When scaffolds are not erected or used properly, fall hazards can occur. About 2.3 million construction workers frequently work on scaffolds. Protecting these workers from scaffold-related accidents would prevent about 4,500 injuries and over 50 fatalities each year.
When OSHA revised its scaffolds standard back in 1996, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) showed that 25% of workers injured in scaffold accidents had received no scaffold training. Also, 77% of scaffolds were not equipped with guardrails to keep workers safe.
In a recent BLS study, 72% of workers injured in scaffold accidents say the accident was caused by either planking or support giving way, employees slipping on surfaces, or employees being struck by falling objects.
Click the button to see a real-life summary of a scaffold accident.
A mason was fatally injured when he fell approximately twelve feet from the second level of an unguarded tubular welded scaffold system. It is not known what the victim was doing at the time of the incident; however, a witness saw him walk to the edge of the scaffold and place his foot on a piece of iron scaffold bracing. He either tripped or lost his balance, and fell to the sand covered asphalt below. They transported the victim to the local hospital where he died two hours later.
Investigators concluded that in order to prevent similar future occurrences, employers should:
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1. To prevent most scaffold injuries, the employer should make sure _____.
a. scaffold supports are tied offA scaffold an elevated, temporary work platform. There are three basic types of scaffolds:
We will cover the common supported and suspended scaffold types. Click on the button to see a more complete list of scaffold types.
2. What are the three basic types of scaffolds?
a. Supported, Frame, and Wood-poleWorkers who use scaffolds can be divided into two groups: erectors/dismantlers and users.
Erectors/Dismantlers
Erectors/Dismantlers: Erectors and dismantlers are those workers whose are mainly responsible for assembling and disassembling scaffolding. This is done before other work can continue, and/or after they have completed the work.
Users: Scaffold users are those whose work requires them, at least some of the time, to be supported by scaffolding.
Qualified Persons: Employers are required to have a qualified person provide training to each employee who uses, erects, or dismantles scaffolds. The qualified person must also do adequate pre-planning to ensure the scaffold is erected properly.
Pre-planning includes:
We'll cover responsibilities for qualified person later in the module.
In August, 1992, two workers were erecting an aluminum pump jack scaffold. As they were raising the second aluminum pole, the pole came into contact with an overhead power line. The pole being raised was 29 feet 10 inches long and the line was 28 feet 10 inches high. The line was approximately 11 feet from the house. One employee died, and the other suffered severe burns and was hospitalized. The surviving employee noted he thought they had enough room to work around the power lines, which were not de-energized or shielded.
3. Who must do adequate pre-planning to ensure the scaffold is erected properly?
a. A competent dismantlerIt’s important to know some of the common terms when dealing with scaffolding. For example, when an employee goes from one job site to another, knowing the proper scaffolding terms will improve communications and safety.
See definitions for the most common terms in OSHA's scaffolding standard 1926.451-454 by clicking on the button below.
For a more complete list of terms with definitions, see OSHA's 1926.450, Scaffolds.
4. Which of the following scaffold terms means a work surface elevated above lower levels?
a. PlatformOSHA's scaffolding standard has number of key provisions:
5. For most scaffolds, at what working-surface height must workers be protected from falls by guardrails or a fall arrest systems?
a. Four or more feet above ground levelOSHA's scaffolding standard defines a competent person as "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 prompt corrective measures to eliminate them."
The standard requires a competent person to perform the following duties under these circumstances:
Click on the button to see competent person duties and responsibilities.
Competent persons are responsible to:
6. Who must conduct scaffold training in erecting, disassembling, operating, repairing, and maintaining scaffolds?
a. A designated personThe scaffold standard defines a qualified person as "one who -- by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience -- has successfully demonstrated his/her ability to solve or resolve problems related to the subject matter, the work, or the project."
The qualified person must perform the following duties in these circumstances:
Click on the button to see qualified person duties and responsibilities.
Qualified persons are responsible to:
A "Registered Professional Engineer" is a person who is registered as a professional engineer in the state where the work is to be performed. However, a professional engineer, registered in any state is deemed to be a "registered professional engineer" within the meaning of OSHA standards.
The scaffold standard requires a registered professional engineer to perform the following duties in these circumstances:
Click on the button to see registered engineer responsibilities.
Registered engineers are responsible to:
Scaffold training should be conducted by a qualified person certified by the employer to conduct training. Certified trainers must train all employees who erect, disassemble, move, operate, repair, maintain, or inspect scaffolds.
Click on the button to see criteria for a qualified scaffold trainer.
Qualified Trainer Criteria:
7. Who is responsible for training scaffold workers how to recognize hazards and understand procedures?
a. A registered engineerThe employer must have each employee who performs work while on a scaffold trained by a person qualified in the subject matter to recognize the hazards associated with the type of scaffold being used and to understand the procedures to control or minimize those hazards. The training must include the following areas, as applicable:
Click on the button to see general mandatory scaffold training topics.
General mandatory training topics include:
In additional to the mandatory general training, scaffold erectors and dismantlers should also receive specific training for the type of supported scaffold being erected or dismantled.
Click on the button to see specific scaffold training topics for erectors and dismantlers.
Training for the specific types of scaffolds being erected or dismantled includes:
When the employer has reason to believe that an employee lacks the skill or understanding needed for safe work involving the erection, use or dismantling of scaffolds, the employer must retrain the employee so they regain requisite proficiency.
Click on the button to see when retraining is required.
Retraining should be done when the following conditions exist:
8. Which of the following is an additional specific training topic for scaffold erectors and dismantlers?
a. Electrical hazardsRead the material in each section to find the correct answer to each quiz question. After answering all the questions, click on the "Check Quiz Answers" button to grade your quiz and see your score. You will receive a message if you forgot to answer one of the questions. After clicking the button, the questions you missed will be listed below. You can correct any missed questions and check your answers again.
Watch this NAHBTV video on scaffold safety. Scaffolds, or temporary work platforms, can provide a safe and more efficient way to work in construction, but the use of scaffolds is also one of the leading causes of injuries on construction sites.