1 Scaffolding Safety

2 The Cost of Poor Scaffolding Safety Every year: 50 deaths 4,500 injuries 25% of injured workers had no safety training

3 Types of Scaffolding: Supported One or more platforms braced by: –Beams –Brackets –Poles, or –Other rigid support Most common type of scaffolding

4 Types of Scaffolding: Suspended Platforms suspended by ropes or cables from an overhead structure Two-point “swing stage” most common Used by window washers and in high-rise construction

5 So What are the Hazards? Falls Collapses Struck-by injuries Electrocution

6 Hazard #1: Falls Falls are the primary cause of fatalities How they happen: –Unstable working surfaces –Misuse of fall protection equipment –Human error

7 Fall Safety Solutions Personal Fall System –Harness, attached by lanyard to lifeline –Must be fastened to a fixed safe point Guardrails, midrails, and toeboards –Installed along sides, ends of platforms –Has to withstand a force of at least 200 lbs. Screens, mesh, etc.

8 Personal Fall Systems Above 6 feet Keeps both hands free Used when working near an open edge Slows speed, momentum if you fall

9 Personal Fall Systems Key to safety: Inspection! Check your rescue line and hooks for damage Is your weight system certified?

10 Guardrail Systems Top rails: 39”-45” above walking level Midrails: Between top edge of guardrail and walking level Toeboards: Prevent equipment, materials from falling over edge Absolutely no rough/jagged surfaces!

11 Hazard #2: Collapses Scaffolds collapse when the structure is:  Unstable  Overloaded When a scaffold collapses, safety’s compromised for everyone!

12 Collapse Solutions: Inspections Key to safe scaffolding: Inspections Who does it: –Trained erectors/dismantlers –They are involved in pre-planning When it gets done: –Before every shift –After any damaging event

13 Collapse Solutions: Inspections What goes into an inspection? –Power line position –Location of tools, materials –Can it handle the weight? The weather? –Footings –Foundations –Metal –Planks

14 Hazard #3: Struck-bys Falling/flying objects a risk for anyone underneath scaffolding Dropped tools/equipment; debris from pushing, pulling, prying Unstable objects: boxes, barrels, bricks Result: Minor abrasions, concussions, even death

15 Solutions: Overhead and Underneath If you’re overhead: –Secure materials –Post warning signs; put up barricades –Use debris nets If you’re underneath: –Avoid being underneath –Wear your hard hat

16 Summary Wear personal fall protection Set up guardrails Regularly inspect scaffolds Keep equipment secure Post warning signs Wear your hard hat Report any hazard you see