FALLPROTECTION || Scaffolding · scaffolding. Immediately repair replace any portion of the scaffolding that is found to be damaged. Scaffold planks should extend over end supports

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Scaffolding is a temporary structure used on indoor and outdoor work sites as a walking or workingsurface for work crews to assist in maintenance, construction, and repair. When constructed and usedproperly, scaffolds provide a safe platform to complete work at heights and areas that would beotherwise difficult to reach. This safety topic is focused on the proper use of scaffolds and how toprevent potential falls, injuries or worse.

FALL PROTECTION || ScaffoldingVolume 1 Issue 63

OSHA Standard 1926 Subpart L covers Scaffolding

Common hazards associated with scaffolds are:

• Falls from elevation, due to lack of fallprotection

• Collapse of the scaffold, caused byinstability or overloading

• Being struck by falling tool or debris, due tolack of proper guardrails

• Electrocution, due to the proximity of thescaffold to overhead power lines

• Unsecured planking, that may cause slips orfalls

• Untrained personnel, or lack of a competentperson on site when scaffolding is in use

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1. Top Rail: 38”- 45” from the platform surface

2. Mid Rail: midway between top rail and the platform surface

3. Toeboard: 3 ½” high and secured to the platform surface

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Volume 1 Issue 63FALL PROTECTION || Scaffolding

OSHA Standard 1926.451(g)(1) states each employee on a scaffoldmore than 10 feet (3.1 m) above a lower level shall be protectedfrom falling to that lower level.

Toeboard 3 ½”

Guardrails must be used if performing work on scaffolding atheights of 10 feet or more to prevent falls.

Guardrails consist of 3 components:

(*1)

Dangerous!Missing rails and no fall protection provided.

Mid Rail 19”- 23”

Top Rail 38”- 45”



OSHA Standard 1926.451(g)(1)(i) states each employee on a boatswains' chair,catenary scaffold, float scaffold, needle beam scaffold, or ladder jack scaffold shall beprotected by a personal fall arrest system.

While working at heights of 10 feet or more on scaffolding, employees must wear personal fallprotection, such as a body harness, and/or ensure a guardrail is in place.

Personal fall protection shall:

✓ be inspected prior to use

✓ not be attached to a guardrail system

✓ not be attached to hoisting equipment unless the system prevents the employee from walking off the work surface

Worker wearing personal fall protection on boatswain chair.

(*2)

Trainee wearing personal fall protection on scaffold. (*4)(*3)



In addition to ensuring there is proper fall protection, here are more safety tips that should be followedwhen working on scaffolding to prevent falls:

➢ Employees shall not climb cross braces or end frames, unless end frames are designed to beclimbed.

➢ An access ladder, stair tower or equivalent safe access shall be provided for all scaffolding.

➢ Do not use ladders or makeshift devices on top of scaffolds to increase height.

➢ Employees are prohibited from working on scaffolds covered with snow, ice, or other slipperymaterials, except to remove these substances.

➢ Do not jump on planks or platforms.

➢ Do not work on scaffolds during high winds.

➢ Do not load a scaffold in excess of its ratedworking load.

➢ Do not move any scaffold while employees are onthem.

➢ Do not mix scaffold components or force pieces tofit together when building the scaffold. This canseverely compromise the strength of thescaffolding system.

➢ Lock casters and wheels when scaffold is in place.

(*5)


More important reminders when working on ornear scaffolding on the jobsite:


➢ All employees who erect, handle use, inspect,clean or dismantle scaffolding must be trainedby a competent person. All users must betrained to spot and report hazards.

➢ Scaffolds and all components shall beinspected by a competent person before eachwork shift, after changing weather conditions,or after prolonged work interruptions.

➢ Use only the safe means of access on anyscaffolding.

➢ Immediately repair replace any portion of the scaffolding that is found to be damaged.

➢ Scaffold planks should extend over end supports not less than 6-inches or more than 18-inches.

➢ Do not let loose materials, tools or debris accumulate on any scaffold.

➢ Areas below scaffold work should be barricaded unless a protective canopy is installed.

➢ Be aware of overhead power lines in your work area. Most overhead power lines are not insulatedand a safe distance will need to be maintained between the power line and the scaffolding.

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COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMERThis material is the copyrighted property of Weeklysafety.com, LLC. Purchase of this material from Weeklysafety.com, LLC grants the owner the right to use this material for workplace safetyand education purposes only. Use of this material for any other purpose, particularly commercial use, is prohibited. This material, including the photos, may not be resold.Weeklysafety.com, LLC does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or processdisclosed in these materials. Photos shown in this presentation may depict situations that are not in compliance with applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safetyrequirements. These materials are meant for informational purposes only and it is not the intent of Weeklysafety.com, LLC to provide compliance-based training. The intent is more toaddress hazard awareness in the construction and related industries, and to recognize the potential hazards present in many workplaces. These materials are intended to discuss FederalRegulations only, as individual State requirements may be more stringent. Many states operate their own state OSHA and may have standards that are different from information presentedin this training. It is the responsibility of the employer and its employees to comply with all pertinent OSHA safety rules and regulations in the jurisdiction in which they work.

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• (*1) Photo Credit – OSHA Supported Scaffolds. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/scaffolding/supported/manually_propelled.html

• (*2) Photo Credit – Zastita portal; Fall protection training. https://www.flickr.com/photos/128333409@N03/15236176640/

• (*3) Photo Credit – christine.gleason; Washing Away Summer. https://www.flickr.com/photos/cmgxvolley/30554638094/

• (*4) Photo Credit – Premier of Alberta. https://www.flickr.com/photos/premierofalberta/34522512446/

• (*5) Photo Credit – Michael Coghlan; Improvising. https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikecogh/7929736730/

Creative Commons License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/


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FALLPROTECTION || Scaffolding · scaffolding. Immediately repair replace any portion of the scaffolding that is found to be damaged. Scaffold planks should extend over end supports