SCAFFOLDS

1.0  INTRODUCTION


Of the 500,000 injuries and illnesses that occur in the construction industry annually, 10,000 are related to scaffolds. In addition, of the estimated 900 occupational fatalities occurring annually, at least 80 are associated with work on scaffolds. Seventy-two percent of the workers injured in scaffold accidents attributed the accident either to the planking or support giving way, or to the employee slipping or being struck by a falling object.

2.0  SCOPE

These rules apply to all scaffolds used in construction, alteration, repair (including painting and decorating) or demolition activities. These rules do not apply to aerial lifts.

3.0  DEFINITIONS

1. Competent Person - one who is capable of identifying hazards and has the authorization to make prompt corrective actions.

2. Maximum Intended Load - the total load of all persons, equipment, tools, and materials.

3. Open Sides and Ends - the edges of a platform that are more than 14 inches away from a wall.

4. Qualified Person - one who has a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience has successfully demonstrated his/her ability to solve problems related to scaffolding work.

5. Platform - a work surface elevated above lower levels. Platforms can be constructed using individual wood planks, fabricated planks, fabricated decks, and fabricated platforms.

6. Scaffold - any temporary elevated platform used for supporting employees and materials.

7. Rated Load - the maximum load specified by the manufacturer to be lifted by a hoist or to be applied to a scaffold or scaffold component.

8. Supported Scaffolds - one or more platforms supported by outrigger beams, brackets, poles, legs, uprights, posts, frames, or similar rigid support.

9. Stairtower - a tower which contains internal stairway units and rest platforms. These towers are used to provide access to platforms and other elevated points such as floors and roofs.

10. Mobile Scaffold - powered or unpowered, portable, caster or wheel-mounted support scaffold.

4.0  CONSTRUCTION

1. Scaffolds shall be capable of supporting their own weight and at least four times the maximum intended load.

2. Scaffolds shall be designed by a qualified person and constructed and loaded according to that design.

3. Platforms shall be fully planked between the front uprights and the guardrail supports.

4. Platform units shall be installed so that the space between adjacent units and the space between the platform and the uprights is less than 1 inch wide. If a wider space is necessary, the opening cannot exceed 9 1/2 inches.

5. Scaffold platforms shall be at least 18 inches wide unless the work area is too narrow.

6. The front edge of all platforms shall be less than 14 inches from the face of the work unless guardrails are erected along the front edge or personal fall arrest systems are used.

6a. Exception- the maximum distance from the face for plastering and lathing operations shall be 18 inches.

7. Each end of a platform, unless cleated or restrained by hooks, shall extend over the support rod by at least 6 inches.

8. Each end of a platform less than 10 feet in length shall not extend over its support more than 12 inches unless the platform is designed to support employees without tipping or has guardrails which block employee access to the ends.

9. A platform longer than 10 feet cannot extend more than 18 inches beyond a support unless the platform is designed to support employees without tipping or has guardrails which block employee access to the ends.

10. Scaffold components from different manufactures shall not be intermixed unless the components fit together easily and the structural integrity is maintained. This shall be determined by a competent person.

5.0  SUPPORTED SCAFFOLDS

1. Supported scaffolds with a height to base ratio (including outriggers) of more than 4:1 shall be restrained from tipping.

2. Support scaffold posts and frames shall rest on base plates, mud sills, or other firm foundations. Mud sills should be 2" x 10" lumber between 12 and 18 inches long.

3. Footings shall be level, rigid, and capable of supporting the loaded scaffold without settling or displacement.

4. Unstable objects shall not be used to support scaffolds.

5. Support scaffold posts and frames shall be plumb and braced to prevent swaying.

6.0  STAIRTOWERS

1. Stairtowers shall be positioned so that their bottom step is less than 24 inches high.

2. A stairrail consisting of a toprail and a midrail shall be provided on each side of each scaffold stairway.

3. Stairrails shall be at least 28 inches but no more than 37 inches from the surface of the tread, in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread.

4. A landing platform at least 18 inches wide by 18 inches long shall be provided at each level.

5. Stairways shall be at least 18 inches wide.

6. Treads and landings shall have slip-resistant surfaces.

7. Guardrails shall be provided on the open sides and ends of each landing.

7.0  MOBILE SCAFFOLDS

1. Scaffolds shall be braced by cross, horizontal, or diagonal braces to prevent collapse.

2. Scaffold shall be plumb, level, and squared.

3. All brace connections shall be secured.

4. Casters and wheels shall be locked to prevent movement while the scaffold is used in a stationary manner.

5. Scaffolds shall be stabilized to prevent tipping during movement.

6. Employees shall not ride on scaffolds unless:

• The surface is within 3 degrees of level and free of pits, holes, and obstructions.
• The height to base width ratio of the scaffold during movement is two to one or less.
• Outrigger frames, if used, are installed on both sides of the scaffold.
• No employee is on any part of the scaffold which extends outward beyond the wheels, casters, or other supports.

7. Platforms shall not extend beyond the base supports unless outrigger frames are used.

8. Caster stems and wheel stems shall be secured in scaffold legs.

9. Before a scaffold is moved, each employee on the scaffold shall be told of the move.

10. When moving the scaffold manual force shall be applied as close to the base as practical but no higher than 5 feet.

11. Employees shall not move a scaffold by themselves while they are on it.

8.0  ACCESS

1. When scaffold platforms are more than 2 feet above or below a point of access, ladders, stairways or ramps shall be used.

2. Cross bracing shall not be used as a means of access.

3. Portable, hook-on, and attachable ladders shall be positioned so as not to tip the scaffold.

4. Direct access to or from another surface shall be used only when the scaffold is less than 14 inches horizontally or 24 inches vertically from the other surface.

5. Safe means of access for employees erecting or dismantling a scaffold shall be provided. This shall be determined by a competent person. Cross braces shall not be used as a means of access or egress.

9.0  USE

1. Scaffolds shall not be loaded in excess of their rated capacity.

2. Scaffolds shall be inspected by a competent person for visible defects before each work shift, and after any occurrence which could affect the structural integrity of the scaffold. Any damaged part must be removed from service.

3. Scaffolds shall not be moved while employees are on them, unless the scaffold is a mobile scaffold.

4. The minimum clearance between scaffolds and power lines shall be as follows:

Less than 300 volts - 3 ft.

300 volts to 50kv - 10 ft.

Greater than 50kv - 10 ft. + 0.4 inches for each 1 kv over 50kv

Less than 50kv - 10 ft.

Greater than 50kv - 10 ft. + 0.4 inches for each 1kv over 50 kv

5. Scaffolds shall be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered only under the supervision of a competent person. Such activities shall be performed only by experienced and trained employees selected by the competent person.

6. Employees shall not work on scaffolds covered with snow, ice, or other slippery material except to remove the materials.

7. Work on scaffolds is prohibited during storms or high winds unless a competent person determines that it is safe.

8. Debris shall not be allowed to accumulate on platforms.

9. Make-shift devices such as boxes, barrels, shall not be used to increase the working level of the platform.

10. Ladders shall not be used on scaffolds except on large area type scaffolds that cover an entire work area.

10.0  FALL PROTECTION

1. Employees on a scaffold higher than 10 feet shall be protected from falling by the use of personal fall arrest systems or guardrail systems.

2. Employees shall wear fall protection during the erecting or dismantling of scaffolds if the use of such protection is feasible and does not create a greater hazard. A competent person shall make this determination.

3. Personal fall arrest systems shall be attached by a lanyard to a vertical lifeline, horizontal lifeline, or scaffold structural member. Vertical lifelines shall be independent of the scaffold. Horizontal lifelines shall be secured to two or more structural members of the scaffold.

4. Guardrail systems shall be installed along all open sides and ends of platforms and shall consist of a toprail and a midrail.

5. The top edge of toprails shall be between 38 and 45 inches high.

6. Midrails shall be installed midway between the top edge and the platform surface.

7. Toprails shall be equivalent in strength to 2x4 inch lumber or 1.990 inch x .058 inch wall aluminum tubing.

8. Midrails shall be equivalent in strength to 1x6 inch lumber or 1.990 inch x .058 inch wall aluminum tubing.

9. Posts shall be equivalent in strength to 2x4 inch lumber or 1.990 inch x .058 inch wall aluminum tubing.

10. Distance between posts shall not exceed 8 feet.

11. Toprails shall be capable of withstanding a force of at least 200 pounds in any downward or horizontal direction. The top edge shall not drop below 38 inches.

12. Midrails shall be capable of withstanding a force of at least 150 pounds in any downward or horizontal direction.

13. Guardrails shall be designed to prevent injury to employees and to prevent snagging of clothing.

14. Steel or plastic banding shall not be used as a toprail or midrail.

15. Manila or synthetic rope used for toprails or midrails shall be inspected by a competent person as frequently as necessary to ensure that it meets the strength requirements of this section.

16. Cross bracing is acceptable in place of midrails if the crossing point of two braces is between 20 inches and 30 inches above the work platform or as a toprail when the crossing point is between 38 and 48 inches. The end points at each upright shall be less than 4 feet apart.

11.0  FALLING OBJECT PROTECTION

1. Employees working on scaffolds must wear hardhats.

2. Where there is a danger of tools, materials, or equipment falling and striking employees, the following applies:

• The area below the scaffold which objects could fall shall be barricaded and employees shall be prevented from entering the area or;
• A toeboard shall be erected along the edge of platforms for a sufficient distance to protect employees.

3.  Where materials are piled higher than the toeboard, paneling or screening extending from the toeboard to the top of the guardrail shall be erected.

4. Toeboards shall be equivalent in strength to 1x4 inch lumber or 1.990 x .058 inch wall aluminum tubing. Toeboards shall be at least 3 1/2 inches high.

5. Screens shall consist of No. 18 gauge U.S. standard wire one inch mesh.

12.0  TRAINING

1. Employees who work on a scaffold must be trained by the Safety Office to recognize hazards and to understand the procedure to control or minimize those hazards. Training shall include the following:

• OSHA requirements on scaffolding.
• Electrical hazards.
• Fall hazards.
• Falling object hazards.
• The proper use of fall protection equipment if needed.

2. Employees who are involved in erecting and disassembling scaffolds must be trained by a competent person to recognize:

• Hazards associated with the work in question.
• Correct procedures for erecting and disassembling the scaffold.
• Design criteria, maximum intended load carrying capacity and intended use of the scaffold.

3. Retraining will be done when a supervisor or the Safety Office has reason to believe that an employee lacks the skills or understanding needed to work safely with scaffolding.

13.0  DUTIES OF THE COMPETENT PERSON

A competent person is one who is capable of identifying hazards and who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures. Competent persons shall perform the following duties:

1. Select and direct employees who erect, dismantle, move or alter scaffolds.

2. Determine if it is safe for employee to work on scaffolds during storms or high winds.

3. Train employees involved in erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, preparing, maintaining or inspecting scaffolds.

4. Inspect scaffolds for visible defects before each work shift and after any occurrence which could affect the structural integrity and to authorize prompt corrective actions.

5. Inspect manila or synthetic rope being used for toprails or midrails.

6. Inspect ropes on suspended scaffolds prior to each work shift and after every occurrence which could affect the structural integrity and to authorize prompt corrective actions.

7. Determine the feasibility and safety of providing fall protection and access.

8. Determine if a scaffold is structurally sound when intermixing components from different manufactures.

14.0  DUTIES OF QUALIFIED PERSONS

A Qualified Person is one who has a degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who has knowledge, training, and experience to solve problems relating to scaffolding work. Qualified persons will perform the following duties:

1. Train employees working on scaffolds to recognize the hazards and procedures to control those hazards.