You are on page 1of 9

H+M Company, Inc.

Procedure Manual

Scaffold Safety

Procedure No.: SHP 47 Original Date: 1/1/99 Revision Date: 7/2002 Page 1 of 10

PURPOSE This procedure provides requirements for erecting and dismantling elevated work platforms. SCOPE This procedure applies to all H+M Company, Inc. activities. DEFINITIONS Fixed Scaffolds includes the following: tubular welded frame scaffolds, bracket scaffolds, tube and coupler (Tube-lox) scaffolds, wood-pole scaffolds, and trestle scaffolds. Suspended Scaffolds includes the following: two-point suspended scaffolds, multilevel suspended scaffolds, floats, needle-beam scaffolds, boatswains chair, and electric hoist platform. Competent person One who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions related to scaffolding which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. REQUIREMENTS General Requirements 1. Each project shall designate a scaffold competent person(s). This designation shall be made in writing and the individuals qualifications shall be documented. 2. Each project shall conduct training regarding the safe erection and dismantling of scaffolds for all employees involved in those activities. The training shall comply with the current version of OSHAs scaffolding standards. 3. Each project shall conduct safety training for all users of scaffolds in accordance with the latest version of OSHAs scaffolding standards. 4. All working platforms shall be capable of sustaining a minimum-working load of 75 psi on 6-foot spans or have a safety factor of 4 to 1 for the intended load. 5. Posts shall be plumb, and scaffold platforms shall be level.

H+M Company, Inc.

Procedure Manual

Scaffold Safety

Procedure No.: SHP 47 Original Date: 1/1/99 Revision Date: 7/2002 Page 2 of 10

6. A stationary scaffold shall be secured to the building or a fixed structure vertically every 25 feet starting at the base of the scaffold and horizontally every 30 feet. This rule shall also apply to rolling scaffolds at their working stations. Outriggers may be used in lieu of tying off, or scaffolds may be clamped together so that the height does not exceed three times the smallest base dimension without additional stabilization. 7. A qualified engineer shall determine the structural integrity of structural steel, reinforcing steel, and concrete or building members before attachment of scaffolds by bracing or tying off. 8. Where persons are required to work or walk under scaffolding, a screen guard of No. 18 gauge -inch wire mesh or equivalent shall be provided between the toe board and handrail. 9. All workers shall tie off with a safety harness when there is no (or an incomplete) handrail, when there are openings over 12 inches in the working platform, or when on suspended working platforms. 10. Swinging stages, floats, and boatswains chairs shall be tested before using (Test by applying a dead load with the unit close to the floor or ground). 11. Crews requiring scaffolds shall inspect all components for defects as the erection proceeds. Any components found to be defective shall be set aside and tagged for repair or disposal. 12. Scaffold erection crews shall inspect all components for defects as the erection proceeds. Any components found to be defective shall be set aside and tagged for repair or disposal. 13. Daily inspections of the scaffolds shall be performed by the competent person. All defects shall be corrected at once or the scaffold shall have a red tag attached. 14. Scaffold handrails shall be about 42 inches above the platform. The minimum distance between the handrail and the platform is 38 inches. The 38 inches allows for overlap of the scaffold planks.

Fixed Scaffold Requirements Tubular Welded-Frame Scaffold Requirements

H+M Company, Inc.

Procedure Manual

Scaffold Safety

Procedure No.: SHP 47 Original Date: 1/1/99 Revision Date: 7/2002 Page 3 of 10

Scaffolds of 10 feet or more in height shall include diagonal braces, handrails, mid-rails, toe boards, and 2 x 10 inch or 2 x 12 inch scaffold planks or manufactured scaffold decking to provide a complete working deck without gaps or openings. Corner posts shall have the metal feet in place. On soft ground, wooden sills of a least 2 x 10 inch lumber or equivalent shall be provided. Scaffold planks shall be painted on each end to designate them as inspected planks to be used only for scaffolding and as marking for overhang limits. When scaffold sections are erected, only scaffold pins or equivalent are to be used for the corner-post connections. (Do not use tie-wire or welding rods.) All scaffold posts shall be pinned together. When casters are used for a rolling scaffold, they shall be locked except when the scaffold is being moved. No one shall be permitted on a scaffold while it is being moved. Casters shall be designed to carry the intended load of the scaffold. Scaffold screw jacks shall be extended in accordance with manufacturers recommendations, but in no case shall they be extended in excess of 12 inches. Whenever screw jacks and caster wheels are not used. Metal base plates must be used for adequate base support. All supports are to be pinned and secured. Scaffolds shall have solid footing and shall be erected so that vertical members are plumb and the platform is as horizontal as practical. Scaffold planks are to be cleated, wired down, or otherwise secured against accidental displacement. Wedge shims shall not be used. Work from incomplete scaffolds, when approved by the competent person, requires that the employee take added precautions. Safety harnesses shall be worn if handrails are missing, if the platform is incomplete, or if other fall hazards exist.

Horizontal braces of 2 x 4 inch lumber or equivalent shall be secured across corner posts when it is necessary to remove the diagonal braces. Diagonal braces shall not be removed from more than one section in a series of sections unless there are four braced sections between them. Ladders shall be used if access to the scaffold platform is blocked or if the scaffold-climbing devices are more than 16 inches apart.

H+M Company, Inc.

Procedure Manual

Scaffold Safety

Procedure No.: SHP 47 Original Date: 1/1/99 Revision Date: 7/2002 Page 4 of 10

Before use, every scaffold higher than 125 feet must be inspected and approved by a registered professional engineer (trained in scaffolding) and the EH&S professional. This inspection shall be documented and filed at the EH&S office. Toe boards shall be secured in a firm manner by interlocking at the corner posts with notches, wiring, nailing, U-clamping to the bearing members, or by use of approved commercial toe-board systems. Employees gaining access to scaffolds shall have both hands free at all times and shall use the hand-over-hand method of climbing on the rungs. Employees shall not use toe boards as handholds or footholds to gain access to the platform.

Bracket Scaffold Requirements (on reinforcing steel wall installations): Where more than one layer of horizontal bars has been placed, and conditions permit, the scaffold shall be secured to an inside horizontal bar. If conditions do not permit attaching the bracket scaffold to an inside horizontal bar, the scaffold shall be secured with a minimum of three 3/8-inch diameter U-bolts attached to each end and the middle of the outer horizontal or vertical bar. The horizontal reinforcing bar shall be secured to a vertical reinforcing bar that is either embedded in concrete or has been spliced by an approved method. Each scaffold shall have a 4-foot x -inch safety chain attached to the ends of the scaffold and secured to an inner rebar other than the bar that is supporting the scaffold. Guardrails and toe boards shall be installed on all open sides and ends of scaffolds. No more than three persons plus the necessary tools and equipment shall be permitted on a single scaffold section at any time. The load is not to go beyond the scaffolds designed capacity. Bracket scaffolds shall be constructed to support 1,550 pounds, and the capacity shall be posted on the scaffold. Workers with safety harnesses shall have the lanyard secured above the point of operations, but under no circumstances shall it be attached to the scaffold. Scaffold may be painted caution yellow to give adjacent crane operators a better perspective when working close to scaffolds during the day or night. Tube and Coupler (Tube-lox Scaffolds)

H+M Company, Inc.

Procedure Manual

Scaffold Safety

Procedure No.: SHP 47 Original Date: 1/1/99 Revision Date: 7/2002 Page 5 of 10

Posts shall be erected on required bases and maintained plumb. Diagonal cross-bracing shall be provided as follows: 1. Horizontally every third section 2. Vertically every fourth section 3. Whenever posts are further apart than 7 feet, the braces shall be at a 45-degree angle.

Runners shall be erected along each side versus the scaffold at the bottom and top of each section. Bearers and braces shall extend past the posts a minimum of 4 inches but not more than 12 inches. Extensions of these shall not protrude into walking or climbing areas.

Suspended Scaffold Requirements Two-Point Suspended Scaffold These scaffolds shall have standard toe boards, mid-rails, and handrails. A lifeline for each worker shall be provided and secured independently from the scaffold support lines. Workers shall be tied off at all times when on the scaffold, using a triple sliding hitch or catch hardware. Workers must be provided with a safe method of moving to and from the scaffold. When moving the scaffold roof supports, workers must remain behind the guardrail or, if there is no guardrail, be tied off with a safety harness to an independent support. Protection for areas below the work shall be provided by using signs and barricades and screened staging, when applicable. Workers shall not lower the scaffold below the point of three turns of the supporting cables on the drum of a swinging stage scaffold. Supporting cables shall be marked or painted to include limits. Workers shall check the loading on the stage 1 foot off the ground before using it.

H+M Company, Inc.

Procedure Manual

Scaffold Safety

Procedure No.: SHP 47 Original Date: 1/1/99 Revision Date: 7/2002 Page 6 of 10

Outrigger beams, when required, should extend from 1 foot to 6 feet beyond the edge of the building, and the inboard length from the fulcrum should be at least 1 times the outboard length from the fulcrum. A mechanical stop to retain the supporting cables shall be secured at the outer end of the outrigger. If cornice hooks are used, each hook must be tied back to something solid. All hooks must be latched or moused.

Multilevel Suspended Scaffolds Requirements Multilevel suspended scaffolds are used primarily for large-area vertical work such as installation of siding. The rules listed for two-part suspended scaffolds apply here, except those rules for tie-off: 1. Multilevel suspended scaffolds shall have two lifelines attached to the scaffold, independent of the supporting lines. 2. Workers on the top stage will tie off with a safety harness to an independent lifeline. 3. Workers on the lower stages will tie off with a safety harness to the scaffold itself.

Needle-Beam Scaffolds Needle-beam scaffolds shall be supported by 1-inch manila rope, -inch wire rope cable, -inch or high-test chain or equivalent, using a standard scaffold hitch or eye splice. Supports on the beam shall not be more than 8 feet apart for the 4 x 6 inch timbers. Needle-beams shall be at least 4 x 6 inch construction-grade lumber, with a minimum of 1,500 psi fiber stress, The platform span between needle-beams shall not exceed 8 feet when 2inch scaffold plank is used. Handrails and toe boards shall be used, and workers shall wear safety harnesses.

Boatswains Chair Seats shall be minimum of 12 inches x 24 inches and 2 inches thick. Splitting the board shall be prevented by cleats fastened on the underside.

H+M Company, Inc.

Procedure Manual

Scaffold Safety

Procedure No.: SHP 47 Original Date: 1/1/99 Revision Date: 7/2002 Page 7 of 10

Boatswains chairs shall be suspended with the standard 5/8-inch nylon rope boatswains sling through four corner holes. The worker shall be tied off to an independent lifeline with a safety harness.

Electric Hoist Platforms When working platforms are suspended from electric hoist mechanisms and used to raise and lower workers, a safety harness shall be worn and attached to an independently secured lifeline. Such platforms shall have sides 42 inches in height above the platform. Prior to each use, the hoist mechanism shall be visually inspected and the load support checked at 1 foot off the ground. The cable and the lay of the cable on the spool shall be checked constantly.

Scaffold Erection and Dismantling Requirements 1. Pockets, pouches, and tool belts shall be used to carry the necessary tools for the work. 2. Scaffold members shall be hoisted or lowered with a hand line or passed form hand to hand. Throwing items up to coworkers or dropping them is not permitted. 3. Constant fall prevention measures must be maintained. Provisions shall be established for using a safety harness and working on firm scaffold decks when this can be done safely. 4. Scaffold feet shall be established on a firm and level base of support. 5. When scaffolds are to be secured to fixed structures or outriggers are to be used; they shall be installed as soon as possible. When dismantling a scaffold, these should be left on as long as practical. 6. The coordination of this activity with surrounding operations and environment shall be given prior consideration. Mounting and Dismounting Scaffold Requirements 1. Do not carry objects in hands, but keep both hands empty for climbing handholds.

H+M Company, Inc.

Procedure Manual

Scaffold Safety

Procedure No.: SHP 47 Original Date: 1/1/99 Revision Date: 7/2002 Page 8 of 10

2. Step only on secured ladder or access rungs. 3. Give full attention to stability while getting on and off the working platform. Do not use the toe board as a handhold or foothold. 4. Pay attention to each step and handhold; most falls occur near the top of the ladder or near the bottom. Scaffold Tagging 1. General Scaffold Tagging Requirements A green scaffold tag (Form 56-181) designates a complete scaffold as defined by the manufacturer and/or OSHA. A yellow scaffold tag (Form 56-287) designates a scaffold which is safe to use but has been altered to suit a specific job. A yellow scaffold tag shall detail any hazards (incomplete handrail, incomplete decking, low overhead, limited climbing clearance, etc.) and the necessary protective measures. If a scaffold is in the process of being erected, changed, or dismantled, it shall have a red tap (Form 56-180). A scaffold which has a red scaffold tag shall be considered unsafe and shall not be used. If a scaffold has been damaged or is defective, a red tag must be attached.

Installation and Removal of Scaffold Tags A competent person shall determine whether a usable scaffold receives a yellow or a green tag. S/He shall be responsible for completing all pertinent information on the tag and affixing the tag. The scaffold tag shall be affixed to each scaffold access ladder approximately 5 feet, 6 inches from its base, where it will not interfere with normal access. Anyone may remove a green or yellow scaffold tag if the scaffold does not meet the requirements, e.g., a scaffold, which has been damaged, has been improperly modified, is missing components, or is deficient in any safety aspect. A red tag will be used in these circumstances. Only a competent person in scaffold erection may place a yellow or green scaffold tag on a scaffold. After a scaffold has been repaired, a scaffold competent person shall inspect it and re-tag it accordingly. Daily inspections shall be performed to ensure that all scaffolds are in safe condition and tags are legible.

H+M Company, Inc.

Procedure Manual

Scaffold Safety

Procedure No.: SHP 47 Original Date: 1/1/99 Revision Date: 7/2002 Page 9 of 10

Inspection and Testing Scaffold Planks 1. Scaffold planks shall be inspected and tested by a designated competent person upon receipt and prior to use as a platform. Users shall examine planks visually prior to each use. 2. Examine planks for knots, excessive grain slope, shakes, decay, dry rot, and other defects. 3. Density of lumber should be equivalent to Douglas fir and capable of supporting four times the intended load. Moisture content should not exceed 20 percent. 4. All scaffold planks shall be scaffold grade or equivalent as recognized by approved grading rules. 5. Planks shall be 2 x 10 inch or 2 x 12 inch heavy duty (75 psi on 6 foot span lumber). 6. Discard the plank as a scaffold plank if evidence of a defect is noted. 7. Requirements 4.7.3 and 4.7.5 above should be specified on the purchase requisition. Special Scaffolding Any scaffold which must be specially adapted to the work place where the requirements above cannot be met must be approved by a qualified registered professional engineer, the resident manager, and environmental, safety and health professional. Storage of Scaffolding 1. Scaffold materials shall be temporarily stored in a manner that will protect and prevent damage to them. 2. Scaffold materials shall not be left in work areas where they obstruct traffic and/or cause fire hazards. Forms Required Form 27-01, Do Not Use Scaffold Tag (Red) Form 27-02, Completed Scaffold Tag (Green) Form 27-03, Modified Scaffold Tag (Yellow)

You might also like