INTRODUCTION

This training information has been prepared by the Safety and Health
Consultation Program at Georgia Tech with the technical collaboration of
Mr. Jun C. Rodriguez and under the sponsorship of OSHA. Its content may
be copied and distributed for free, and the only request made to the user
is that Georgia Techs Safety and Health Consultation Program be
acknowledged as the source. All information contained in this training is
believed to be correct by the authors, but it is important to point out that,
this is not an official OSHA publication and has not been revised or
approved by OSHA. The user should be aware that the recommendations
provided in this training do not replace any OSHA standard or regulation.

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Georgia Tech Research Institute
260 14th Street, Fourth Floor
Atlanta, GA 30332-0837
Voice : (404) 407-7431
FAX : (404) 407-8275
Web http//www.oshainfo.gatech.edu
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1926.450-1926.454

WHAT IS A SCAFFOLD?
A scaffold is any temporary elevated

platform (supported or suspended) and

its supporting structure (including points
of anchorage), used for supporting both
employees and the materials to be used

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A scaffold

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Most Common Accidents While

Working on a Scaffold
Falls due to lack of:
A guardrail system
Personal fall arrest systems
Proper access (from ladders incorrectly
used)
Electrocution:
Worker touching energized power lines
Working materials or scaffolding frame
touching energized power lines
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Most Common Accidents cont

Impacts from objects falling from the scaffold:
Tools, materials falling from the platform
Scaffold parts dropped during the process of

erecting or dismantling

Collapse of scaffold:
High and unstable scaffolds not secured with

ties, guys, and braces

Small scaffolds are also commonly involved
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Most Important Safety Factors?

Train the workers
Begin erecting a scaffold on a firm, solid supporting foundation
Install / connect all components/parts correctly
Tie the scaffold with a ratio of 4: 1
Do not overload with construction materials
Platform must be fully planked
Use guardrail systems and personal fall arrest systems
Inspect the scaffold before starting each working shift
Provide a safe means of access
Provide additional protection through toe boards and/or screens so

that tools, materials, debris, or equipment do not fall from a scaffold

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SCAFFOLDS BASE
Legs shall bear on base plates or adjustable screw

jacks
Place thick, solid wood planks under the legs or

use other adequate firm foundation, when

necessary
Legs, posts, and frames must be plumb and braced

(straight/ without leaning)

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The base

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Leveled and plumb

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Parts of a scaffold
The base/ foundation
The fabricated end frames (tubular frames)
The transverse bracing (crossbracing) members

(X)

The platforms made of thick and solid plank units

Guardrail systems for fall protection
The access system in place
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Parts of a scaffold

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Scaffolds supporting capacity and

use
A scaffold shall be erected so that it be capable

of supporting its own weight and at least 4

times the maximum intended load transmitted to
it

Never overload it with construction materials

A competent person must inspect it before the

start of each working shift

Any damaged part or member must be replaced

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Competent Person
One who is capable of identifying existing and

predictable hazards

One who identifies conditions which are

unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous to

employees

One who has authorization to take prompt

corrective measures to eliminate them

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Competent person

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ACCESS TO A SCAFFOLD
From the moment it is erected to the moment it is

dismantled

Ladders must be compatible with the type of scaffold

Rule of two feet / space (gap) between rungs
Rest platforms at certain vertical intervals
Type of surface
Cleanliness
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Scaffolds access

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FALL PROTECTION

Applies to each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet

above a lower level

Ascertain who the competent person is

Make use of a vertical lifeline or a horizontal lifeline, if

required

The top edge height of toprails and their strength must be in

accordance to specified measurements and loads

The transverse bracing (crossbracing) members (X) may be

used as one of the safety rails

The working platform must be planked as fully as possible

from end to end-- with thick and solid plank units, except
when erecting or dismantling a scaffold
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Fall protection

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Protection
Platform

planks shall overlap at least 12 inches or

otherwise be secured (immobilized)

Wood platforms shall not be covered with opaque finishes

(paint)

A portable ladder shall never be placed for use on the

platform

The edges of the platform shall be protected through toe

boards that retain any potential falling object (tools or

construction material)

A canopy structure shall be erected if employees pass

below

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Overlapping platform planks

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How to stack construction materials

on a scaffold platform
Always proportionately distribute

materials
where
there
is
solid
support
(tube)
underneath the platform planks

Never place material on a platform section

which does not have any support underneath

Platform planks shall not deflect more

than 1/60 of the span when loaded

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 Materials stacked on the

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Securely tie and brace scaffolds against

the building
A ratio of four to one (4 : 1) height to base

width
shall be used when placing ties
vertically

Every 30 feet at horizontal intervals, placing

ties at each end of the scaffold and at edges

Gauge 9 wire may be used

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Scaffolds inspections
Who has to perform them?
Include all component

parts/members
Type of damage/irregularities to look

for: physical and structural

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Employee Training
Five main areas to be considered:

Falls
Access
Materials and objects on a scaffold platform
Risk of electrocution
Collapse of a scaffold

Procedures for correcting

irregularities/defects in the erecting

process of a scaffold
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Training, cont
Appropriate use of a scaffold
Maximum load-carrying capacity
Subpart L requirements
Training for
qualified

persons/competent

persons
Retraining so that the requisite proficiency is
retained, and the level of competency is
consolidated
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