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Topics of DiscussionTopics of Discussion

• AwarenessAwareness• Types of ScaffoldingTypes of Scaffolding• Scaffolding BasicsScaffolding Basics• Erecting Scaffolds Erecting Scaffolds • Inspection of Inspection of

ScaffoldsScaffolds• Do’s and Don’tsDo’s and Don’ts

Photo of Engelmann Gym scaffold (under construction, fall 2005)Photo of Engelmann Gym scaffold (under construction, fall 2005)

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Anatomy of a FallAnatomy of a Fall

• Source:Source: Anatomy of a Fall diagram from Associated Anatomy of a Fall diagram from Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin, 6General Contractors of Wisconsin, 6thth Annual State Risk Annual State Risk

Mgmt. Conference, Madison, 1998Mgmt. Conference, Madison, 1998

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Scaffolding Accident/Injury StatisticsScaffolding Accident/Injury Statistics

• An estimated 2.3 An estimated 2.3 million construction million construction workers, or 65% of the workers, or 65% of the construction industry, construction industry, work on scaffolds work on scaffolds frequently.frequently.

• Protecting these Protecting these workers from scaffold-workers from scaffold-related accidents related accidents would prevent 4,500 would prevent 4,500 injuries and 50 deaths injuries and 50 deaths per year.per year.

2004 DOL Statistics

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Fatalities in Construction (OSHA)Fatalities in Construction (OSHA)

Fall Protection (3 methods):

•Fall Prevention (e.g., guardrail system)

•Work Positioning, secures you to a location, thus preventing a fall

•Fall Arrest Systems, consisting of a full body harness, lanyard, and anchorage

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ScaffoldingScaffolding

– with wood poles and with wood poles and over 60 feet in heightover 60 feet in height

– frame scaffolds over frame scaffolds over 125 feet in height125 feet in height

– outrigger scaffolds plus outrigger scaffolds plus scaffold erectionsscaffold erections

– when intended loads when intended loads exceed tube and exceed tube and coupler scaffold coupler scaffold standard ratings standard ratings

• A registered professional engineer must design and A registered professional engineer must design and certify scaffolds:certify scaffolds:

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Types of ScaffoldsTypes of Scaffolds

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Supported ScaffoldsSupported Scaffolds

• Ladder Jack• Pump Jack• Frame or

Fabricated• Tube and

Coupler• Mobile• Specialty• Pole

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Manually Propelled Manually Propelled Mobile ScaffoldsMobile Scaffolds

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Suspended ScaffoldsSuspended Scaffolds

• Two-Point Two-Point • Single-Point Single-Point

AdjustableAdjustable• CatenaryCatenary• Multi-point Multi-point

AdjustableAdjustable• Interior HungInterior Hung• Needle BeamNeedle Beam• Multi-LevelMulti-Level• Float (ship)Float (ship)

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Boatswain’s ChairBoatswain’s Chair

Seat slings must: • Pass through four corner

holes in the seat,  • Cross on the underside of

the seat, • Be rigged to prevent

slippage which could cause the chair to be out-of-level, and

• Be at least 5/8” diameter fiber, synthetic, or other first-grade manila rope of equivalent criteria (strength, slip resistance, durability, etc.).

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Specialty ScaffoldsSpecialty Scaffolds

• Plasterers‘• Decorators', and other large-

area scaffolds; • Bricklayers' square scaffolds;• Horse scaffolds• Outrigger scaffolds• Step, platform, and trestle

ladder scaffolds• Form and carpenter's bracket

scaffolds• Window jack scaffolds;• Crawling boards and chicken

ladders• Roof bracket scaffolds.

Specialty Scaffolds are designed for a narrow and very specific range of applications. Specialty Scaffolds Include:

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Outrigger ScaffoldsOutrigger Scaffolds

Outrigger beams must be: 

Secured in place to prevent movement, and

Securely braced at the fulcrum point to prevent tipping.

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Tube and Couple Tube and Couple ScaffoldsScaffolds

• Klotsche Klotsche natatorium HVAC natatorium HVAC renovation renovation (Summer 2004)(Summer 2004)

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Tube and Coupler ScaffoldsTube and Coupler Scaffolds

Light DutyLight Duty• Not to exceed 25 pounds per

square foot• 10 foot longitudinal post spacing• 6 foot traverse post space• 1 work level

– 8 additional planked levels– 125 feet maximum height

• 2 work levels– 4 additional planked levels– 125 feet maximum height

• 3 work levels– 0 additional planked levels– 91 feet maximum height

Medium DutyMedium Duty

• Not to exceed 50 pounds per square foot

• 8 foot longitudinal post spacing• 6 foot traverse post space• 1 work level

– 6 additional planked levels– 125 feet maximum height

• 2 work levels– 0 additional planked levels– 78 feet maximum height

Heavy DutyHeavy Duty

• Not to exceed 75 pounds per square foot

• 6’ 6” foot longitudinal post spacing• 6 foot traverse post spacing• 1 work level

– 6 additional planked levels– 125 feet maximum height

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BasicsBasics

• TrainingTraining — Employers must — Employers must train each employee who train each employee who works on a scaffold on the works on a scaffold on the procedures to control or procedures to control or minimize the hazards.minimize the hazards.

• InspectionsInspections — Before each — Before each work shift and after any work shift and after any occurrence that could affect occurrence that could affect the structural integrity, a the structural integrity, a competent person must competent person must inspect the scaffold and inspect the scaffold and scaffold components for scaffold components for visible defectsvisible defects. .

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BasicsBasics

• Fall protection (e.g. Fall protection (e.g. guardrails) required at a guardrails) required at a 10 foot height above a 10 foot height above a lower level. lower level. [[1926.451(g)(1)]]

• When erecting and When erecting and dismantling supported dismantling supported scaffolds, a competent scaffolds, a competent person must determine person must determine the feasibility of providing the feasibility of providing a safe means of access a safe means of access and fall protection for and fall protection for these operationsthese operations

NOTE: guardrails recommended at work platform heights greater than 4 feet

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Personal Safety TipsPersonal Safety Tips

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Personal Safety TipsPersonal Safety Tips

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Inspect Prior to UseInspect Prior to Use

• All equipment All equipment must be must be inspected to see inspected to see that it is in good that it is in good condition and condition and serviceable.serviceable.

• Damaged or Damaged or deteriorated deteriorated equipment must equipment must not be usednot be used

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Erecting ScaffoldingErecting Scaffolding

• Erect plumb, Erect plumb, square and square and rigid with all rigid with all brace brace connections connections securely securely fastenedfastened

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Tubular Welded-frame ScaffoldsTubular Welded-frame Scaffolds

• Be sure scaffold stays plumb and level as erection progressesBe sure scaffold stays plumb and level as erection progresses• For mobile scaffolds, use a horizontal diagonal brace, for For mobile scaffolds, use a horizontal diagonal brace, for

stability, at the base and every 21 feet in height.stability, at the base and every 21 feet in height.

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• Cross members Cross members must be locked must be locked together with cotter together with cotter pins or equivalentpins or equivalent

• Safway scaffoldsSafway scaffolds have “G” locks have “G” locks which open with which open with slight pressure and slight pressure and lock automatically lock automatically after guardrail slips after guardrail slips into placeinto place

Tubular Welded-Frame ScaffoldsTubular Welded-Frame Scaffolds

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• Each plank on a continuous run scaffold must Each plank on a continuous run scaffold must extend over its supports by at least 6” and overlap extend over its supports by at least 6” and overlap each other by at least 12”each other by at least 12”

OverlapOverlap

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• Guardrails and toeboards must be put on all open sides Guardrails and toeboards must be put on all open sides and ends of scaffolds 10’ or higherand ends of scaffolds 10’ or higher

• Screening required when materials are stacked higher than Screening required when materials are stacked higher than toeboardtoeboard

Guardrails and ToeboardsGuardrails and Toeboards

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• Side and end Side and end brackets are brackets are designed to support designed to support people ONLY.people ONLY.

• Brackets are not to Brackets are not to be used on rolling be used on rolling towerstowers

• Brackets introduce Brackets introduce overturning and/or overturning and/or uplift forces. uplift forces.

Side and End BracketsSide and End Brackets

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• Do not store Do not store materials on side or materials on side or end bracket end bracket platformsplatforms

• Only store materials Only store materials on scaffolds which on scaffolds which are for immediate are for immediate useuse

• Do not overload Do not overload platforms with platforms with materials.materials.

Side and End BracketsSide and End Brackets

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ClimbingClimbing

• Do not climb on Do not climb on cross members cross members or railingsor railings

• Access ladders Access ladders must be used; must be used; attachable attachable ladders must ladders must extend 3 feet extend 3 feet above platformabove platform

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Climb SafelyClimb Safely

• Face the rungsFace the rungs• Use both handsUse both hands• Do not carry Do not carry

materials while materials while you climbyou climb

• Keep one hand Keep one hand firmly on frame or firmly on frame or ladder at all timesladder at all times

• Rungs and shoes Rungs and shoes should be clean to should be clean to avoid slippingavoid slipping

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Mobile ScaffoldsMobile Scaffolds

• Height not to exceed 4* times Height not to exceed 4* times the minimum base dimensionthe minimum base dimension

• (Example, if base is 6’ x 10’, the maximum height is 24’)

• Planks must extend the full Planks must extend the full length of the scaffoldlength of the scaffold

• Do not ride on a mobile rolling Do not ride on a mobile rolling tower scaffold while it is being tower scaffold while it is being moved.moved.

• Guardrails and toeboards Guardrails and toeboards required on all sides when required on all sides when over 10 feet over 10 feet

* In California and some other states, height must not exceed 3 times.

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Mobile ScaffoldsMobile Scaffolds

• All tools or other objects which All tools or other objects which could fall from the scaffold could fall from the scaffold must be removed or secured must be removed or secured before moving the scaffoldbefore moving the scaffold

• At each new location, the At each new location, the scaffold shall be put on firm scaffold shall be put on firm ground and kept plumbground and kept plumb

• Manual force used to move the Manual force used to move the scaffold must be applied as scaffold must be applied as close to the base as possible, close to the base as possible, but not more than 5 feet above but not more than 5 feet above the supporting surface.the supporting surface.

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• The load rating of the The load rating of the casters will limit the size, casters will limit the size, configuration, and load configuration, and load capacity of the rolling capacity of the rolling tower. Casters must be tower. Casters must be rated 4 times the rated 4 times the maximum rated load of maximum rated load of the scaffoldthe scaffold

• Caster and wheel stem Caster and wheel stem shall be pinned, bolted shall be pinned, bolted or otherwise secured in or otherwise secured in scaffold legs or scaffold legs or adjustment screws.adjustment screws.

Manually Propelled Mobile ScaffoldsManually Propelled Mobile Scaffolds

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Manually Propelled Mobile ScaffoldsManually Propelled Mobile Scaffolds

• Lock all Lock all casters casters before before getting on a getting on a rolling tower.rolling tower.

• Casters shall Casters shall remain remain locked while locked while in usein use

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Upright Narrow ScaffoldUpright Narrow Scaffold

• Per instructions of the UpRight Narrow Scaffold, the platform height must not exceed 3 times the smaller base dimension unless scaffold is tied to the structure

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Upright Narrow Scaffold: read the labelsUpright Narrow Scaffold: read the labels

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Upright Narrow ScaffoldUpright Narrow Scaffold

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Inspect Job SiteInspect Job Site

• Inspect job site to Inspect job site to determine ground determine ground conditions, strength conditions, strength of supporting of supporting structure, proximity structure, proximity to electric lines & to electric lines & overhead overhead obstructionsobstructions

• Compensate for Compensate for uneven ground by uneven ground by using screw jacks & using screw jacks & base platesbase plates

• Do not use unstable objects such Do not use unstable objects such as blocks, loose bricks and as blocks, loose bricks and similarsimilar objectsobjects

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Ties, Guys, BracingTies, Guys, Bracing

• Scaffolds must be Scaffolds must be secured to the secured to the structure when the structure when the height exceeds 4 times height exceeds 4 times the minimum base the minimum base widthwidth– every 30 horizontal feetevery 30 horizontal feet– every 20 feet or less every 20 feet or less

(for scaffolds less than (for scaffolds less than 3 feet wide) or 26 3 feet wide) or 26 vertical feet or less (for vertical feet or less (for >3 feet wide)>3 feet wide)

– Outriggers, if used, Outriggers, if used, must be installed on must be installed on both sidesboth sides

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ClearancesClearances

• Any work where the Any work where the tube could come into tube could come into contact with the line contact with the line would need to be 6 would need to be 6 meters plus the meters plus the ““Danger Zone”Danger Zone” distance relative to distance relative to the voltage and the voltage and nature of insulation in nature of insulation in order that the order that the scaffold tube cannot scaffold tube cannot enter the “enter the “Danger Danger Zone”Zone”

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ClearancesClearances

Minimum Clearances From Electrical Lines

Insulated Lines

Less than 300 volts 3 feet

300 volts to 50 kv 10 feet

More than 50 kv 10 feet plus 4” for each additional kv

Uninsulated Lines

Up to 50 kv 10 feet

More than 50 kv 10 feet plus 4” for each additional kv

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Peronsal Protective EquipmentPeronsal Protective Equipment

• What types of PPE should you use when What types of PPE should you use when working on or near a scaffold?working on or near a scaffold?

1.1.

2.2.

3.3.

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What’s Wrong in This Picture?What’s Wrong in This Picture?

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What’s Wrong in This Picture?What’s Wrong in This Picture?

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• The concrete blocks are stacked six high, there are no base plates on some legs, scaffold legs are bearing on unstable objects, and there is improper/inadequate bracing.

What’s Wrong in This What’s Wrong in This Picture?Picture?

Photo & Text -- OSHA

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• This is a shore, or lean-to scaffold, and it is not permitted to be used per OSHA or ANSI.

• In this photo, workers have a shore scaffold on top of another shore scaffold.

• Access is unsafe both from above and below.

• The only thing holding this scaffold up is the DUMPSTER!

What’s Wrong in This What’s Wrong in This Picture?Picture?

Photo & Text -- OSHA

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What’s Wrong in This Picture?What’s Wrong in This Picture?

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What’s Wrong in This Picture?What’s Wrong in This Picture?

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What’s Wrong in This Picture?What’s Wrong in This Picture?

• The planks are not cleated or otherwise secured against displacement,

• There are no guardrails, and

• There is greater than a 14-inch gap between the building and the scaffold platform.

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• Where ladders Where ladders end, plasterers end, plasterers clamber onto clamber onto bundles of sticks bundles of sticks that stud the that stud the Great Mosque. Great Mosque. These serve as These serve as scaffolding --a scaffolding --a grid of grid of permanent permanent perches.perches.

• Photograph by Sarah Photograph by Sarah Leen, National Leen, National Geographic, June 2001Geographic, June 2001