SCAFFOLDING SAFETY PROGRAM

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1 SCAFFOLDING SAFETY PROGRAM Introduction Gay Construction Company has instituted plans and procedures to provide a stable, sound, secure and adequately constructed scaffold system on each job that requires scaffolding use. Each job has its own requirements, so various types of scaffolding may be used, including support and suspension types, depending on the particular job and the location. Purpose To provide and establish minimum specific regulations for all employees of Gay Construction Company who perform any work from an elevated work surface. Policy Gay Construction Company has instituted this program in an effort to provide a safe workplace and requires that employees recognize hazards that indicate an unsafe scaffold at any job location, and implements plans to correct any problems immediately. Scope This Scaffolding Safety Program covers all employees of Gay Construction Company that must perform job-related activities from a scaffold of any kind, and any work that occurs from a scaffold platform. Definitions Scaffold - any temporarily elevated platform (supported or suspended) and its supporting structure (including points of anchorage), used for supporting employees or materials or both. Bearer - a horizontal transverse scaffold member (which may be supported by ledgers or runners) upon which the scaffold platform rests and which joins scaffold uprights, posts, poles and similar members. Body Harness - a personal protective device made of nylon webbing, with D-rings at the center of the back, used to distribute load from a fall over the employee s thighs, pelvis, waist, chest and shoulders. Competent Person - one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous to 22-1

2 employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. Coupler - a device for locking together the tubes of a tube and coupler scaffold. Maximum Intended Load - the total load of all persons, equipment, tools, materials, transmitted loads and other loads reasonably anticipated to be applied to a scaffold or scaffold component at any one time. Personal Fall Arrest System - consists of a body harness, lanyard, deceleration device and an anchorage. Positioning Device - consists of a body harness or belt and lifeline connected to an anchorage. Rated Load - the manufacturer s specified maximum load to be lifted by a hoist or to be applied to a scaffold or scaffold component. Qualified Person - 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. Guardrail System - a vertical barrier, consisting of, but not limited to, top rails, midrails, and posts, erected to prevent employees from falling off a scaffold platform or walkway to lower levels. Unstable Objects - items whose strength, configuration or lack of stability may allow them to become dislocated and shift, and therefore, may not properly support the loads imposed on them. Unstable objects do not constitute a safe base support for scaffolds, platforms or employees. Examples include, but are not limited to barrels, boxes, loose brick and concrete blocks. Responsibilities A. Gay Construction Company has developed and implements this Scaffolding Safety Program to eliminate unsafe elevated work platforms in the workplace. Training has been arranged and provided to employees, as well as recognition of unsafe conditions, by Gay Construction Company. Analysis of the particular types of scaffold used has been conducted, and the rules herein have been established. A Scaffold Inspection Report/Competent Person Daily Checklist form (GCC 115) will be completed each day by the designated Competent Person. 22-2

3 B. The Safety Director is the coordinator of the Scaffolding Safety Program, and ensures that training is provided for affected employees. Any necessary fall protection equipment is obtained for use by employees by the Safety Director, and is provided by Gay Construction Company. All information relating to training and use of fall protection equipment is maintained by the Safety Director. C. The individual employees who must use a scaffold to perform their assigned duties are to use only scaffolding which has been erected by trained erectors under the supervision of a competent person. Frequent inspections are required of the Competent Person of the scaffold in use, and if a hazard is noted or repair is necessary, the Superintendent is to be notified. D. Periodic safety audits are conducted by the Safety Director to view conditions and determine if the scaffolding being used is adequate. Revisions to this Program are made if deficiencies are found. Procedures A. General Information - All elevated scaffolding work greater than ten feet requires that fall protection be used. Guardrails, positioning devices or a body harness and secured lanyard shall be worn by each employee working on a scaffold. Double lanyards, lifelines, self-retracting lifelines/lanyards etc. may also be used with full body harnesses in a manner to provide fall protection while performing elevated work. Each job is scheduled and evaluated by qualified employees, and methods are devised for providing fall protection to all employees whose work requires them to be above ten (10) feet. The method of fall protection must be installed and in place before the work begins. 1. Work on or from scaffolds is prohibited during storms or high winds. 2. Employees work from the platform, not upon makeshift devices, such as boxes, barrels, etc. 3. Ladders are not used to increase height of work location from a scaffold platform. 4. Platforms are loaded so that deflection is less than 1/60 of the span. B. Types of Scaffolds 1. Support Scaffolds - designed to be constructed from a solid foundation, not using unstable objects as bases. The maximum intended load is determined by the Competent Person. a. Pole Scaffolds are not generally used by Gay Construction Company. b. Tube and Coupler Scaffolding is used where necessary and the manufacturer s instructions are followed and loading requirements derived from Subpart 'L' which is included in the Highlights of the OSHA Standards, Section 2, of this Written Safety Program. 22-3

4 c. Fabricated Frame Scaffolds are frequently used on projects by Gay Construction Company. A Competent Person performs frequent and regular inspections and directs erecting and dismantling operations. Employees selected by the Competent Person are used for these types of operations. A 4 to 1 safety factor is be used by a qualified person when setting up scaffolding. d. Large area scaffolds in use follow guidelines as described by the OSHA Standards and particular type of scaffold, tube and coupler or fabricated frame. e. Plasterer/Decorator and Bricklayers square scaffolds when used are made of structural wood and follow recommended procedures in the back of this section. f. When horse or carpenters bracket scaffolds are used, they are made of structural wood. g. When pump jack or ladder jack scaffolds are used, manufacturer s instructions are followed. Ladder jack scaffolds are not used at a height greater than 20 feet. h. When step and trestle ladders are used as work platforms, manufacturer s literature and safety requirements are followed. Highlights of Subpart X are included in the Highlights of the OSHA Standards, Section 2, of this Written Safety Program. i. Mobile scaffolds, when used, are no higher than 4 times the minimum base dimension, and have locking casters, ladders and guardrails. 2. Suspension Scaffolds - designed to be constructed to support a minimum of 4 times the load imposed by the scaffold with materials and personnel, operating at the rated load. a. Form scaffolds are built out of structural wood and bolted and secured to the formwork. b. Outrigger scaffolds, when used, have the inboard structural members adequately secured, use adequate planking, have a guardrail and have no greater than a 3 gap between the planking and the structure. c. Chicken ladders in use are made of structural wood and adequately secured. d. Single point suspension scaffolds, including boatswain chairs, have adequate anchor points, for both the scaffold and for separate fall arrest. Employees wear fall arrest equipment when these types of scaffolds are used. e. Two point adjustable suspension scaffolds, including swing stages, stonesetters and mason s multiple point scaffolds, have platforms no greater than 36 wide, are adequately secured, stabilized and anchored. Employees wear personal fall arrest equipment when working from these types of scaffolds. f. When float, interior hung and needle beam scaffolds are used, follow the requirements of Subpart L which is included in the Highlights of the OSHA Standards, Section 2, of this Written Safety Program. 22-4

5 C. Protective Equipment Required 1. Only body harnesses and lanyards in new or nearly new condition will be used. 2. Body harnesses will have their straps properly fastened at all times when in use. 3. Body harnesses and lanyards will be inspected by the individual employee. 4. Lanyards shall not exceed six feet in length. 5. Lanyards will be connected to a rigid anchorage that will support a minimum of 5000 pounds per person. 6. Hard hats, hard soles shoes and long pants are worn. 7. If rigid anchorages are not available above the work area, a horizontal lifeline will be designed by a qualified person and installed, and lanyards will be connected to this horizontal cable. D. The following situations are considered to be elevated work where fall protection is to be used, but are not limited to: 1. All scaffolding work where the work platform is ten (10) feet or more above the ground or any other lower level. 2. When working on scaffolds over ten (10) feet or higher that are not guarded by railing of high. Special care must be taken when working near overhead power lines where a possibility of electrocution may exist. 3. Working from mobile scaffolds, safety platforms, scissors lifts, articulating or extendible booms and any other equipment capable of elevating an employee above ten (10) feet. 4. Working from a scaffold that is not guarded by railing of high. When there is nothing overhead to attach the lanyard, then it may be feasible to hook to the top bearer of the scaffold. The lanyard should be tied off to limit the length of fall to no more than 4 feet and the scaffold is adequately secured to prevent toppling over. If this cannot be done, then a horizontal lifeline is to be installed and used to protect the employee. 5. Any time protective guardrails or other systems are removed on a temporary basis exposing the employee to a potential fall of more than ten (10) feet. E. Types of Fall Protection Systems Used with Scaffolding 1. Guardrails Systems - A fall protection method constructed of wood not less than 2 x 4 nominal size, at approximately 42 inches (+/- 3 inches) high, with a midrail located at approximately 21 inches high, and a toeboard at least 3-1/2 inches in height. Support posts are at intervals not to exceed 8 feet. Guardrails are to be strong enough to withstand at least 200 pounds of thrust in any direction at any point on the top rail. There is no more than 19 inches of space between midrail and top rail, or from midrail to toeboard. 22-5

6 2. Positioning Devices - when the particular jobsite warrants their use, anchorage points are established prior to work beginning and must be capable of supporting 3,000 pounds per employee each. Positioning devices may include, but are not limited to, body belts with double D-ring attachments for pole climbing or positioning, body harnesses or belts with limit ropes, or body harnesses with selfretracting lifelines/lanyards. 3. Personal Fall Arrest System - includes anchorage points capable of supporting 5000 pounds per employee, lanyards no greater than 6 feet in length, deceleration devices and body harnesses. No employee may be exposed to a fall and not have each piece of equipment when using this system. Inspection of personal equipment is the responsibility of the individual employee prior to each use. F. Scaffold Platforms 1. Each elevated platform on all work levels is fully planked between the front uprights and a guardrail system. If guardrails are not used, a fall arrest system is required. 2. Planking is located within 1 inch of each other, except where the planking has to fit around uprights when side brackets are in use. No more than a 9-1/2 inch gap is permitted in this case. 3. Each platform or walkway is a minimum of 18 inches wide, or guardrails and/or personal fall arrest is used. 4. The front edge of the scaffold, either from the platform or from the side bracket, is no greater than 14 inches. 5. The platform is extended a minimum of 6 inches over edge supports, unless cleats are used. 6. Overlapping of long platforms is only at end supports and is no less than 12 inches, unless they have been nailed together. 7. Only scaffolding from the same manufacturer is used at any one location. This will make certain that the components match so as not to force together during erecting and dismantling which will properly align, square, and level frames. G. Supported Scaffold Criteria 1. Guys, ties or braces are used when the minimum base width to height ratio exceeds 4 to Guys, ties or braces are attached to both inner and outer legs. 3. Guys, ties or braces are installed as described in Subpart L in the Highlights of the OSHA Standards, Section 2, of this Written Safety Program. 4. Support legs bear on base plates and mud sills. 5. When a forklift is used, a specially-designed platform with secured guardrails will be provided and used only when: a. The platform is chained or otherwise anchored to the lift. b. Single-stage forklifts are used. 22-6

7 H. Suspension Scaffold Criteria 1. Outrigger beams are made of structural metal and restrained to prevent movement. 2. Inboard ends of outriggers are connected to the floor or roof, or are stabilized by adequate counterweights, and stabilized by tiebacks to a solid anchorage. 3. Ropes are inspected by a Competent Person prior to each work shift and as necessary. If any hazards are found, no work is allowed until repair is made. 4. When using a crane or derrick to lift a work platform with personnel aboard, the following procedure will be used: a. Each situation will be analyzed carefully before a decision is made to hoist employees by a crane or derrick. When a safer method is available (such as a scissors lift, a ladder, etc.), it will be used. A permit to lift must be filled out and signed by the safety director before the lift is made. b. The crane used is to be tested and documented monthly. A full cycle operational test lift will be made at the rated capacity of the crane. The crane will not exceed 50% of its rated capacity while lifting personnel. c. The cable, guides and hooks will be inspected prior to each lift. Where possible, there will be a minimum of three cable clamps secured to the lifting cable and the cable drum. The work platform will be secured to the lifting mechanism above the hook with a choker cable or chain. d. The crane will be placed on firm ground, and the crane or derrick must be leveled. The crane operator will have full control over the movement of the personnel platform. Any movement will be performed slowly and cautiously without any sudden jerking of the crane or the platform. e. When the occupied personnel platform is in a stationary position, all brakes and locking devices on the crane are to be set. f. The combined weight of the loaded personnel platform and its rigging must not exceed 50% of the rated capacity of the crane or derrick. g. Cranes with variable angle booms have a boom angle indicator that is visible to the operator. Cranes with telescoping booms are equipped with a device that clearly shows the boom s extended length, and the load radius is accurately determined before hoisting employees. Cranes and derricks also are equipped with: i. An anti-two-blocking device that prevents contact between the load block or overhaul ball and the boom tip, or ii. A two-block damage feature that deactivates the hoisting action before damage occurs. h. The platforms used for lifting personnel are designed with a minimum safety factor of five, and they are designed by a qualified engineer or a manufacturer of such platforms. The suspension system is designed to minimize tipping when personnel move on the platform. i. Each personnel platform is provided with a standard guardrail system that is enclosed from the toe-board to the mid-rail to keep tools, materials, and equipment from falling on employees below. The platform also has a grab 22-7

8 rail, overhead protection when needed, adequate headroom for employees, and a plate or other permanent marking that clearly indicates the platform s weight and rated load capacity, or maximum intended load. j. An access gate, when provided, does not swing outward during hoisting and has a restraining device to prevent accidental opening. A safety harness with lanyard attached must be worn at all times by employees who are working from a basket. k. Inspection and Testing - A trial lift is made before any employees are allowed to be hoisted. During the trial lift, the personnel platform is loaded to 125% of its anticipated lift weight. The lift must start at ground level or at the location where employees will enter the platform, and proceed to each location where the personnel platform is to be hoisted and positioned. The crane or derrick operator checks all systems, controls, and safety devices to ensure that: j. They are functioning properly. ii. There are no interferences. iii. All configurations necessary to reach work locations will allow the operator to remain within the 50% load limit of the hoist s rated capacity. 5. If a crane or derrick is moved to a new location or returned to a previously used one, the trial lift is repeated before hoisting personnel. Before employees are hoisted, a Competent Person checks to ensure the following: a. Hoist ropes are free of kinks. b. Multiple part lines are not twisted. c. The primary attachment is centered over the platform. d. There is no slack in the wire rope. If the rope is slack, the hoisting system must be inspected. e. The controlled load-lowering feature must be used when lowering personnel. The free fall option is never used while hoisting or lowering employees. The lowering speed should never exceed 100 feet per minute (power up and power down). f. Cranes do not travel while employees are suspended. g. The crane operator assures good footing for the outriggers. For any personnel lifting performed where the outrigger cannot be placed on concrete, the manufactured outrigger pads will be used. 6. Overhead hazards - When personnel are required to work in elevated areas above pedestrians or vehicle traffic areas where tools, equipment, etc. may fall and cause injury to personnel passing below, the area is barricaded or roped off with safety tape to restrict entry into the danger zone. 7. Inclement weather - When weather conditions make climbing and working surfaces hazardous, overhead work shall not be performed until hazards have been removed. 22-8

9 I. Access 1. Portable ladders, hook-on ladders, attachable ladders, stair towers, ramps, runways, integral prefabricated scaffold access, or direct access from another scaffold are used when a platform is more than 2 feet above or below another work surface. 2. Cross braces are never used to access a scaffold. 3. Hook-on attachable ladders are specifically designed for the scaffold in use. 4. The maximum step to a ladder or stair is less than A ramp or runway is less than a 3 to 1 slope and has cleats attached. 6. The frame of the scaffold is only used for access during erection and dismantling operations and 3-point contact is maintained by the employee. Fall arrest equipment is used when this contact is infeasible. J. Aerial Lifts include scissors lift (vertical towers), extensible beam platforms, aerial ladders and articulating boom platforms. 1. Field modifications are only made when certified in writing by the manufacturer. 2. Only authorized operators are allowed to use an aerial lift. 3. Lift controls are tested each day prior to use by the operator using the Aerial Platform Safety Checks form (GCC 116). 4. Employees do not tie-off to adjacent poles, structures or equipment, but are attached to the basket. 5. On vertical towers, employees use fall arrest equipment when the manufactured and guardrail system is missing or damaged. 6. Employees stand on the floor of the basket when working from an aerial lift. References 29 CFR Part 1926 Construction Industry Standards, Sunbelt Scaffold Rental & Sales Safety Updates. Scaffold Industry Association, Inc. and Scaffolding, Shoring & Forming Institute, Inc., July Occupational Safety & Health Reporter, Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.,