaffold equipment and power lines is crucial to worker safety

Safe distances must be kept between energized lines and conductive material

Electrical safety

Clearances must be maintained when scaffolds are:

erected

used

dismantled

altered

moved

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

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

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

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

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

Welding safety

If the scaffold grounding lead is disconnected at any time, the welding machine must be shut off

Keep active welding rods or un insulated welding leads from contacting the scaffold or its suspension system

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

Fall protection

Different types of scaffolds require different types of fall protection

Fall protection

PFASs are required for employees on a:

boatswains’ chair

cater nary scaffold

float scaffold

needle beam scaffold

ladder jack scaffold

Fall protection

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

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

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

Fall protection

Guardrail systems must be used to protect walkways within a scaffold

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

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


When vertical lifelines are used, they must be:

anchored to a safe fixed point

independent of the scaffold

protected from sharp edges and abrasion


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


Vertical lifelines, independent support lines, and suspension ropes:

must not be attached to each other

cannot use the same anchorage point

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

Guardrail systems

Requirements for how high the top rail must be above the platform surface, and for the use of: Mid rails

screens

mesh

intermediate vertical members

solid panels as part of a guardrail system

Guardrail systems

The guardrail system must be able to withstand force as specified in the regulation

Guardrail systems

Guardrail components must be surfaced so they do not cause:

puncture wounds

lacerations

snagged clothing

Protection from falling objects

Employees must be protected from:

falling hand tools

debris

other small objects


Protection is gained through the installation of:

toe boards

screens

guardrail systems

debris nets

catch platforms

canopy structures that contain or deflect the falling objects


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


Barricade areas to protect the employees working below from the hazards of falling:

tools

materials

equipment


Install a toe board 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 top rail or toe board on a scaffold’s platform

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

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

Load capacities

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

Load capacities

Don’t make arbitrary changes to a scaffold’s structure

Any modifications can affect the scaffold’s capacity and stability

Load capacities

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

Materials handling on scaffolds

Any materials taken onto the platform

must be handled properly

Do not allow debris to accumulate

on platforms


If materials start to pile up above toe boards, the scaffold may need additional falling object protection

Secure any liquid or powdery materials to guard against spills


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


Use tag lines or equivalent measures to control any swinging loads that are being hoisted onto or near scaffolds

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


Early detection of structural defects is important; look for hairline cracks


Ensure that structural defects in platforms are not covered from view

Platforms may not be covered with opaque finishes


Platforms may be coated with:

wood preservatives

fire-retardant finishes

slip-retardant finishes


Platform edges can be marked to show identification, grading, or similar types of marks

Inspect ropes for defects prior to each work shift and after every occurrence that could affect a rope’s integrity


Before a suspension scaffold is used, inspect the direct connections (bolts)

Inspect and retighten wire rope clips at the start of each work shift

Handling damaged components

Damaged or weakened scaffolds must be:

immediately repaired or replaced

braced

removed from service until repaired


On suspension scaffolds, ropes must

be replaced if any of the following

conditions exist:


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)


Six randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay or three broken wires in one strand in one rope lay


Abrasion, corrosion, scrubbing, flattening or peening causing loss of more than one-third

of the original diameter of the outside wires,


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 over speed condition and has engaged the suspension rope

Safe access to scaffold platforms

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


Portable ladders

Hook-on ladders

Attachable ladders

Stair towers


Stairway-type ladders

Ramps

Walkways

Integral prefabricated scaffold access


Direct access from another scaffold, structure, personnel hoist, or similar surface

Cross braces cannot be used as a means of access

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


A large area scaffold is erected over substantially the entire work area:

a pole scaffold

tube and coupler scaffold

systems scaffold

fabricated frame scaffold


Ladders may be used on large area scaffolds if the:


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


Platform units are secured to the scaffold to prevent their movement


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

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

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


A competent person must determine if providing safe access is feasible based on site conditions and the type of scaffold


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


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


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


Employers are required to provide fall protection for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds


A competent person must determine the feasibility and safety of providing fall

protection for employees

Aerial lifts

29 CFR 1926.453 addresses both general and specific requirements

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

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

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

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

Aerial lifts

Only authorized persons can operate an aerial lift

Lift controls must be tested each day prior to use

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.

scaffold safety in_construction_side

Engineering

scaffold safety

scaffold equipment

suspension system

scaffold grounding lead

welding process

welding machine

electrical safety clearances

insulated welding leads