Scaffolding Safety Tips

Scaffold safety is defined as a set of regulations, practices, and equipment designed to enforce safe assembly, dismantling, and use of scaffolding structures. It includes safety measures protecting workers against falling objects, structural collapse, falls, and other scaffolding-related accidents or hazards. Proper scaffold safety requires compliance with industry standards, adequate worker training, use of protective equipment, and regular inspection to provide a safe working environment on a project site.

Main scaffold safety requirements include wearing proper safety equipment, adhering to load limits, performing regular inspections, building the structure properly, keeping the area organized, and following safety tags.Scaffold structural failure can result from poor assembly, inadequate maintenance, faulty planking, component defects, and improper fall protection systems.

Wear Proper Safety Equipment

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is designed to protect construction workers from hazards. Workers need to wear proper safety equipment while working at height. They need to wear hard hats that protect their head from falling objects. Hand-protection gloves or slip-resistant gloves give workers a safe grip on machinery and allow them to perform their tasks without causing any hand-related injury or hazards when they need to work with heavy machinery or equipment. Wear non-slip footwear, especially when working on a flat platform with no grooves or an anti-slip surface. Wearing PPE improves workers’ safety and reduces personal injury risk while allowing them to complete tasks efficiently.

Load Limits

Every scaffold has a specific load limit that designs load-bearing capacity. Every manufacturer provides load limit details. All you need to do is ensure you never overload your scaffold structure. Exceeding load limits means putting workers’ lives in danger and compromising the structure’s integrity. Your scaffold structure may break or collapse when you put more limits than its intended design capacity. Before you put concentrated loads on your scaffold, know all about the load limit set by the manufacturer and maintain the safety of the structure and workers by sticking to this intended load capacity.

Relevant Regulations and Standards

Federal OSHA provides scaffold regulations and standards for different industries. Since there are various regulations for other sectors, it’s always a good idea to perform detailed research regarding your specific industry and follow all rules and regulations before using the scaffold. When you build a scaffold framework by following applicable standards and regulations, you can avoid liability for personal injuries and accidents. OSHA has set specific requirements for competent persons and clearly states that all scaffolding users must know industry regulations and standards. They must be fully trained to identify and reduce risks and hazards associated with a scaffolding project. So, staying current with your specific industry rules and standards helps you stay compliant.

Inspect

Another scaffolding safety tip to avoid unfortunate accidents is inspection. It is crucial to inspect all components of scaffolding before you start erecting it. If you identify any issues, defects, or damage during the inspection process, you need to replace or repair them. Besides, a thorough inspection process can avoid structural failure and identify mismatched structural integrity components.

Build Properly

Manufacturers provide crystal clear guidelines for building a scaffold, so follow those guidelines when creating a scaffold framework. Check what types of fasteners, bracing, and anchors are required. Try not to improvise or take any shortcuts, as they will risk the safety of workers and structure. When setting up the framework close to electrical lines, keep a 10-foot distance from the lines- a safety guideline by OSHA. In some cases, OSHA requires you to hire a competent builder who has undergone OSHA-approved training and scaffolding manufacturer equipment training so that the company has given authority and accompanying title to that person.

Here is what you need to check:

Make sure decks, planks, standard, and scaffold structures are square, level, and plumb. This must create a safe and stable working platform for workers.
All the connections of decks, planks, tubes, toeboards, and decks should be secured tightly.
Mudsills and base plates of the correct size are used and installed properly on the scaffold’s frame and feet.
Install leg braces correctly on the scaffold frame.
As per OSHA safety regulations, at least a 10-foot clearance area exists between hazards and the scaffold. Let the power company handle this matter if the distance is less than 10 feet.

Site and Equipment

Once you erect a scaffolding framework, you need to perform an inspection regularly to identify debris, defects, hazards, and other things that may cause some issues. Competent person inspections at the start of each day ensure that the area remains hazard-free. It’s always a good idea to keep inspection checklists handy so a competent person doesn’t miss anything and a complete inspection can be performed with ease.

Vehicles and Heavy Equipment

There should not be any vehicle or heavy equipment at the scaffold base. You can set up some barriers around the base to avoid structure toppling. In case you require heavy equipment close to the base area, always ensure you have heavy equipment clearance.

Organized

Another best scaffold safety tip is to keep the working area well-organized. Scaffolds should be free from excessive planks, tools, trash, or debris. You can avoid safety hazards by maintaining cleanliness. Unnecessary tools, planks, or trash often lead to tripping hazards and also increase the load of the scaffolding structure. You should encourage workers to tidy their workspace and schedule clean-up after every shift to prevent hazards.

Safety Tags

Users can prevent unfortunate accidents if they follow scaffold safety tags. These tags communicate a message about whether the scaffold is safe for use or not. A competent person must inspect the scaffold and then put safety tags at access points to prevent unfortunate hazards and accidents. Three types of scaffolding tags are as follows:

Green scaffold tags: Whenever you see green scaffold tags, then it says that the scaffold is used as a competent person has inspected or verified its safety. Usually, green tags are placed on every access point after inspection is complete
Yellow scaffold tags: Yellow tags showcase that users can use scaffolds but only if they follow safety precautions and usage guidelines mentioned on the tags. A scaffold with yellow tags usually has undergone changes in components or structure to fulfill work requirements; therefore, caution is required from the user’s end.
Red scaffold tags: The reg tag showcases that the scaffold is unsafe for use. These tags are placed during the scaffold’s erection and dismantling.

Provide Proper Training

Another safety tip is to give your workers proper scaffolding training. Everyone must have clear ideas about assembling and dismantling a scaffolding structure. Workers should also know all about load capacities, emergency safety measures, and hazards associated with scaffolding structures. Training helps workers avoid mistakes that often lead to accidents at work sites.

Competent Person

You must have an on-site competent person to avoid scaffolding-related accidents. Now, who is a competent person? As per OSHA definition, a competent person is someone who is fully trained to identify existing and predictable hazards and has complete authority to follow scaffolding safety measures. A competent person will inspect scaffolding daily, especially after any event that may compromise its structural integrity. A competent person ensures that scaffolding is assembled, disassembled, and altered by following scaffolding safety standards and guidelines set by the manufacturer.

Handholds

Another safety tip for a scaffold is to have adequate handholds that workers can use to climb responsibility. Whenever workers climb on a scaffold, they must maintain three-point contact with the scaffold: one foot with two hands or two feet with one hand. Scaffold erectors can climb horizontally or vertically, but only when they securely tie themselves. All other users should use ramps, stair towers, and ladders to climb on the scaffold. When a framework has proper handholds at various access points, then the risk of fall, slip, or trip is reduced during climbing.

Level the Scaffold

You need to level the scaffold to maintain its structural integrity. The structure may collapse if the scaffold isn’t leveled. Proper leveling and balance can be achieved on sloppy and uneven ground by using mud sills, base plates, and screw jacks. A competent person must inspect the scaffold level during use to ensure that weight is distributed evenly from vertical tubes to the ground and base. Regular inspection ensures that if the load is causing any imbalance, then proper safety measures can be taken on time.

Avoid Extending Adjusting Leg Screws

Whenever you extend the leg screw, you should follow the manufacturer’s recommendation. Overextending leg screws comprise the scaffold’s ability to bear weight properly, and it will destabilize the structure and increase the risk of tipping. So, it’s always a good idea to stick to specific guidelines that manufacturers provide regarding the adjustment of leg screws to prevent structural failure.

Safety Belts and Lanyards

Safety belts and lanyards are essential fall protection equipment. Workers working at heights always wear these safety equipment to maintain their personal safety. Always ensure that safety belts and lanyards are securely attached to anchors. Also, perform regular safety inspections so that you can readily replace this equipment if it shows any wear or tear.

Toolbox Talks

To prevent scaffolding-related accidents by conducting regular toolbox talks with users and workers. This task informs workers about potential hazards and helps them address current concerns. These talks also encourage workers to identify any recent incident or issue on their worksite. This identification lets you take proper safety procedures to prevent personal injuries or accidents. Toolbox talks help you build a safety culture on your project site and allow you to stay proactive.

Clear Communication

You must promote clear communication among workers on the job site. Workers can use signals, radios, or other communication tools to coordinate with their team members. This coordination is a must during scaffold erection and dismantlement. Clear communication lets you prevent misunderstandings that may cause an accident.

What are the OSHA Scaffold Safety Requirements?

Ten OSHA Scaffold safety requirements are as follows:

Fall protection
Guardrail height
Cross bracing
Midrails
Footings
Platforms
Guying Ties and braces
Capacity
Training
Inspections

1. Fall protection

Employees working more than 10 feet off the ground must use fall protection systems or guardrails unless employees are using single-point or two-point adjustable suspension scaffolds. In later cases, employees will use both fall protection systems and guardrail systems.

2. Guardrail height

The height of the top rail in a guardrail system should be 38-45 inches.

3. Cross bracing

Cross bracing for the top rail must be between 38 and 48 inches above the working platform.

4. Midrails

Midrails must be installed midway between the platform surface and the top rail. The cross bracing used for the mid-rail should be 20-30 inches above the working platform.

5. Footings

The scaffolding footing must be leveled and established on a stable foundation. It must also be able to support the loaded scaffold. The poles, frames, legs, and other upright components should carry the weight off the mud sills and base plates.

6. Platforms

Scaffold platforms should be fully planked or decked. They must also have safety features such as mid rails, guardrails, and toeboards alongside their edges. The working platform should be cleaned regularly to prevent accidents, falls, trips, or slips.

7. Guying ties and braces

Braces and guying ties enhance support for workers using scaffolds and prevent the structure from tipping. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations while installing guys, ties, and braces, especially when the base and height ratio is 4:1.

8. Capacity

OSHA safety guidelines state that the scaffold and its components should withstand 4 times the maximum intended load without structural failure.

9. Training

OSHA requires employers to provide training for each employee involved in scaffolding work. During this training, an employee must understand:

How to use and handle scaffold and materials on it properly
Scaffold-related hazards such as electrocution, falls, falling objects, etc;
Scaffold safety procedures for handling and minimizing all those hazards;
Maximum intended load and load capacity of scaffolding;
All relevant standards and requirements for scaffold use.

10. Inspections

OSHA safety requirements clearly state that a competent person must perform a visual scaffolding inspection before every shift starts or after every shift is completed. Regular safety inspections will help you identify and eliminate risks that threaten workers’ and workplace safety while compromising the structural integrity of the scaffolding structure.

What are Scaffolding Safety Equipment?

Nine scaffolding safety equipment are as follows:

Hard hats
Safety glasses or goggles
High-visibility vests
Gloves
Steel-toed boots
Non-slip footwear
Eye protection
Hearing protection
Tool-tether lanyards

What are the Most Common Scaffolding Failures?

The seventeen most common scaffolding failures are as follows:

Scaffolding defects
Falling objects
Inadequate safety equipment
Faulty planking
Overloaded scaffolding
Falls
Improper anchor/weak foundation
Faulty construction
Inadequate worker training
Weather hazards
Contact hazards
Inadequate fall protection
Inadequate maintenance
Missing guardrails
Safety standard violation
Unsafe scaffold design
Malfunctioning brakes

1. Scaffolding Defects

The biggest reason behind scaffold structural failure is scaffolding defects such as damaged, corrosion, and cracked parts. These defects are due to regular wear or tear or simply manufacturing defects. Regular safety inspection and maintenance help employers identify defects and mitigate risk factors.

2. Falling Objects

Falling objects are common structural failures. Tools, materials, and debris falling from the working platform to the ground area pose a significant risk of personal injury or property damage. The scaffold is integrated with safety protocols such as guardrails, tool lanyards, toeboards, and safety nets that prevent objects from falling from the platform.

3. Inadequate Safety Equipment

Another common structural failure of a scaffold is abscess or improper use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Whenever workers perform tasks at a height, they should wear this equipment to protect themselves from personal injuries and accidents

4. Faulty Planking

When planks are faulty or installed poorly, structure failure occurs due to the weight of workers, materials, or tools. It is vital to have planks that meet load-bearing standards. A competent person should regularly inspect them to ensure they have no defects and are fastened securely.

5. Overloaded Scaffolding

The biggest cause of scaffolding failure is overloading. Every manufacturer provides a load capacity and limit. Going beyond this limit means compromising structural integrity. It’s vital that workers using scaffolding know the load limit and are trained to identify signs of overloading so that they can prevent scaffolding-related accidents.

6. Falls

Falls are common scaffold structural failures. Falls are often related to scaffold-related injuries and fatalities. The reasons behind falls are improper fall protection systems, slippery surfaces, and improper assembly. You can prevent falls by ensuring that a fall arrest system is installed on the scaffold and that the structure is built following the manufacturer’s guidelines.

7. Improper Anchor/Weak Foundation

A weak foundation or improper anchor often causes structural failure of the scaffold. Employers must use unique components to level a scaffold on slippery or uneven ground. However, when they don’t use those components, the structure sinks inside the ground, leading to structure instability. It is vital to brace the scaffold properly and level the surface where you will erect the scaffold; otherwise, the complete framework may collapse.

8. Faulty Construction

Improper assembly often leads to structural failure. Sometimes, employees try shortcuts during assembly, such as using incompatible components or simply overlooking scaffold safety checklists. They may not follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for scaffold assembly. All these situations lead to a faulty scaffold structure setup.

9. Inadequate Worker Training

Scaffold structural failure occurs due to inadequate worker training. Poorly trained workers misuse scaffold structures. They may overload the framework or don’t assemble the structure properly, which leads to structural damage or collapse.

10. Weather Hazards

Another common reason scaffold frameworks fail is adverse weather conditions such as heavy winds, heavy rains, or icy surfaces. Scaffolds become unsafe for use during such conditions. High winds may cause structures to sway or destabilize, while rain or ice makes the working area slippery. Workers are advised not to use scaffolds during harsh weather conditions.

11. Contact Hazards

Scaffolding fails when a structure is set up near a dangerous environment, such as sharp materials or moving machinery. Such an environment increases the risk of contact hazards. It is vital to provide a safe working environment to workers. Site planning is necessary for this purpose. In addition, the risk of contact hazards can be minimized by using protective barriers.

12. Inadequate Fall Protection

Another common structural failure of scaffolds is inadequate fall protection. When you forget to install sufficient guardrails and don’t have a safety harness, this structure is born to collapse. Employers must install proper barriers/guardrails and toeboards on the platform and use personal fall arrest systems to ensure the safety of workers.

13. Inadequate scaffold maintenance

The scaffold requires regular maintenance for safe operation. Overlooking maintenance tasks may lead to component rusting and loose or damaged parts that compromise structural integrity. Regular scaffold safety inspections should be performed to identify areas for improvement and maintenance and ensure a safe working environment for every user.

14. Missing Guardrails

Missing guardrail is a common cause of scaffold structural failure. Guardrails are fundamental security features of a scaffold. If they are missing or not properly installed, platforms will have open sides and edges, making this workspace unsafe for workers.

15. Safety Standard Violations

Another cause of scaffolding failure is the violation of the standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Following OSHA guidelines regarding erection, usage, inspection, and worker training often leads to scaffolding accidents and structural failure.

16. Unsafe Scaffold Design

Poor scaffold design is a significant reason for scaffold failure. A scaffold may lack safety features and not be designed for specific environmental conditions or loads. These deficiencies often lead to structural instability or collapse. Scaffolding designers and engineers should follow industry standards to create safe scaffold designs.

17. Malfunctioning Brakes

The most significant cause of structural failures in mobile scaffolds is malfunctioning brakes. Functional brakes prevent accidental movement while workers are using a mobile scaffold. Malfunctioning brakes cause unexpected shifts or accidental structural collapses, putting workers’ lives in danger. It is crucial to perform regular safety inspections of mobile scaffolds to prevent this hazard.