Recent Scaffolding Safety Guidelines [Updated ]

Posted on March 13, in News

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) imposes mandatory scaffolding regulations that companies must follow. State governments can also introduce additional localized laws to strengthen safety protocols when needed. 

Please visit our website for more information on this topic.

Scaffolding regulations at the federal and state levels tend to change over time as new legislation passes. As such, employers must actively stay on top of the evolving regulatory updates.

These rules cover all aspects of scaffolding work&#;from the physical construction and design to determining who provides training for employees working at height.

 Read on to learn more about the latest scaffolding guidelines as of .

Important Recent Scaffolding Safety Guidelines

There are several important scaffolding design guidelines and safety rules that pertain to working on a scaffold:

• Guardrails and/or fall arrest systems are mandatory when working over 10 feet up.
• Guardrails should be between 38&#; and 45&#; high.
• Scaffold platforms must be fully decked or planked.
• You must secure a supported scaffolding with a height-to-base ratio of over 4:1 by guying, tying, or bracing it.
• Scaffolds must be able to hold up to four times their maximum load.
• A Competent person must perform an inspection before each work shift.
• Employers must train all employees working at height on proper safety rules.
• Do not violate clearances from electrical power lines as allowed in .451(f)(6). In Virginia, the minimum clearance is 10 Feet from power lines.
• Do not bridge two scaffolds with walkways unless designed by a qualified person.
• Do not use the scaffold unless you and the people below are using proper falling object protection.
• Do not use scaffolds during storms, lightning, or high winds.
• Do not work on ice or snow-covered platforms.
• Do not use a scaffold if it is not plumb, square, and rigid.
• Do not alter the scaffold. A trained crew may only perform scaffold alteration under the supervision of a competent person.

These requirements for scaffolding safety come directly from OSHA standards.

Construction & Design Requirements

Scaffolding systems need to be designed and built in a certain way to be deemed safe. Different regulations apply to different types of scaffolding systems, such as supported scaffolds versus suspension platforms. However, the general premise is to ensure the structure that is installed and is being used by workers is secure and safe.

Guardrails, Midrails, and Cross Bracing

In most circumstances, OSHA requires guardrail installation on supported scaffolds at heights over 10 feet. Install guardrails between 38 and 45 inches high and place the midrails at about half that height.

When used to support the top rail for the guardrail, cross bracing should reach the required height of between 38 and 45 inches. Do not build the top rails on guardrails from steel or plastic banding. It should be sturdy enough to stop a fall.

Platforms

Planking installed on a scaffold must support at least four times its intended load, plus its own weight, without failure. It shouldn&#;t deflect more than 1/60 of its length between supports. You should build working platforms from solid wood or fabricated planks. 

Do not overload the platform with more than its intended loading capacity. Avoid extending working maximum heights by climbing guardrails or using boxes or ladders on the platform.  

Scaffolding Support/Restraints

You must use guying, ties, or other restraints when the scaffolding height-to-base ratio exceeds 4:1 to prevent it from tipping. 

Install restraints every 20 vertical feet for widths less than three feet or 26 feet for widths over three feet. Install horizontal braces at each end and no more than 30 feet apart from one end.

Scaffolding Capacity

The O.S.H.A required &#;factor of safety&#; for scaffolding design capacity is that a scaffold component and structure needs to support a minimum of four times(4X)  the intended load. All workers, materials, and equipment placed upon the scaffold must never exceed the intended load or maximum capacity, whichever is lower.

Maintenance & Upkeep

Given the risks associated with working on scaffolds, keeping them well-maintained at all times is important. Be sure to wash them down after each job and inspect the scaffolding&#; for broken or damaged components.

Inspection Frequency

Frequent inspections are central to maintenance and the safe use of scaffolding. A &#;Competent Person&#; as defined in the O.S.H.A. standards must inspect the scaffold at the start of every shift. They must also recheck it if anything happens that might weaken its structure. Always inspect the scaffold thoroughly after it&#;s moved or damaged to ensure its safety.

Qualified Person

A qualified &#;Competent Person&#; is someone who has received the training and education needed to perform specific tasks. This usually means they have earned a certification validating their knowledge and skill in scaffold building. 

Pedestrian Safety/Object Protection Safety

Protect bystanders and objects below with multiple layers of defense. Barricades clearly demarcate the danger zone, while overhead canopies or debris netting directly stop falling materials. This layered approach prioritizes both worker and public safety.

4 Most Common Scaffolding Safety Failures

There are four common scaffolding safety failures that you should be aware of:

1. Overloading a scaffold.
2. A contractor removes scaffold support members or alters the scaffold. 
3. Bad housekeeping&#;leaving extra debris, which can lead to slips, trips, and falls.
4. Unstable Base/Footing: Mudsills and Baseplates are not adequately secured or tightened.

How to Wash and Clean Scaffolding

The best way to clean/wash a scaffold is to have all the components disassembled and on the ground. Use a pressure washer to remove dirt, debris, grease, or cement splashes. Use a mild soap or degreasing agent to remove tricky oils or grease. Never use harsh chemicals that could eat away at the integrity of the metal.  

Ensure the pressure washer is at a low setting to avoid damaging components such as the scaffold boards or wooden planks. Cleaning an undismantled scaffold requires extreme caution. During pressure washing, pay close attention to prevent loosening or disengaging any components, as this could compromise safety.

Personal Safety Requirements For The Safe Use Of Scaffolding

Individuals working at height are just as responsible for their safety as their employers. That said, there are some items that employers must provide for their employees to ensure their safety.

Personal Fall Arrest Systems

Workers at heights over 10 feet must use a fall arrest system or guardrails. OSHA regulations require that one or two-point suspension scaffolds have both.

However, we recommend using guardrails and/or fall arrest systems when working over 6 feet up. You should also implement toeboards and/or debris netting to shield individuals and objects below from falling materials. Furthermore, secure all tools that could fall using tool tether lanyards.

Personal fall protection systems include harnesses, belts, snap hooks, lifelines, D-rings, and anchorage points. State laws may require additional personal protective equipment (PPE). It is typically the employer&#;s responsibility to provide that equipment. 

Falling Object Protection

Employees must wear hard hats while on the worksite to protect them from falling objects, such as tools, debris, etc. In addition, OSHA standards require the installation of toeboards, screens, nets, or barricades to catch falling items.

Training

A qualified person must train employees on the hazards of working at height and the procedures to mitigate those risks. A competent person must also train those who assemble, move, repair, maintain, inspect, or operate scaffolds.

Zolo Product Page

Recommended article:
10 Questions You Should to Know about Perforated Sheet Suppliers
Demystifying Formwork: Everything You Need to Know
GFS Agricultural Water Storage Tanks: Meeting Farming Needs
Redispersible Polymer Powder: The Secret Ingredient in Durable Construction Materials
Why B2B Customers Should Prioritize the Reliability of Hydraulic Elevator Dams
Reducing Maintenance Costs: The Economic Benefits of Rubber Dams
Crossflow Fill vs. Counterflow Fill: Which Is Better for Cooling Tower Performance?

Employers must retrain employees who they feel lack the proficiency or knowledge to work safely. Retraining is also required if no training has occurred after changes have been made to the worksite.

Complying With Scaffolding Safety Guidelines

Of course, this is just a sampling of many scaffolding safety guidelines. Many more rules apply to specific types of scaffolds (such as suspension systems or aerial lifts). Other regulations govern access methods and requirements for employees dismantling or erecting a scaffold.

Maintaining compliance with these standards is often a matter of industry expertise. Contractors specializing in scaffolding design and erection tend to be current on these laws and regulations.

Request a Scaffolding Quote

A scaffold is an elevated, temporary work platform used to support employees and their materials. It is essential that a competent person is onsite at all times to ensure OSHA guidelines are followed during scaffold use. Every person who accesses a scaffold requires scaffold safety training.

There are four categories of personnel on scaffolding worksites:

• Competent person

• Trained erector/dismantler

• Trained scaffold worker

• Prohibited non-trained person

Never use a scaffold if you are not:

• Trained in scaffold use

• Knowledgeable on scaffolds

• Capable of using scaffolds properly

• Authorized to use a scaffold

A competent person must be present during all phases of scaffold use. This includes erecting, usage, and dismantling of scaffolds.

Without training, employees are unaware of scaffold risks and hazards. About 65% of the construction industry works on scaffolds frequently and scaffold accidents can occur even when trained workers use them. In fact, OSHA says 29,000 scaffold fall injuries occur annually. For that reason alone, proper scaffold use is very necessary. With such a high percentage of the construction industry using scaffolds, proper training and knowledge are vital to safety.

If the employer has reason to believe the employee lacks the understanding or skill needed to work safely within scaffolding, then the worker may require retraining. Proper training and knowledge can help protect a high percentage of workers who frequently use scaffolds.

In addition to proper training and authorization, anyone using a scaffold should follow certain standards set out by OSHA.

Scaffold safety golden rules:

1. Use the proper base plates, mud sills, and adjustable screw jacks on solid ground for a good, sound foundation.

2. Inspect all equipment and reject damaged parts.

3. Tie the scaffold to the structure at 4-to-1 vertically and 30 feet horizontally.

4. Do not exceed a 4-to-1 height minimum vase dimension ratio.

5. Use scaffold grade plank overlapping plank a minimum of 12 inches and extend plank over the end at least six inches but no more than 12 inches.

6. Follow the capacities as given by the manufacturers and remember, scaffolds should be capable of supporting, without failure at least four times the maximum intended load.

7. Brace the scaffold per the manufacturer&#;s code.

8. Use guardrails, mid rails, and toe boards on all open sides and ends of platforms above 10 inches.

9. Inspect the scaffold&#;s setup after erection and before each shift. Do not remove any part without permission.

10. Provide and use proper ladder access to all work levels.

OSHA requires that fall protection be used on scaffolds at or over ten feet.  If you need fall protection, be sure to check out our helpful guide Fall Protection 101.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit scaffolding solutions.