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In addition, masons’ multi-point adjustable suspension scaffold connections shall be designed by an engineer experienced in such scaffold design. Inspectors commonly use internal scaffolding or other temporary structures for internal inspections, like those performed inside huge industrial boilers or pressure vessels, as well as for external inspections. Regardless of the specific inspection, the use of the scaffolding is the same—it allows inspectors to stand at height and conduct various types of testing in order to satisfy inspection requirements. Fall protection is a key component of scaffold safety, as falls rank among the leading causes of workplace injuries and fatalities in the construction industry. OSHA requires fall protection for workers on scaffolds higher than 10 feet off the ground. Scaffolds shall be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered only under the supervision and direction of a competent person qualified in scaffold erection, moving, dismantling or alteration.
Back to Basics: Scaffolding Safety
These three words are found in regulations, standards, codes and manufacturers’ recommendations. They have the most influence when used in mandatory regulations, such as the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Unfortunately, the terms are not always understood by those who use them, particularly when attempting to understand and apply the regulations.
The Dangers of Working on Scaffolding
Such activities shall be performed only by experienced and trained employees selected for such work by the competent person. OSHA requires that all scaffolds be inspected prior to each workshift by a competent person, that is, an individual who can identify hazards and has the authority to do something about it. OSHA requires that all scaffolds shall be erected, dismantled or modified only under the supervision of a competent person, qualified in scaffold erection, dismantling or modification. OSHA defines a scaffold as an elevated, temporary work platform, of which there are two basic types. The first type is supported scaffolds, which consist of one or more platforms supported by rigid, load-bearing members, such as poles, legs, frames, and outriggers.
Tips for Exploring Occupations Using the Guides
Scaffold collapses prompt warning - SafeWork SA
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This determination shall be based on site conditions and the type of scaffold being erected or dismantled. Hook-on or attachable ladders shall be installed as soon as scaffold erection has progressed to a point that permits safe installation and use. (g)(2) – Effective September 2, 1997, the employer shall have a competent person determine the feasibility and safety of providing fall protection for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds. Employers are required to provide fall protection for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds where the installation and use of such protection is feasible and does not create a greater hazard. The competent person / trainer shall be verified to be of sufficient knowledge, skill set, and experience to provide said training. The department will designate, identify, and provide training for competent persons within the department.
"Large area scaffold" means a pole scaffold, tube and coupler scaffold, systems scaffold, or fabricated frame scaffold erected over substantially the entire work area. The disappointing reality in the scaffold industry is that too often training is offered by those who have marginal qualifications to do so. Since there is no licensing program that verifies the instructor is qualified, be sure to carefully choose your instructor. Forms and publications provided on the EDD website cannot be translated using Google™ Translate. High school students use Guides to identify attractive careers and focus their education and training plans to meet job entrance requirements. (3) – Where inadequacies in an affected employee’s work involving scaffolds indicate that the employee has not retained the requisite proficiency.
Top OSHA construction violations for 2013: Best practices for fall protection and more - Safety.BLR.com
Top OSHA construction violations for 2013: Best practices for fall protection and more.
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A tube and coupler scaffold has a platform(s) supported by tubing, and is erected with coupling devices connecting uprights, braces, bearers and runners. Due to their strength, these scaffolds are frequently used where heavy loads need to be carried, or where multiple platforms must reach several stories high. These scaffolds can be assembled in multiple directions, making them the preferred option for work surfaces with irregular dimensions and/or contours. Beyond the obvious safety aspects, there are other important reasons why OSHA requires a competent person for scaffolding. Scaffolding is a necessary component for many construction job sites; however, it can pose a serious threat to workers.
Office of Environmental Health and Safety
The above evaluations and/or recommendations are for general guidance only and should not be relied upon for medical advice or legal compliance purposes. They are based solely on the information provided to us and relate only to those conditions specifically discussed. We do not make any warranty, expressed or implied, that your workplace is safe or healthful or that it complies with all laws, regulations or standards. Drones like Flyability's Elios 3 (shown above) can fly up to locations at height to collect high quality visual data, allowing inspectors to reduce or even fully eliminate the need to work on scaffolding or on ropes. A supported scaffold can have many forms, each of which serves a specific purpose.
Scaffolding workers
Before beginning dismantling procedures, reconstruct and/or stabilize the scaffold as necessary. Unless someone is physically watching and monitoring a scaffold 24/7, a wide range of circumstances could compromise its integrity. For example, after the workers have gone home, an errant vehicle could have accidentally bumped up against the scaffold, causing damage that would otherwise have gone unnoticed. And, as an added plus, the parts and pieces can be assembled with minimal expertise and knowledge! For some workers, whether it conforms with applicable design parameters and regulations appears to be of little to no importance. In trestle scaffolding, a tripod or portable scaffold board provides a platform for laborers to work from.
Vision and OSHA Top 10 Violations
Certain regulations require the expertise of a qualified Professional Engineer because there are times where verification of knowledge and experience is required. Users relying on assistive technology can access the Guide content.by downloading instructions and a set of Excel files that contain all of the content in the guide. The California Occupational Guides provide detailed information on California wages, job outlook, education, and licensing requirements for approximately 800 occupations. The Guides offer students and jobseekers occupational information to assist with making informed career choices. (d)(10) – Ropes shall be inspected for defects by a competent person prior to each workshift and after every occurrence which could affect a rope’s integrity. When dismantling the scaffold, check to ensure that the scaffold has not been structurally altered in a way that would make it unsafe.
Makeshift devices, such as, but not limited to, boxes and barrels, shall not be used on top of scaffold platforms to increase the working level height of employees. Ladders shall not be used on scaffolds to increase the working level height of employees, except on large area scaffolds. OSHA requires that all scaffolds shall be designed by a qualified person, an individual who can demonstrate the ability to design scaffolds correctly. (f)(3) – Scaffolds and scaffold components shall be inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift, and after any occurrence which could affect a scaffold’s structural integrity.
To this day, scaffolding remains one of the most useful and efficient ways for people to work at height. Peoples as diverse as Nubians, Egyptians, and Chinese have documented the use of scaffolding for constructing tall buildings, using rudimentary scaffolds made of wood and tied at the top with ropes. Incidents involving scaffolding account for 4,500 workplace injuries and 50 deaths per year.
These temporary structures are often used in constructing, maintaining, or repairing buildings, bridges, and other man-made structures by supporting work crews and materials. Scaffolding is a temporary structure that is typically made from metal poles and wood planks and used to support construction workers, inspectors, cleaners, and others who need to work at height. Scaffolds and scaffold components shall be inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift, and after any occurrence, which could affect a scaffold's structural integrity. Any part of a scaffold damaged or weakened such that its strength is significantly weakened shall be immediately repaired or replaced, braced, or removed from service until repaired. Many times, workers are required to construct the scaffolding they are going to work on while in other areas the scaffolding will be constructed for them.
Improperly built structures or unsafe use, however, can lead to serious injury or even death. The best solution for a particular job will depend on factors such as the loads that will be present on work platforms, providing workers with safe access and fall protection, and the number of work levels. On scaffolds where scaffold planks are abutted to create a long platform, each abutted end shall rest on a separate support surface. This provision does not preclude the use of common support members such as "T" sections, to support abutting planks, or hook on platforms designed to rest on common supports. On scaffolds where platforms are overlapped to create a long platform, the overlap shall occur only over supports, and shall not be less than 12 inches unless the platforms are nailed together or otherwise restrained to prevent movement. OSHA requires that each suspension rope, including connecting hardware, for non-adjustable or adjustable suspension scaffolds should be capable of supporting at least six times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to that rope without failure.
Each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet above a lower level must have fall protection to keep them from falling to that lower level. A competent person must determine the feasibility and safety of providing fall protection for employees erecting and dismantling supported scaffolds. Employers are also required to provide fall protection for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds where the installation and use of such protection is feasible and does not create a greater hazard. Effective September 1997, employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds shall be provided with a safe means of access where the provision of safe access is feasible and does not create a greater hazard. The employer shall have a competent person determine whether it is feasible or would pose a greater hazard to provide, and have employees use a safe means of access.
In certain instances, the design of scaffolds requires the expertise of a Professional Engineer, such as for tubular welded frame scaffolds exceeding 125 feet in height. Since that regulation also requires that the scaffold be constructed and loaded in accordance with that design, this means the scaffold erector and user must be trained. The primary difference is that a competent person may be able to identify a hazard but may not have the knowledge to determine a solution in order to mitigate the hazard; the qualified person can give the competent person that solution.
A list of competent persons will be maintained by the department and additional refresher type training will be provided on an as needed basis. The periodicity of this training to be determined by EHS and the department’s management, but should not exceed a period of 5 years from the previous training. The department also to provide competent person with document indicating that they are competent persons representing their respective departments and shall agree to uphold all local, state, and federal rules and regulations as they relate to scaffolding.
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