REGULATIONS: SCAFFOLDING BASICS:
OSHA Standard Subpart L Capacity – 1926.451(a)(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(5) and (g) of this section, each scaffold and scaffold component shall be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it.
OSHA Standard Subpart L Scaffold Platform Construction – 1926.451(b)(1) Each platform on all working levels of scaffolds shall be fully planked or decked between the front uprights and the guardrail support.
OSHA Standard Subpart L Criteria for Supported Scaffolds – 1926.451(c)(1) Supported scaffolds with a height to base width (including outrigger supports, if used) ratio of more than four to one (4:1) shall be restrained from tipping by guying, tying, bracing, or equivalent means.
OSHA Standard Subpart L Criteria for Suspension Scaffolds – 1926.451(d)(1) All suspension scaffold support devices, such as outrigger beams, cornice hooks, parapet clamps, and similar devices, shall rest on surfaces capable of supporting at least 4 times the load imposed on them by the scaffold operating at the rated load of the hoist (or at least 1.5 times the load imposed on them by the scaffold at the stall capacity of the hoist, whichever is greater.
OSHA Standard Subpart L Access – 1926.451(e)(1) When scaffold platforms are more than 2 feet (0.6 m) above or below a point of access, portable ladders, hook-on ladders, attachable ladders, stair towers (scaffold stairways/towers), stairway-type ladders (such as ladder stands), ramps, walkways, integral prefabricated scaffold access, or direct access from another scaffold, structure, personnel hoist, or similar surface shall be used. Cross braces shall not be used as a means of access.
OSHA Standard Subpart L Use – 1926.451(f)(1) Scaffolds and scaffold components shall not be loaded in excess of their maximum intended loads or rated capacities, whichever is less.
OSHA Standard Subpart L Fall Protection – 1926.451(g)(1) Each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet (3.1 m) above a lower level shall be protected from falling to that lower level. Paragraphs (g)(1) (i) through (vii) of this section establish the types of fall protection to be provided to the employees on each type of scaffold. Paragraph (g)(2) of this section addresses fall protection for scaffold erectors and dismantlers.
OSHA Standard Subpart L Falling Object Protection – 1926.451(h)(1) In addition to wearing hardhats each employee on a scaffold shall be provided with additional protection from falling hand tools, debris, and other small objects through the installation of toeboards, screens, or guardrail systems, or through the erection of debris nets, catch platforms, or canopy structures that contain or deflect the falling objects. When the falling objects are too large, heavy or massive to be contained or deflected by any of the above-listed measures, the employer shall place such potential falling objects away from the edge of the surface from which they could fall and shall secure those materials as necessary to prevent their falling.
OSHA Standard Subpart L Training – 1926.454(a) The employer shall have each employee who performs work while on a scaffold trained by a person qualified in the subject matter to recognize the hazards associated with the type of scaffold being used and to understand the procedures to control or minimize those hazards.
Scaffolding Protection and Facts: Approximately 60 people die every year as a result of scaffold-related accidents.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- There are many types of scaffolding. The most commonly used in construction are Frame Scaffolds, System Scaffolding, Mobile Scaffolding, Swing Stage Scaffolding, and Suspended Scaffolding.
- If you are not trained on specific type scaffolding (DO NOT WORK ON IT OR USE)
- Foundation and/or anchorage for scaffolding shall be sound, rigid, and capable of carrying at least four times the intended load without settling or movement.
- Mudsills or baseplates shall not be placed on unstable objects such as blocks, loose bricks, dunnage, or stones (cribbing is required for mud sills build up).
- The scaffolding brace, leg, posts, frames, and uprights must be plumb, level, and square.
- Horizontal, and diagonal bracing and accessories must be assembled per engineer or manufacturer’s instructions are required.
- When support scaffolds reach 4 times their shortest base scaffold guys, ties, or bracing must be utilized to prevent falling. Intervals not to exceed 30 feet horizontal and 26 feet vertically
- All open sides and ends of scaffold platforms 10 feet or more high guardrails between 39’ and 45’, midrails half-way between minimum 3 1/2 “ high toeboards.
- Where persons are required to work or pass under any scaffold or materials are stored higher than the toeboards mesh screen shall be provided between the toeboards, midrails, and the top guardrails.
- Where scaffold platforms are not over the bearer more than 6 inches or overlap at least 12 inches planks will be secured by cleating, tying, or otherwise secured to the scaffold.
- Planks shall overlap so that both planks are bearing on a scaffold bearer at the point of overlap.
- Planks shall not extend over the end supports more than 12 inches unless barricaded.
- The maximum permissible span for planking used for scaffold platforms is 10 feet.
- Wood planking needs to be scaffold grade.
- Minimum clearance of 10’ is required for all power 5 lines.
- Do not work on scaffolding during storms and winds, or if wet, snowy, or icy.
- Free-standing mobile scaffold towers shall not be higher than four times the minimum base dimension and shall not be moved while occupied over two times the minimum base. Outriggers may be used to increase the base dimension and provide stability to the tower.
- All decks must be fully planked.
- Wheels and casters on mobile scaffolds shall be provided with locking devices. Locking devices shall be locked when the scaffold is in use to prevent it from moving.
- Overhead protection shall be provided for employees on scaffolds exposed to overhead hazards.
- An access ladder or equivalent safe access shall be provided for all scaffolds.
- Use a tag line when hoisting materials from a scaffold.
- Keep scaffold platforms clean to prevent trips and slips.
- All employees working on scaffolding must be trained by a qualified person.
- At all times a competent person is required to be working on the scaffolding and present.
- Never climb the cross braces or short-rung Mason’s bucks.
- Use a tagging system to identify scaffold completeness and inspections.
- Scaffolds over 125’ or with special provisions require an engineer-approved design and system.
