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Safety Precautions on Scaffoldings

Improperly installed or unsafe operation of scaffolds can prove extremely hazardous to the health of workers. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), about 4,500 injuries and 50 deaths occur in the United States each year due to scaffolding mishaps, resulting in $90 million in lost work time. What follows is a list of general safety precautions that should be observed.

  1. Inspection

    • The scaffold should always be inspected before and during each use to be certain it is in compliance with all safety codes. Make sure there are no missing parts, and no parts should be removed without permission from safety authorities. Written scaffolding safety guidelines should be posted in a highly visible area near the scaffold and should be used as a guide for inspection.

    Overloading

    • Avoid placing too much weight on the scaffold. The specifications of the manufacturer should always be followed when loading. As a rule, a 4-to-1 safety factor should be observed, which means that a scaffold should be able to support at least four times its intended load.

    Securing

    • The scaffold should be tied securely to the building using heavy wire. The following guidelines should be observed: For vertical ties, the first one should be secured at a height that is no more than four times the narrowest base dimension, with additional ties not to exceed a height of 26 feet between each one. The distance between horizontal ties should not exceed 30 feet.

    Bracing

    • Be certain that bracing at all the required positions is in place. If necessary, add additional bracing at areas that may require additional stability. A combination of cross, diagonal, and horizontal bracing can be applied, with horizontal diagonal being used toward the bottom of the scaffold. Braces should never be climbed; only the proper ladders should be used to ascend the scaffold.

    Guardrails

    • According to OSHA, only 33 percent of scaffolds make use of guardrails. To ensure proper safety, double guard rails should always be used on all open sides at heights of more than 6 feet. For additional safety, midrails and toe boards should also be used. Guardrails should measure at least 2 inches by 4 inches and be between 36 and 42 inches in height.

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