Access to Scaffolds

 

Getting to the work level of a scaffold has always been a serious problem. Workers, when not provided with a proper stairway or ladder, might be tempted to use crossbraces to climb the scaffold. This is strictly forbidden in the new scaffold rule.

The OSHA rules apply to all employees gaining access to a scaffold work surface. For your safety, you should observe the following OSHA and your company rules when getting on or off a scaffold work area.

Access to and between scaffold platforms more than two feet above or below the point of access must be made by:

·         Portable ladders, hook-on ladders, attachable ladders, scaffold stairways, stairway-type ladders (such as ladder stands), ramps, walkways, integral prefabricated scaffold access, or equivalent means; or

·         by direct access from another scaffold, structure, personnel hoist, or similar surface.

Portable, hook-on, and attachable ladders — It is critical that portable, hook-on, and attach­able ladders are

·         Positioned so as not to tip the scaffold.

·         Positioned so the bottom rung is not more than 24 inches above your starting point.

·         Equipped with a rest platform at 35-foot maximum vertical intervals.

Stairway-type ladders must:

·         Be provided with rest platforms at 12 foot intervals.

·         Have slip-resistant treads on all steps and landings.

Stairtowers must:

·         Be equipped with a stairrail consisting of a toprail (handrail) and a midrail on each side of each scaffold stairway.

·         Have slip-resistant surfaces on treads and landings.

·         Have guardrails on the open sides and ends of each landing.

Ramps and walkways six feet or more above lower levels must have guardrail systems in place.

Scaffold frames that are used as access ladders must:

·         Be specifically designed and con­structed for use as ladder rungs.

·         Be uniformly spaced within each frame section.

As a user of scaffolds you are not allowed to erect or dismantle them — unless you are trained and designated to do so.  However, you still must be able to recognize hazardous conditions when climbing up and down, to and from, a work surface.  To totally ignore a problem is asking for trouble. Study the above OSHA rules and have a better understanding of when things do not look right.  When they don’t, don’t climb.

Never use crossbraces to gain access to a scaffold working platform.

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.assuranceagency.com

 

OSHA’s construction safety program

 

The key element of OSHA’s construction safety program is that any employee encountering hazardous conditions must be protected against the potential hazards and must be trained in the use of personal protective equipment.

The requirements for OSHA’s construction safety programs are found in:

·         1926.20, General safety and health provisions,

·         1926.21, Safety training and education,

·         1926.23, First aid and medical attention, and

·         1904.2, Log and summary of occupational injuries and illnesses.

Why did OSHA develop requirements for a safety and health program?

Safety and health programs have proven to be an effective, systematic method of identifying and correcting existing workplace safety and health hazards, as well as preventing those that might arise in the future.

The lack of adequate safety and health programs, site inspections and training, are serious violations of the OSHA standards. Further, OSHA developed the Focused Inspection Initiative to recognize the efforts of responsible contractors who have implemented effective safety and health programs and plans and to encourage other contractors to adopt similar programs.

Requirements for a safety and health program

A safety and health plan is required for each construction activity that applies to your jobsite. For instance, if you do excavation work then a trenching and shoring safety plan would be required (29 CFR 1926.650-.652). If you do construction work that requires your employees to use respirators, then you need a respiratory protection program (29 CFR 1926.103).

29 CFR 1926.20 details the following requirements:

·         Accident prevention responsibilities—the employer must initiate and maintain any safety programs that are necessary to comply with 29 CFR 1926.20 and .21.

·         Inspections—these safety programs must provide for frequent and regular inspections of the jobsites, materials, and equipment to be made by competent persons designated by the employers.

·         Defective or damaged equipment—the use of any machinery, tool, material, or equipment that is not in compliance with any applicable requirement of 29 CFR 1926 Part C is prohibited. This machine, tool, material, or equipment must either be identified as unsafe by tagging or locking the controls to render them inoperable or must be physically removed from its place of operation.

·         Equipment and machinery operation—only those employees qualified by training or experience to operate equipment and machinery.

What must be covered in a comprehensive safety and health program

Your employer needs to cover the following subjects:

·         Nature of hazards and how to recognize them,

·         What is being done to control these hazards,

·         Protective measures to prevent or minimize exposure hazards, and

·         Applicable standard provisions.

What should you be trained in?

Your employer must instruct employees:

·         In the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to their work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.

·         Who are required to handle or use poisons, caustics, and other harmful substances, in safe handling and use, and make sure they are made aware of the potential hazards, personal hygiene, and personal protective measures required.

·         On jobsite areas where they may be exposed to harmful plants or animals, of the potential hazards, how to avoid injury, and the first aid procedures to be used in the event of injury.

·         Who are required to handle or use flammable liquids, gases, or toxic materials in the safe handling and use of these materials and make them aware of the specific requirements contained in 29 CFR 1926 Subparts D, F, and other applicable subparts of 29 CFR 1926.

·         Who are required to enter into confined or enclosed spaces, as to the nature of the hazards involved, the necessary precautions to be taken, and in the use of protective and emergency equipment required. Your employer also must comply with any specific regulations that apply to work in dangerous or potentially dangerous areas.

Confined or enclosed space means any space having a limited means of egress, which is subject to the accumulation of toxic or flammable contaminants or has an oxygen deficient atmosphere.

Confined or enclosed spaces include, but are not limited to, storage tanks, process vessels, bins, boilers, ventilation, or exhaust ducts, sewers, underground utility vaults, tunnels, pipelines, and open top spaces more than 4 feet in depth such as pits, tubs, vaults, and vessels.

 

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.assuranceagency.com