Is It OK To Cut Laminated Scaffold Planks (OSHA Planks)?
- It depends on whether you plan to cut them to length, or to width. ...
- Now, about cutting them to width. ...
- So to answer the question. ...
- If the gap is over 9 1/2 ".......................add a plank
- If the gap is too small to add a 9 1/4" plank you can ignore it.
How wide should scaffolding be?
How much weight should a scaffold support?
How wide should a platform be?
How far should the front edge of a platform be from the work face?
What happens if you fail to fix planks?
Should scaffolds be moved?
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Can you cut scaffold boards?
Cut the scaffold boards to the length you've chosen. If you don't want to use the metal ends, you can cut off the end of the planks beyond the metal trim (don't try to saw through the metal) before measuring and cutting the length.
What kind of wood are OSHA planks made of?
Yellow Southern PineOSHA Grade Planks are made of Yellow Southern Pine, Clipped, Rodded and OSHA Stamped. Come in three sizes: 8', 12' and 16' lengths. All planks are 2" high by 10" wide and rod and clipped.
How much weight can an OSHA plank hold?
OSHARated load capacityIntended loadHeavy-duty75 pounds per square foot applied uniformly over the entire span area.One-person250 pounds placed at the center of the span (total 250 pounds).Two-person250 pounds placed 18 inches to the left and right of the center of the span (total 500 pounds).3 more rows
Can you burn scaffolding planks?
Reclaimed scaffold boards charred using the Japanese 'Yakisugi' technique, where all sides of the boards are burnt. This process shrinks the cells of the wood, making it less permeable to all the factors that can damage it over time, including rain, wind and heat.
How thick is an OSHA plank?
(e) Overhead protection shall consist of 2 inch nominal planking laid tight, or 3/4-inch plywood.
How much does a 16 foot OSHA plank weight?
Weight: 64.0 lbs.
How much does an 8 foot OSHA plank weight?
32.0 lbs.Weight: 32.0 lbs. Edges are "Clipped" to reduce end-shearing and ease of handling. Ends are "Pinned", or "Rodded" to reduce end cupping or splitting.
How much can a single person lift OSHA?
50 poundsBased off the NIOSH Lifting Equation, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends the weight limit for individual lifting be 50 pounds. When lifting more than 50 pounds, it is recommended to use a lifting device or two or more people.
At what height does OSHA require you to tie off?
6 feetThe 6-foot rule. Subpart M requires the use of fall protection when construction workers are working at heights of 6 feet or greater above a lower level.
What wood is scaffolding planks made of?
Typically, these boards are made from treated and finished wood, such as southern yellow pine or spruce, which then undergo inspection for compliance to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
Can I burn wood planks?
If you have some old wooden planks lying in your basement or garage and don't remember where you acquired them from, err on the side of caution and don't burn it. Only burn wood that you harvested yourself or acquired from a trusted firewood vendor, such as Cutting Edge Firewood.
Can you tie off to scaffolding OSHA?
Question 2: Do the OSHA standards prohibit tying off to a scaffold? Answer: No.
What wood is used for scaffold planks?
Wood, such as fir or pine, is the most common material. High-quality wooden planks, such as Kennison Forest Products solid sawn scaffold planks or sure-lam LVL (laminated veneer lumber) scaffold planks, provide durable, safe planking solutions.
What wood are scaffold boards made from?
Typically, these boards are made from treated and finished wood, such as southern yellow pine or spruce, which then undergo inspection for compliance to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
What wood is used for planks?
Some of the best species for wood plank flooring include maple, cherry, sturdy oak, light-bodied walnut, golden heart pine, and rich-textured chestnut.
What are wood planks made out of?
Planks are flat, rectangular and elongated timber with parallel faces. They are typically made from solid-sawn timber, though some newer materials include metal and manufactured or engineered wood.
How are planks laid?
In one drawing, the planks are laid so that one end of each plank is on the bottom of an overlap and the other end is on the top of an overlap (using this method the planks are slightly tilted). The second drawing shows the planks laid so that both ends of each plank are either on the bottom or the top of their respective overlaps ...
How many inches of overlap on a scaffold?
Section 1926.451 (b) (7) states, "on scaffolds where platforms are overlapped to create a long platform, the overlap shall occur only over supports, and shall not be less than 12 inches (30 cm) unless the platforms are nailed together or otherwise restrained to prevent movement." The standard does not specify whether both ends of each plank must overlap the same way. Therefore, both methods are acceptable ways of overlapping planks.
What is OSHA standard number?
Standard Number: 1926.451 (b) (7) OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed.
When was the variance issued for tank scaffolds?
During a telephone conversation, you indicated that you believed that a variance issued on April 4, 1975, for tank scaffolds discussed how scaffold planks should be overlapped, as per your first question.
Is the scaffold standard still in effect?
Since OSHA has never modified or revoked it, under section 6 (d) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, it is technically still in effect. However, the scaffold standard for which that variance was issued is no longer in effect; a new scaffold standard was issued in September 1996.
How wide should scaffold planks be?
The standard requires that the space between the scaffold planks or between scaffold planks and uprights be no more than one inch wide unless the employer can demonstrate that a wider space is necessary. However, the platform must still be planked or decked as fully as possible.
What is the OSHA number for a fully planked and decoked scaffold?
To report an emergency, file a complaint with OSHA or ask a safety and health question, call 1-800-321-6742 (OSHA). Standard Number:
How wide is a platform?
Each platform unit (e.g., scaffold plank, fabricated plank, fabricated deck, or fabricated platform) shall be installed so that the space between adjacent units and the space between the platform and the uprights is no more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide, except where the employer can demonstrate that a wider space is necessary (for example, to fit around uprights when side brackets are used to extend the width of the platform) . (Emphasis added).
How much space between a platform and the uprights?
Where the employer makes the demonstration provided for in paragraph (b) (1) (i) of this section, the platform shall be planked or decked as fully as possible and the remaining open space between the platform and the uprights shall not exceed 9 ½ inches (24.1 cm). (Emphasis added).
What is the OSHA standard number?
Standard Number: 1926.451. 1926.451 (b) (1) OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations.
Can you tip a plank sideways?
This can lead to a significant reduction in plank strength, and possibly cause tipping of the plank (sideways) if eccentrically loaded.
What is glulam lumber?
1.Glued laminated Lumber (Glulam) The glulam are pine boards with measurements 2×6 that are glued together to come up with a beam measuring around 6×10. Thereafter, three scaffold planks with measurements 2×10 are created from the beam. 2.
What is a pinned plank?
Pinned Planks. The pinned planks consist of three southern yellow pine measuring 2×4 and with dense structural grade pinned together using a steel pin. This helps to do away with issues of damage or accidents that may be as a result of overloading.
What is the first quality of OSHA planks?
The first quality of the OSHA planks is the stiff and strong nature. They are designed in a way that they can support heavy loads placed on them without breaking. This as a result will minimize the issues of accident occurrence and guarantee long durability.
What is OSHA plank?
OSHA planks are very tough and sturdy lumbers. They are used in the construction industry to facilitate builders in accessing the outer portion of tall buildings during construction. They are also very instrumental in helping builders to reach and repair different heights and parts of buildings.
Why do planks need to be tested?
The planks usually undergo a series of rigorous tests to ensure they have the best quality and that they can withstand heavy loads. This ensures they have the ability to resist end splits and side splits and can, therefore, guarantee that your workers will not be involved in any accidents.
Why do manufacturers test and emboss planks?
This is to ensure that they are all performing as intended and that they are of the right quality.
How to do LVL?
In the case of LVL, thin layers of wood are peeled off, followed by oven-drying and then grading. Unidirectional orientation is then done and a weather-resistant adhesive is finally used to glue the planks.
How to tell if scaffold planks are damaged?
Other physical signs include discoloration; odor; or soft, spongy wood. Remove planks with these characteristics from service. Remember to immediately remove damaged scaffold planks from service as damaged planks may result in injury or death.
How to protect planks from water?
Protect planks from extreme weather conditions, including excessive exposure to water and temperatures exceeding 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Store planks under a roof or porous cover that will shed water, but allow moisture to escape. Keep planks stacked in bundles off the ground and supported by stickers spaced no more than eight feet apart. Line up the stickers between the bundles with the ground stickers. This will allow easy forklift access and provide air circulation. Misalignment of the stickers can damage the planks by creating a bow. Do not store heavy objects on the planks.
How to store scaffold planks?
Regarding scaffold plank storage, keep scaffold planks dry, since strength and performance are reduced by moisture. Store planks in a dry, well-ventilated area. Storage in wet or unventilated areas will accelerate wood decay and plank deterioration. Always allow wet planks to dry quickly by providing proper air circulation.
What causes a plank to split?
Edge splits: A separation of the narrow edge of the plank usually is caused by forklift damage. If an open split is detected, remove the plank from service. (Fig. 8)
What is a face break in scaffolding?
Face breaks: These are irregular cracks across the face of the scaffold plank, and are usually a result of overloading. Face cracks dramatically reduce the strength of the plank. Remove planks with face breaks from service. (Fig. 10)
What is the most common damage to scaffold planks?
The most common damage or “caused defect” seen today is end splits. This is when the end separates over time, due to abuse or wet/dry exposure. If the length of the end split exceeds the width of the piece, the contractor should cut back the plank to a shorter length or take it out of service.
What is the best way to ensure safe performance of DI-65 scaffold planks?
Visual inspection, proper handling and storage are the best ways of ensuring safe performance of DI-65 and Laminated scaffold planks. Following are other things to look for.
How wide should scaffolding be?
Where scaffolds are very narrow that the walkways and platforms cannot be more than 46cm wide, fall arrest systems and or guardrails shall be used for protecting the employees from hazards like falling off the platform. The front edges of the platforms should not exceed 36cm from the work face.
How much weight should a scaffold support?
Scaffold components should support their own weight as well as that of a load weighing around 4 times their weight. Each suspension rope used on suspension scaffolds that are non-adjustable should be able to support 6 times the intended weight applied to the rope.
How wide should a platform be?
Each walkway and platform should not be less than 46cm wide.
How far should the front edge of a platform be from the work face?
The front edges of the platforms should not exceed 36cm from the work face. If this is the case then the platforms must have guardrail systems.
What happens if you fail to fix planks?
Whenever you fail to follow these guidelines when fixing or operating on the planks, serious disaster may befall the workers or the building under construction. At the end of the day, this will lead to extra expenses in hospital bills and even worse, lawsuits.
Should scaffolds be moved?
The scaffolds should not be moved whenever there is an employee working on them. Whenever there is an overlapping of platforms, they must be nailed together unless there are supports to restrain their movement. The edges of the platforms should have marks or covered for easy identification.
