Topics of Discussion • • • • • Awareness Types of Scaffolding Scaffolding Basics Erecting Scaffolds Inspection of Scaffolds • Do’s and Don’ts Photo of Engelmann Gym scaffold (under construction, fall 2005) USA (v. 2008) 2 Anatomy of a Fall • Source: Anatomy of a Fall diagram from Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin, 6th Annual State Risk Mgmt. Conference, Madison, 1998 USA (v. 2008) 3 Scaffolding Accident/Injury Statistics • An estimated 2.3 million construction workers, or 65% of the construction industry, work on scaffolds frequently. • Protecting these workers from scaffoldrelated accidents would prevent 4,500 injuries and 50 deaths per year. USA (v. 2008) 2004 DOL Statistics 4 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 USA (v. 2008) 5 Scaffolding • A registered professional engineer must design and certify scaffolds: – with wood poles and over 60 feet in height – frame scaffolds over 125 feet in height – outrigger scaffolds plus scaffold erections – when intended loads exceed tube and coupler scaffold standard ratings USA (v. 2008) 7 Types of Scaffolds USA (v. 2008) 8 Supported Scaffolds • Ladder Jack • Pump Jack • Frame or Fabricated • Tube and Coupler • Mobile • Specialty • Pole USA (v. 2008) 9 Manually Propelled Mobile Scaffolds USA (v. 2008) 10 Suspended Scaffolds • Two-Point • Single-Point Adjustable • Catenary • Multi-point Adjustable • Interior Hung • Needle Beam • Multi-Level • Float (ship) USA (v. 2008) 11 Boatswain’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 outof-level, and • Be at least 5/8” diameter fiber, synthetic, or other first-grade manila rope of equivalent criteria (strength, slip resistance, durability, etc.). USA (v. 2008) 12 Specialty Scaffolds Specialty Scaffolds are designed for a narrow and very specific range of applications. Specialty Scaffolds Include: • Plasterers‘ • Decorators', and other largearea 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. USA (v. 2008) 13 Outrigger Scaffolds Outrigger beams must be: Secured in place to prevent movement, and Securely braced at the fulcrum point to prevent tipping. USA (v. 2008) 14 Tube and Couple Scaffolds • Klotsche natatorium HVAC renovation (Summer 2004) USA (v. 2008) 15 Tube and Coupler Scaffolds Medium Duty Light 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 • – – • 3 work levels – 0 additional planked levels – 91 feet maximum height 6 additional planked levels 125 feet maximum height 2 work levels – – 2 work levels – 4 additional planked levels – 125 feet maximum height • Not to exceed 50 pounds per square foot 8 foot longitudinal post spacing 6 foot traverse post space 1 work level 0 additional planked levels 78 feet maximum height Heavy Duty • • • • Not to exceed 75 pounds per square foot 6’ 6” foot longitudinal post spacing 6 foot traverse post spacing 1 work level – – USA (v. 2008) 6 additional planked levels 125 feet maximum height 16 Basics • Training — Employers must train each employee who works on a scaffold on the procedures to control or minimize the hazards. • Inspections — Before each work shift and after any occurrence that could affect the structural integrity, a competent person must inspect the scaffold and scaffold components for visible defects. USA (v. 2008) 17 Basics • Fall protection (e.g. guardrails) required at a 10 foot height above a lower level. [1926.451(g)(1)] • When erecting and dismantling supported scaffolds, a competent person must determine the feasibility of providing a safe means of access and fall protection for these operations USA (v. 2008) NOTE: guardrails recommended at work platform heights greater than 18 4 feet Personal Safety Tips USA (v. 2008) 19 Personal Safety Tips USA (v. 2008) 20 Inspect Prior to Use • All equipment must be inspected to see that it is in good condition and serviceable. • Damaged or deteriorated equipment must not be used USA (v. 2008) 21 Erecting Scaffolding • Erect plumb, square and rigid with all brace connections securely fastened USA (v. 2008) 22 Tubular Welded-frame Scaffolds • Be sure scaffold stays plumb and level as erection progresses • For mobile scaffolds, use a horizontal diagonal brace, for stability, at the base and every 21 feet in height. USA (v. 2008) 23 Tubular Welded-Frame Scaffolds • Cross members must be locked together with cotter pins or equivalent • Safway scaffolds have “G” locks which open with slight pressure and lock automatically after guardrail slips into place USA (v. 2008) 24 Overlap • Each plank on a continuous run scaffold must extend over its supports by at least 6” and overlap each other by at least 12” USA (v. 2008) 25 Guardrails and Toeboards • Guardrails and toeboards must be put on all open sides and ends of scaffolds 10’ or higher • Screening required when materials are stacked higher than toeboard USA (v. 2008) 26 Side and End Brackets • Side and end brackets are designed to support people ONLY. • Brackets are not to be used on rolling towers • Brackets introduce overturning and/or uplift forces. USA (v. 2008) 27 Side and End Brackets • Do not store materials on side or end bracket platforms • Only store materials on scaffolds which are for immediate use • Do not overload platforms with materials. USA (v. 2008) 28 Climbing • Do not climb on cross members or railings • Access ladders must be used; attachable ladders must extend 3 feet above platform USA (v. 2008) 29 Climb Safely • Face the rungs • Use both hands • Do not carry materials while you climb • Keep one hand firmly on frame or ladder at all times • Rungs and shoes should be clean to avoid slipping USA (v. 2008) 30 Mobile Scaffolds • Height not to exceed 4* times the minimum base dimension • (Example, if base is 6’ x 10’, the maximum height is 24’) • Planks must extend the full length of the scaffold • Do not ride on a mobile rolling tower scaffold while it is being moved. • Guardrails and toeboards required on all sides when over 10 feet * In California and some other states, height must not exceed 3 times. USA (v. 2008) 31 Mobile Scaffolds • All tools or other objects which could fall from the scaffold must be removed or secured before moving the scaffold • At each new location, the scaffold shall be put on firm ground and kept plumb • Manual force used to move the scaffold must be applied as close to the base as possible, but not more than 5 feet above the supporting surface. USA (v. 2008) 32 Manually Propelled Mobile Scaffolds • The load rating of the casters will limit the size, configuration, and load capacity of the rolling tower. Casters must be rated 4 times the maximum rated load of the scaffold • Caster and wheel stem shall be pinned, bolted or otherwise secured in scaffold legs or adjustment screws. USA (v. 2008) 33 Manually Propelled Mobile Scaffolds • Lock all casters before getting on a rolling tower. • Casters shall remain locked while in use USA (v. 2008) 34 Upright 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 USA (v. 2008) 35 Upright Narrow Scaffold: read the labels USA (v. 2008) 36 Upright Narrow Scaffold USA (v. 2008) 37 Inspect Job Site • Inspect job site to determine ground conditions, strength of supporting structure, proximity to electric lines & overhead obstructions • Compensate for uneven ground by using screw jacks & base plates • Do not use unstable objects such as blocks, loose bricks and similar objects USA (v. 2008) 38 Ties, Guys, Bracing • Scaffolds must be secured to the structure when the height exceeds 4 times the minimum base width – every 30 horizontal feet – every 20 feet or less (for scaffolds less than 3 feet wide) or 26 vertical feet or less (for >3 feet wide) – Outriggers, if used, must be installed on both sides USA (v. 2008) 39 Clearances • Any work where the tube could come into contact with the line would need to be 6 meters plus the “Danger Zone” distance relative to the voltage and nature of insulation in order that the scaffold tube cannot enter the “Danger Zone” USA (v. 2008) 40 Clearances 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 USA (v. 2008) 41 Peronsal Protective Equipment • What types of PPE should you use when working on or near a scaffold? 1. 2. 3. USA (v. 2008) 42 What’s Wrong in This Picture? USA (v. 2008) 43 What’s Wrong in This Picture? USA (v. 2008) 44 What’s Wrong in This Picture? • 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. Photo & Text -- OSHA USA (v. 2008) 45 What’s Wrong in This Picture? • 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! Photo & Text -- OSHA USA (v. 2008) 46 What’s Wrong in This Picture? USA (v. 2008) 47 What’s Wrong in This Picture? USA (v. 2008) 48 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. USA (v. 2008) 49 • Where ladders end, plasterers clamber onto bundles of sticks that stud the Great Mosque. These serve as scaffolding --a grid of permanent perches. • Photograph by Sarah Leen, National Geographic, June 2001 USA (v. 2008) 50