01 Oct Scaffold Inspections – Scaffolding Safety

Scaffold Inspections – Scaffolding Safety

Scaffold inspections are essential because scaffolds are temporary structures that may be affected by use, weather, damage, improper assembly, or unauthorized modifications. Under OSHA construction requirements, a competent person must inspect each scaffold and its components for visible defects before each work shift and after any occurrence that could affect the scaffold’s structural integrity.

Guide for Discussion

Competent Person Inspection

A competent person must inspect the scaffold before employees are permitted to use it. The competent person must be capable of identifying existing and predictable scaffold hazards and have authorization to take prompt corrective measures.

Employees should also remain alert for unsafe conditions throughout the shift and immediately report any scaffold damage, movement, missing components, or unauthorized modifications.

Never use a scaffold that appears unsafe.

Foundation and Support

Check that the scaffold is erected on a firm, level foundation capable of supporting the loaded scaffold without settling or displacement.

• Footings must be level, sound, rigid, and capable of supporting the scaffold.
• Base plates must be used on supported scaffold poles, legs, posts, frames, and uprights.
• Mud sills or other adequate foundations must be provided when necessary.
• Do not use unstable objects such as boxes, barrels, loose bricks, or concrete blocks to support scaffolds or platform units.
• Check for settlement, shifting, erosion, or other conditions that could affect stability.

Scaffold Capacity

Each scaffold and scaffold component must be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least four times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it, unless another OSHA capacity requirement applies to the specific component.

Consider the combined weight of:

• Employees.
• Tools and equipment.
• Materials and supplies.
• Other loads placed on the scaffold.

Never overload a scaffold or concentrate materials in a manner that could affect its stability.

Bracing, Ties, and Stability

Inspect braces, ties, guys, and connections to ensure they are properly installed and secure.

Supported scaffolds with a height-to-base-width ratio greater than 4:1 must be restrained from tipping by appropriate guying, tying, bracing, or equivalent means.

Check that:

• Cross braces and other structural members are properly connected.
• Required locking pins and coupling devices are installed.
• Ties, guys, and braces have not been removed or loosened.
• The scaffold remains plumb, level, and square.
• Structural members are free from significant damage or deterioration.

Platforms and Planking

Scaffold platforms must be properly constructed, fully planked or decked as required, and capable of supporting the intended load.

Inspect platforms for:

• Cracks, splits, deterioration, or other damage.
• Missing or displaced planks.
• Excessive gaps.
• Improper overlaps.
• Movement or instability.
• Accumulated debris or slippery substances.

Each platform unit generally must extend over the centerline of its support at least 6 inches, unless restrained by hooks or equivalent means.

For platforms 10 feet or less in length, the extension generally must not exceed 12 inches beyond the support unless the platform is designed and installed so the cantilevered portion can support employees or materials without tipping. For platforms greater than 10 feet, the corresponding limit is generally 18 inches.

Scaffold platforms and walkways generally must be at least 18 inches wide, except where specific OSHA provisions permit narrower platforms.

Guardrails and Fall Protection

For most supported scaffolds used in construction, employees working more than 10 feet above a lower level must be protected from falling by an appropriate guardrail system, personal fall arrest system, or other protection required for the particular scaffold type.

Inspect guardrail systems to ensure:

• Toprails and midrails are installed where required.
• Rails are securely attached.
• Components are not damaged or excessively deflected.
• Open sides and ends are properly protected.

For scaffolds manufactured or placed in service after January 1, 2000, toprail height generally must be between 38 and 45 inches above the platform surface. Other provisions apply to older scaffolds.

Different requirements can apply to certain scaffold types and maritime operations, so the requirements applicable to the work being performed must be followed.

Falling-Object Protection

Where employees below could be struck by falling tools, materials, or equipment, appropriate falling-object protection must be provided.

Depending on the hazard, protection may include:

• Toeboards.
• Screens or paneling.
• Guardrail systems.
• Debris nets.
• Catch platforms or canopy structures.
• Barricading the area below.

Where toeboards are used for OSHA construction scaffolds, they must generally be at least 3½ inches high from the top edge of the walking/working surface.

Keep tools and materials away from platform edges whenever possible.

Safe Access

Inspect scaffold access to ensure employees have a safe means of reaching the work platform.

Acceptable access may include:

• Portable ladders.
• Hook-on or attachable ladders.
• Stair towers.
• Scaffold stairways.
• Ramps or walkways.
• Integral prefabricated scaffold access.

Cross braces must not be used as a means of access.

Electrical Clearance

Check for overhead power lines and other energized electrical hazards before erecting, inspecting, using, or moving scaffolds.

Required clearances from energized power lines must be maintained unless the lines have been de-energized, relocated, or appropriately protected in accordance with OSHA requirements.

Weather and Work-Surface Conditions

Inspect the scaffold after weather or other events that could affect its condition or structural integrity.

Employees must not work on scaffolds:

• Covered with snow, ice, or other slippery materials except as necessary to remove them.
• During storms or high winds unless a competent person determines it is safe and required protection is provided.
• When foundation conditions have deteriorated or become unstable.

Damaged or Modified Scaffolds

Scaffolds and components that are damaged or weakened must be immediately repaired, replaced, braced, or removed from service as necessary.

Employees must not make unauthorized modifications to scaffolds.

Do not:

• Remove braces, ties, guardrails, or planking without authorization.
• Substitute makeshift components.
• Weld, cut, drill, bend, or otherwise alter components unless approved for the scaffold system.
• Continue working from a scaffold after discovering a condition that could affect its safety.

Any modification that could affect structural integrity must be evaluated by the appropriate competent or qualified person as required.

Remember

A scaffold that was safe yesterday may not be safe today. Inspect scaffolds before each work shift, report changes or damage immediately, and never use a scaffold until identified hazards have been corrected.