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