Scaffold User Training

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.452(a) requires that any employee accessing a scaffold shall be trained in the nature of any electrical hazards, fall hazards and falling object hazards in the work area, the correct procedures for dealing with electrical hazards and for erecting, maintaining, and disassembling the fall protection systems and falling object protection systems being used, the proper use of the scaffold and the proper handling of materials on the scaffold, the maximum intended load and the load carrying capacities of the scaffolds used and any other pertinent requirement of this subpart. The five most serious scaffold hazards are falls, access, electrical, collapse and struck by.

Use

• Scaffolds and scaffold components shall not be loaded in excess of their maximum intended loads or rated capacities, whichever is less. Be sure to know the rated capacity of the scaffold before working from it. A four to one safety factor is required to be built into all scaffold structures.
• Shore or lean to scaffolds are prohibited.
• Scaffold 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. Employees shall also visually inspect the scaffold before gaining access.
• Scaffold shall not be moved horizontally while employee are on them.
• Scaffold shall not be erected, used, dismantled, altered or moved such that they or any conductive material handled on them might come closer to exposed and energized power lines than as follows: Insulated lines less than 300 volts minimum distance 3 feet, 300 volts to 50 kv minimum distance 10 feet, more than 50 kv minimum distance 10 feet plus 0.4 inches for each 1 kv over 50 kv. Uninsulated lines less than 50 kv minimum distance 10 feet, more than 50 kv minimum distance 10 feet plus 0.4 inches for each 1 kv over 50 kv.
• Scaffold shall be erected, moved, dismantled or altered only under the supervision and direction of a competent person.
• Employees are prohibited from working on scaffolds covered with snow, ice or other slippery materials except as necessary for removal of such materials or during storms or high winds.
• Where swinging loads are being hoisted onto or near scaffolds such that loads might contact the scaffold, tag lines or equivalent measures to control the loads shall be used.
• Debris shall not be allowed to accumulate on platforms.
• Makeshift devices, such as but not limited to boxes and barrels, or ladders shall not be used on scaffold platforms to increase the working level height of employees.

Fall Protection

• Guardrail – Top rail installed between 38” and 45”, mid rail between platform and top rail.
• Personal Fall Arrest System – Anchor point must be capable of withstanding a force of 5000 lbs per man.

Falling Object Protection

• Hard hats shall always be worn on scaffolding.
• Area below scaffolding shall be barricaded and employees shall not enter or toe boards shall be installed.

Rolling Scaffold

• Height to base ratio greater than 4 to 1 stabilizers are required
• Employees shall not ride on scaffolds and wheels must be locked while in use.

General Requirement

• Base plates must be placed under each leg and secured if potential for lateral movement exists
• Wood planks shall be of 2” x 10” scaffold plank grade wood.
• The bottom rung on attachable ladder shall not be more that 24” off supporting level.

Scaffold Tagging

• Review site requirement before accessing scaffold. Gribbins Insulation scaffold tagging is as follows:
  • Green Tag – the scaffold is 100% complete with top rail, mid rail and toe boards. Fall protection is not required while working from scaffold, but may be required when climbing scaffold ladder.
  • Yellow Tag – the scaffold is accessible, but there are hazards. Read the tag before getting on and follow tagging instructions.
  • Red Tag – the scaffold is not complete, DO NOT USE
• Before getting on the scaffold check the tag to ensure it has been inspected that shift by a competent person.