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BE SAFE USING SCAFFOLDS…
The most common type of scaffold used inside buildings is the mobile scaffold. OSHA describes mobile scaffolds as “a type of supported scaffold set on wheels or casters. They are designed to be easily moved and are commonly used for things like painting and plastering, where workers must frequently change position.”
To prevent accidents, OSHA has published a handy guideline to safe practices using scaffolding, and the organization has placed these guidelines on its website located on the “construction e-tools” page:
www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/scaffolding/supported/manually_propelled.html#Moving.
Some of the general requirements include:
- Scaffolds must be plumb, level and squared.
- To prevent collapse of the scaffold, to secure vertical members together laterally and to automatically square and align vertical members, scaffolds must be braced by cross-braces or a combination of these bracing systems.
- All brace connections must be secured.
- To prevent movement of the scaffold while it is being used in a stationary position, scaffold casters and wheels must be locked with positive wheel locks, wheel and swivel locks or an equivalent means of locking the scaffold into position.
- Caster stems and wheel stems in scaffold legs or adjustment screws must be pinned or otherwise secured.
- Platforms must not extend beyond the base supports of the scaffold, unless stability is ensured by outrigger frames or equivalent devices.
- Leveling of the scaffold, where necessary, must be achieved by the use of screw jacks or an equivalent means of leveling.
- Scaffolds constructed of tube and coupler components must also comply with the requirements of this section, which details the OSHA requirements on tube and coupler scaffolds.
- Scaffolds constructed of fabricated frame components must also comply with the requirements of this section, which details the OSHA requirements of construction of frame scaffolds and fall protection.
- In some situations, the scaffold may be moved while workers are still on it. However, OSHA gives guidelines on this same web page on how to move a scaffold with minimum risk.
- Scaffolds shall be stabilized to prevent tipping during movement.
- Manual force used to move the scaffold must be applied as close to the base as practicable, but not more than 5 feet above the supporting surface.
- Power systems used to propel mobile scaffolds must be designed for that purpose. Forklifts, trucks, motor vehicles or add-on motors must not be used to propel scaffolds unless the scaffold is designed for them.
- Employees are not allowed to ride on scaffolds unless the following conditions exist:
- The surface on which the scaffold is being moved is within 3 degrees of level and is free of pits, holes and obstructions;
- The height to base width ratio of the scaffold during movement is 2:1 or less, unless the scaffold is designed and constructed to meet or exceed nationally recognized stability test requirements (such as ANSI/SIA A92.5 and 92.6);
- Outrigger frames, when used, are installed on both sides of the scaffold;
- When power systems are used, the propelling force is applied directly to the wheels and does not produce a speed in excess of 1 foot per second;
- No employee is on any part of the scaffold that extends beyond the wheels, casters or other supports.
- Before a scaffold is moved, each employee on the scaffold must be made aware of the move.
OSHA is making a targeted effort to inspect job sites for proper scaffold use. Are you in compliance? By using OSHA’s scaffolding guidelines, you and your crews will not only be safer, but, in the event of inspection, you may also avoid stiff fines and penalties for non-compliance with required scaffolding safe practices. Spray Foam Magazine – 2006.
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