Scaffold Safety
Scaffolds are one of the most common ways for workers to safely scale heights on a project. As falls continue to be the leading injury in the workplace, safely installing and using scaffolds are important to worker safety and health.
What is the OSHA Standard?
The OSHA Standard for Scaffolding is 1926 Subpart L which covers construction, use, and fall protection criteria for scaffolding. Subpart L also reviews additional requirements needed for the different scaffolding types.
What are the Training Requirements?
OSHA Standard 1926.454 specifically covers training requirements for scaffolding. All employees who perform work on a scaffold shall be trained by a qualified person to recognize the hazards associated with the specific scaffolding type in use. All employees who erect, dismantle, or move scaffolding must be trained by a competent person to recognize hazards and how to mitigate them.
What Should the Training Cover?
Training for employees working on scaffolds should include:
- Electrical, fall, and object hazards in the work area and how to deal with them
- Proper use of scaffold and proper material handling techniques
- Maximum load capacity for scaffold type in use
Training for employees erecting/dismantling scaffolds should include:
- Specific scaffold hazards when it comes to erecting or dismantling
- Correct procedures for erecting, dismantling, moving, operating, repairing, inspecting, and maintaining each scaffold type in use
- Maximum load capacity for scaffold type in use
Retraining for employees is required when new hazards are introduced, a new scaffold type is required, or if an employee has shown deficiencies in their training. While retraining is not required by OSHA, it is recommended that retraining be completed every three years.
Additional Training Topics
Additional training topics to consider include:
- Qualified Person – a person who possesses a degree, certificate, or by extensive knowledge/training demonstrated ability to resolve problems of work at hand. Need this trained employee to provide training for scaffold users
- Competent Person – a person who is capable of identifying/predicting hazards and has authority to correct or eliminate hazards. Need this trained employee to provide training for erectors and dismantlers
- Scaffold Designer – workers who are qualified to design scaffold systems. Depending on the type of scaffold and its’ use, a professional engineer may be required in lieu of Scaffold Designer
Resources & Safety Related Topics
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