Scaffold Safety

[Snagglefoot]

Although scaffolds are typically way safer than ladders, I have witnessed near misses when using them. One of the problems is that typically the height from ground to the first horizontal bar does not match the distance between the rest of the bars. This is because of the larger wheels and brake mechanism on the commercial units. A guy climbs down from the scaffold and instinctively his foot is expecting to touch the ground but the ground is not there... it’s a few inches lower. Result, the guy tumbles onto the ground. Makes for a good laugh from the other workers but can result in a broken limb or worse.

One other tip is to have both hands on the ladder and don’t carry a tool with one hand while climbing down.

Any other tips?

 

[Danno]

I'm working on a project with a home scale scaffold. This one.

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/metaltech-12-ft-safeclimb-baker-style-tower/1001564243

I use a step ladder to get on the scaffold platform. Much safer imo and easier on the body.
The other thing I do is use a smaller Gorilla step ladder on the scaffold. The scaffold platform is about 5' feet up, and I need to reach up to 14'.
Might not be recommended but gives me the varying height reach I need without disassembling/reassembling the platform.
Oh, and lock your wheels when working.

 

[Duffyjr]

If you can get rid of the wheels, I've seen more accidents because they didn't lock the wheels or they came unlocked.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I'm working on a project with a home scale scaffold. This one.

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/metaltech-12-ft-safeclimb-baker-style-tower/1001564243

I use a step ladder to get on the scaffold platform. Much safer imo and easier on the body.
The other thing I do is use a smaller Gorilla step ladder on the scaffold. The scaffold platform is about 5' feet up, and I need to reach up to 14'.
Might not be recommended but gives me the varying height reach I need without disassembling/reassembling the platform.
Oh, and lock your wheels when working.

Liking the 747 wheels!

 

[Creekside]

Anything over 48” from the ground without an engineered hand rail and a toe board requires a fall restraint where I work. I can’t even move a scissor lift without one. We are also required to use lanyards on the harness so anything less than about 10’ you’re still gonna hit the floor but that’s the rules.

 

[Rand]

engineered for outdoor use? for houses that have asphalt or concrete 3" from the foundation?

 

[JTK]

We use scaffolding contractors all the time at the plant so we can access areas for maintenance. They generally know the fundamentals of making the scaffolding safe, but you absolutely cannot rely on that alone.

We make sure to have the plant guys who are doing the work give the setup a once-over related to the scope of work needed to be done before the scaffolding gets signed off on.

From there the scaffolding gets inspected and signed off on daily.

I wish I could show some pics of some of these setups.

 

[55hambone]

Part of the problem is that when climbing a scaffold, you are going straight up, not at a 75 degree angle as you would on a ladder. It's harder to see what is under you when you are coming down The users need to use a rope to bring tools and materials up to the work platform so that both hands are available for ascending and descending. Users should be aware that when coming down, they should be holding on until their foot is on a solid surface. Don't use a stepladder to gain access to the work platform. Too often as you make the transition from ladder to scaffold the ladder will move away from the scaffold and the worker hits the floor. And definitely don't use a ladder on the scaffold. If the scaffold isn't tall enough, add sections to the scaffold or make other plans like a scissor lift or boom lift. OSHA requires fall protection on scaffolds starting at ten feet. Hand rails would be ideal, otherwise a harness and lanyard. The nylon expandable lanyards will let you hit the ground if your anchor point is less than twenty feet above the floor. Retractable lanyards work like a seat belt and stop your fall within two feet. Falls, whether from height or while on the floor, are the leading cause of death on construction sites. Don't take chances.

 

[volk06]

Part of the problem is that when climbing a scaffold, you are going straight up, not at a 75 degree angle as you would on a ladder. It's harder to see what is under you when you are coming down The users need to use a rope to bring tools and materials up to the work platform so that both hands are available for ascending and descending. Users should be aware that when coming down, they should be holding on until their foot is on a solid surface. Don't use a stepladder to gain access to the work platform. Too often as you make the transition from ladder to scaffold the ladder will move away from the scaffold and the worker hits the floor. And definitely don't use a ladder on the scaffold. If the scaffold isn't tall enough, add sections to the scaffold or make other plans like a scissor lift or boom lift. OSHA requires fall protection on scaffolds starting at ten feet. Hand rails would be ideal, otherwise a harness and lanyard. The nylon expandable lanyards will let you hit the ground if your anchor point is less than twenty feet above the floor. Retractable lanyards work like a seat belt and stop your fall within two feet. Falls, whether from height or while on the floor, are the leading cause of death on construction sites. Don't take chances.

Also depends on what you're doing. If you're building the scaffold, then 10' height is in play. If you're using the scaffold as a work platform then the 4' or 6' trigger height comes into play for fall protection, not the 10'. Problem is that you can't legally anchor to a portable scaffold, doesn't meet the requirements for an anchor point (unless it is secured to the structure but that's another situation). Putting up the railing system is the best solution.

 

[volk06]

Anything over 48” from the ground without an engineered hand rail and a toe board requires a fall restraint where I work. I can’t even move a scissor lift without one. We are also required to use lanyards on the harness so anything less than about 10’ you’re still gonna hit the floor but that’s the rules.

Fall restraint or fall arrest?

Yep, a lot of companies go overboard. As long as the scissor lift has a railing and gate that closes, Federal OSHA (state programs may differ) doesn't require a harness and lanyard as you have a complete railing system as fall protection.

I wish they would have made general industry match with construction using the 6' trigger height instead of 4'. Theory is that your body will still hit the ground but your head shouldn't, using a SRL that is. A standard 6' fixed length lanyard, you're in trouble.

 

[55hambone]

Also depends on what you're doing. If you're building the scaffold, then 10' height is in play. If you're using the scaffold as a work platform then the 4' or 6' trigger height comes into play for fall protection, not the 10'. Problem is that you can't legally anchor to a portable scaffold, doesn't meet the requirements for an anchor point (unless it is secured to the structure but that's another situation). Putting up the railing system is the best solution.

If you can install the railing system on a scaffold that is indeed the best solution. With the railings the need for a harness, lanyard and anchor point is done away with. Here's the OSHA standard for fall protection on scaffolds:

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.

The OSHA standards have different fall protection requirements for different situations. In general industry, fall protection is required at 4'. In construction, fall protection is required at 6'. Fall protection is not required on a portable ladder (extension ladder or step ladder). For ironworkers engaged in steel erection, fall protection isn't required until 15 feet.

OSHA provides the minimum requirement and it is not uncommon for contractors to exceed the OSHA requirements. That can cause confusion as to what OSHA actually requires.

 

[volk06]

If you can install the railing system on a scaffold that is indeed the best solution. With the railings the need for a harness, lanyard and anchor point is done away with. Here's the OSHA standard for fall protection on scaffolds:

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.

The OSHA standards have different fall protection requirements for different situations. In general industry, fall protection is required at 4'. In construction, fall protection is required at 6'. Fall protection is not required on a portable ladder (extension ladder or step ladder). For ironworkers engaged in steel erection, fall protection isn't required until 15 feet.

OSHA provides the minimum requirement and it is not uncommon for contractors to exceed the OSHA requirements. That can cause confusion as to what OSHA actually requires.

I’m well aware, that’s why I said railings are the best solution, as I worked safety in construction for 6 years and now in general industry. No need cite code or explain for me lol. Also depends if you have to follow federal or state plans. Lots of scenarios that are too long to discuss on a forum. For instance if your employer falls under 1910 and you set up a scaffold, the 1926 10’ probably doesn’t apply and have to follow the 4’ rule.