Full Answer
What are the risks of scaffolding?
Common Scaffolding RisksSlips and Falls.Bad Planking.Falling Debris.Electrocution.Scaffold Preparation.Poor Personnel Training.
Are scaffolding safe?
We all know that fall hazards are the leading cause of construction worker deaths, accounting for about 33.5% of all fatalities in construction each year. Of the 338 construction worker fatalities attributed to falls in 2018, close to 15% were from scaffolds.
How common are scaffolding accidents?
According to recent statistics from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) data, scaffolding accidents at job sites or construction sites account for approximately 80 deaths annually and this comes to over 10,000 injuries a year!
Are scaffolds safer than ladders?
Working from scaffolding is much easier and safer than working from a ladder. It's stable, forms a wide work platform and provides a wide reach. You'll do a better job in half the time by not having to constantly move a ladder. We show you how to set it up so it's safe and secure.
What is the highest risk of scaffolding?
Perhaps the most widely recognised danger in scaffolding is falling from height. It is the biggest cause of serious injury (and even death) and is often a result of missing guardrails, improper installation of them and a failure to use personal fall arrest systems.
What could cause a scaffold to collapse?
Weak planking: Planking that is not sturdy enough could collapse and cause serious injuries to workers. Plank defects that might cause a scaffolding collapse may include wormholes, splits, knots that are knocked out along edges and nail holes. Planks that are defective must be discarded and replaced right away.
How do you stop scaffolding from falling?
Here are 4 Steps To Prevent Scaffolding Collapse.HAVE THE RIGHT PERSON. Someone should ensure scaffolding is constructed and used safely. ... USE PROPER CONSTRUCTION. — Planking must be able to support at least four times the intended load. ... SCAFFOLDING MUST BE INSPECTED DAILY. ... PROVIDE APPROPRIATE TRAINING.
What percentage of fall fatalities are from scaffolding?
25%Scaffolding accident statistics Falls from scaffolds account for roughly 25% of fatal falls from all working surfaces. Approximately 60 people die every year as a result of scaffold-related accidents.
How many scaffolding injuries occur each year?
4,500 injuriesAccording to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), scaffold-related accidents result in roughly 60 deaths and 4,500 injuries every year.
Why use a scaffold instead of a ladder?
In extreme circumstances, the ladder can easily tip over and leave a person dangerously stranded on a roof or ledge. Scaffolding will drastically increase the level of safety at which you operate while painting your home or performing any other project for that matter.
How does scaffolding stay up?
Often used in external repairs, in suspended scaffolding the working platform is 'hung' from roofs with the help of wire ropes or chains.
How high can you go with scaffolding?
OSHA further states that scaffolds more than 125 feet in height above the base must be designed by a professional registered engineer. These scaffold height restrictions reflect the hazards and structural stress when working at such heights.
How do I know if my scaffolding is safe?
2:594:57Scaffold Inspection - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you're unsure use a tape measure platforms. Will check from underneath when we're looking at ourMoreIf you're unsure use a tape measure platforms. Will check from underneath when we're looking at our trans and spacing to see if there's any damage boards.
What are the main causes of deaths and injuries on scaffolds?
Scaffold incidents causing injury or death to workers is often the result of either the planking or support giving way, by the worker slipping, the absence of fall protection, or being struck by a falling object. These incidents can be avoided by compliance with OSHA standards.
What are safety precautions for scaffolding?
11 Scaffolding Safety TipsUse Proper Safety Equipment. ... Mind Load Limits. ... Know Relevant Regulations and Standards. ... Inspect Scaffolding Materials. ... Build Properly. ... Inspect the Site and Equipment—Again. ... Keep Vehicles and Heavy Equipment Clear. ... Stay Organized.More items...•
Which of the fatal four is the cause of the most deaths?
FallsFalls. Falls are the leading cause of all construction worker deaths.
When can you not access scaffolding?
Don't access scaffolding during inclement weather or when it's covered in ice or snow. This significantly increases the risk of slips, trips, or falling.
Why is scaffolding important?
This is why it's important for work sites to follow a variety of scaffolding safety procedures and requirements to ensure that construction workers don’t become a statistic . In this post, we'll cover what scaffolding is, when it's commonly used, why it has the potential to be so dangerous, and how to ensure you're staying safe on site.
What is a scaffold tag?
Scaffolding tagging is one way to help keep anyone using scaffolding safe. Simply put, it's a system that helps identify a scaffold as either safe or unsafe following assembly. Tagging must be performed by a trained professional that's experienced in scaffolding assembly. Following an inspection, this individual will assign either a green, yellow, or red tag to the structure. Scaffold tags are not a legal requirement, but one of many important scaffolding safety precautions that workers on a job site should follow to ensure safe use of the structure. They should be placed at the entry point to the scaffolding so anyone accessing the structure is aware of potential hazards or lack thereof. The colors of the tag system are as follows:
What is the OSHA standard for scaffolding?
The OSHA scaffolding standard (1926.451) offers scaffolding safety procedures that construction work sites should follow for worker safety. While anyone using scaffolding and site supervisors should take the time to review the entire standard prior to accessing scaffolding, the standard does call for fall protection at a 10-foot height from a lower level for anyone working from scaffolding. It also states that scaffolding should only be assembled, moved, and/or disassembled under the supervision of a qualified professional.
What does it mean when scaffolding is red?
Red: This means that the scaffolding is unsafe for use . These tags are often used during the assembly or disassembly of scaffolding to signify that it's incomplete and there's a major safety hazard associated with its use. Scaffolding may also be tagged red if there was an injury or incident on it until an investigation can take place.
What do you need to know before accessing scaffolding?
They need to know weight capacity, what PPE to wear, how to read inspection tags, and how to properly access and work on the platform, among others.
When should scaffolding be inspected?
Ideally, scaffolding should be inspected before every workday and the tags adjusted as necessary . Construction professionals should follow a checklist before workers report for their shift each day to ensure its safety. This checklist should include inspecting the guardrails, connectors and fastenings, tie-ins, and the planking. It's also important to ensure that materials are not stockpiled on scaffolding and straining the structural integrity.
What are the hazards of scaffolding?
The lack of guardrails, improperly installed guardrails, or failure to use personal fall arrest systems cause falls . So, the result is worker injury and possibly fatality.
What is the OSHA safety standard for scaffolding?
Proper training is one way to avoid scaffolding accidents. OSHA 29 CFR 1926.454 safety standard includes scaffolding training requirements. Workers who work while on a scaffold need proper training to recognize each potential fall hazard and scaffold hazard. Also, it is important for each scaffold user to understand procedures to control or minimize hazards. Employers must provide documented training by a qualified person.
How high should a guardrail be?
Equip scaffolding with toeboards, midrails, and guardrails. Guardrails are to be between 38 inches and 45 inches in height, and installation of midrails at about half that height. If any cross brace is used to support the top rail for the guardrail, then cross bracing should reach the height of between 38 and 45 inches. OSHA requires toeboard installation on work platforms, screens, nets, or barricades. Why? The purpose is to prevent items from falling, and thereby protecting workers on lower levels. In addition, workers access the scaffold platform in the form of a secured ladder, stair tower, or ramp.
What are the differences between vertical and horizontal OSHA regulations?
On the other hand, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L: Scaffolding is a more specific vertical OSHA standard. Horizontal standards (Subpart M) specify that in the construction industry, fall protection must be present at 6 feet of height. Vertical standards (Subpart L) specifies that for scaffolding safety, fall protection must be present at a threshold of 10 feet. When dealing with scaffolding safety, the vertical standard overrules the horizontal standard.
What are the factors to consider when erecting a scaffold?
Some factors to consider are materials and guardrails and scaffold components, foundation stability, placement of scaffold planks, weight of the scaffold itself, weights of workers, and tie-off requirements.
What is a competent person in scaffolding?
A competent person is one who “is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions, which are unsanitary, hazardous to employees, and who has authorization to take corrective measures to eliminate them.” A competent person has the knowledge to recognize a hazard as well as the authority to correct it.
What is scaffolding in construction?
According to OSHA, a scaffold is defined as “an elevated, temporary work platform”. It’s important to take into consideration the type of scaffolding used at the construction site, industry, or manufacturing environments. There are two types of scaffolds, which include the following:
