INTRODUCTION

This training information has been prepared by the Safety and Health Consultation Program at Georgia Tech with the technical collaboration of Mr. Juán C. Rodriguez and under the sponsorship of OSHA. Its content may be copied and distributed for free, and the only request made to the user is that Georgia Tech’s Safety and Health Consultation Program be acknowledged as the source. All information contained in this training is believed to be correct by the authors, but it is important to point out that, this is not an official OSHA publication and has not been revised or approved by OSHA. The user should be aware that the recommendations provided in this training do not replace any OSHA standard or regulation.

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Georgia Tech Research Institute 260 14 th Street, Fourth Floor Atlanta, GA 30332-0837 Voice : (404) 407-7431 FAX : (404) 407-8275

Web http//www.oshainfo.gatech.edu GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

1926.450-1926.454

WHAT IS A SCAFFOLD?

 A scaffold is any temporary elevated platform (supported or suspended) and its supporting structure (including points of anchorage), used for supporting both employees and the materials to be used GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

 A scaffold GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Most Common Accidents While Working on a Scaffold

Falls due to lack of:

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A guardrail system

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Personal fall arrest systems

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Proper access (from ladders incorrectly used) Electrocution:

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Worker touching energized power lines Working materials or scaffolding frame touching energized power lines

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Most Common Accidents …cont

Impacts from objects falling from the scaffold:  Tools, materials falling from the platform  Scaffold parts dropped during the process of erecting or dismantling Collapse of scaffold:  High and unstable scaffolds not secured with ties, guys, and braces  Small scaffolds are also commonly involved GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Most Important Safety Factors?

 Train the workers  Begin erecting a scaffold on a firm, solid supporting foundation  Install / connect all components/parts correctly  Tie the scaffold with a ratio of 4: 1  Do not overload with construction materials  Platform must be fully planked  Use guardrail systems and personal fall arrest systems  Inspect the scaffold before starting each working shift  Provide a safe means of access  Provide additional protection through toe boards and/or screens so that tools, materials, debris, or equipment do not fall from a scaffold GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

SCAFFOLD’S BASE

 Legs shall bear on base plates or adjustable screw jacks  Place thick, solid wood planks under the legs or use other adequate firm foundation, when necessary  Legs, posts, and frames must be plumb and braced (straight/ without leaning) GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

 The base GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Leveled and plumb GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Parts of a scaffold

 The base/ foundation  The fabricated end frames (tubular frames)  The transverse bracing (crossbracing) members (X)  The platforms made of thick and solid plank units  Guardrail systems for fall protection  The access system in place GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

 Parts of a scaffold GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Scaffold’s supporting capacity and use

 A scaffold shall be erected so that it be capable of supporting its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load transmitted to it  Never overload it with construction materials  A competent person must inspect it before the start of each working shift  Any damaged part or member must be replaced GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Competent Person

• One who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards • One who identifies conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous to employees • One who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

 Competent person GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

ACCESS TO A SCAFFOLD

 From the moment it is erected to the moment it is dismantled  Ladders must be compatible with the type of scaffold  Rule of two feet / space (gap) between rungs  Rest platforms at certain vertical intervals  Type of surface  Cleanliness GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

 Scaffold’s access GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

     

FALL PROTECTION

Applies to each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet above a lower level Ascertain who the competent person is Make use of a vertical lifeline or a horizontal lifeline, if required The top edge height of toprails and their strength must be in accordance to specified measurements and loads The transverse bracing (crossbracing) members (X) may be used as one of the safety rails The working platform must be planked as fully as possible –from end to end-- with thick and solid plank units, except when erecting or dismantling a scaffold GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

 Fall protection GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Protection…

 Platform planks shall overlap at least 12 inches or otherwise be secured (immobilized)  Wood platforms shall not be covered with opaque finishes (paint)  A portable ladder shall never be placed for use on the platform  The edges of the platform shall be protected through toe boards that retain any potential falling object (tools or construction material)  A canopy structure shall be erected if employees pass below GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

 Overlapping platform planks GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

How to stack construction materials on a scaffold platform

 Always proportionately distribute materials where there is solid support (tube) underneath the platform planks  Never place material on a platform section which does not have any support underneath  Platform planks shall not deflect more than 1/60 of the span when loaded GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

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Materials stacked on the platform

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Securely tie and brace scaffolds against the building

 A ratio of four to one (4 : 1) height to base width shall be used when placing ties vertically  Every 30 feet at horizontal intervals, placing ties at each end of the scaffold and at edges  Gauge 9 wire may be used GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

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Scaffold’s inspections

Who has to perform them?

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Include all component parts/members

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Type of damage/irregularities to look for: physical and structural

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Employee Training

Five main areas to be considered:      Falls Access Materials and objects on a scaffold platform Risk of electrocution Collapse of a scaffold  Procedures for correcting irregularities/defects in the erecting process of a scaffold GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Training, cont…

     Appropriate use of a scaffold Maximum load-carrying capacity Subpart L requirements Training for qualified persons/competent persons Retraining retained, consolidated so that the requisite proficiency is and the level of competency is GA Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program