Scaffolding. This Section shall also apply to all GWC Sub-Contractors Introduction:

Transcription

1 Scaffolding This Section shall also apply to all GWC Sub-Contractors Introduction: All types of scaffold will be used throughout construction activities. Suitable scaffold will be erected, modified, maintained, inspected daily and dismantled by a Competent Person(s). Scaffold use will require identification of hazards and also supervision and training by a competent person. (Ref. 29 CFR ) Scaffolds will be installed whenever possible and should be used in areas when long periods of work are anticipated. Work outside of scaffolds should be limited to only those areas impractical to installing scaffold. Manbaskets should only be used for short duration work or when building scaffold would be impractical Definitions: a) A Qualified person means 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. In addition to persons meeting the requirements of qualified persons as defined above, person(s) possessing a certification of competence in scaffold erection, dismantling and use issued by trade associations, state approved apprenticeship or training programs or other similar training programs shall be considered a qualified person(s). A copy of this documentation will be placed in the qualified person s employee HR packet as well as on file in the project or facility safety office. Page 1 of 7

2 b) Competent person means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them General Requirements: a) Scaffolding shall be provided for all work that cannot be done safely by employees standing on permanent or stable platforms at least 20 inches wide. Gaps between boards or planking on a scaffold will not exceed 1" except where necessary to fit around uprights, brackets, piping, etc. These areas around uprights, brackets, and piping will be guarded with a toeboard or the use of 100% fall protection. b). Scaffold edges more than 14" from a solid surface must have a guardrail, midrail, and toeboard. 100% Fall Protection shall also be required in the event the gap or leading edge is more than 14 from any wall or solid structure. c). Scaffolds shall be constructed of wood or other suitable materials approved by OSHA or state/province OSHA equivalent agency. Such as steel or aluminum members of known strength characteristics. The scaffold and its parts must provide a degree of strength, rigidity, and safety. d) Planking shall be secured to avoid slippage during use. Planks must extend a minimum of 6" and a maximum of 12" over the support element except for scaffold sections greater than 10'. The end section may exceed 12" if it is designed to support employees or materials and eliminates cantilevering or tipping or if guardrails are provided to block employee access to the overhanging area. Planking on platforms over 10' may not extend over the support more than 18" unless designed and installed as described above. e) Only scaffold parts designed by the manufacturer will be used (scaffold parts from different manufacturers shall not be used to construct a scaffold). Page 2 of 7

3 f) Only individuals designated by the COMPANY as a Competent Person shall erect, inspect daily, modify, dismantle, or move scaffold. Individuals moving, modifying, erecting or dismantling scaffold who are not documented qualified or competent persons will be subject to displinary action up to and including termination. Subcontractors preforming any of the above mentioned could be removed from the project or facility. g) Only competent and qualified persons shall inspect scaffolds for completeness prior to allowing workers access to any scaffold. h) Scaffolds shall be anchored and braced to prevent swaying, tipping, or collapsing. The height of rolling scaffolds may not exceed 4 times the minimum base dimension unless the scaffold is secured and appropriate outriggers are provided. Workers are not allowed on rolling scaffolds during movement. All wheels must be locked before workers are allowed to work on a rolling scaffold. Rolling scaffold shall have a sides fully hand railed and toe boarded. Rolling scaffold shall also be inspected daily and/or prior to beginning of each shift by the designated competent person. i) All scaffolds shall be equipped with a guardrail, midrail, toeboard, and be completely planked from side to side. This requirement is to be met regardless of the height of the scaffold above the ground or adjacent working surface. j) Guardrails must be 42 (+ or -3") above the walking/working surface and capable of withstanding an outward/downward force of 200lbs. Midrails must be installed midway between the top edge of the guardrail (at least 21") above the walking/working surface and capable of withstanding an outward/downward force of 1501bs. Toeboards must be 4" above the walking/working surface capable of withstanding an outward/downward force of 50lbs. k) Scaffolds will have adequate access provided. This may be accomplished by use of ladders, ramps, stair towers, etc. Ladders shall be secured at both the top and bottom and extend three (3) feet above the landing. Swing gates or a similar method of entry onto the scaffold without climbing over the railing will be provided on each scaffold. On ladders greater than 24 feet ladder climbing devices (or retractable lanyards) shall be provided. l) All scaffolds will be built to meet standards that will enable workers to work without using a harness/lanyard system. (Green tagged). Page 3 of 7

4 m) In cases where penetrations, missing railing, openings, or missing midrails, toeboards or other slip, trip or fall hazards may exist scaffold shall be (Yellow Tagged) and 100% fall protection shall be required until the hazard is mitigated or no longer exists. n) If scaffolding members must be used as an anchorage point it may only be done when the Project has documentation from the scaffold manufacturer or an engineer designed set of drawing indicating the scaffold meets all fall protection anchorage point requirements. Anchorage points outside the scaffold must be provided in cases where documentation is not present. o) Workers that may need to exit the scaffold to accomplish work in an unprotected area will wear harnesses and twin SRL. The twin SRL must be secured to an appropriate anchorage point prior to exiting the protective rails of the scaffold and remain attached (100% fall protection) while outside the railing. p) Ladders, stools, boxes, etc. will not be used to extend the reach of workers on a scaffold unless additional railing is installed to protect the worker from falls. (Raising the existing guardrail to meet OSHA standard for guardrails.) q) Areas at the base of scaffolds where ladder access is required shall be kept clear of potential tripping hazards such as cords, leads, building material, and scrap. r) All cords and leads used on scaffolds will be inspected to ensure faulty wiring does not energize the scaffold. All electric cords and welding leads found to be faulty or questionable shall be removed from service. Metallic ties (welding rod s, scrap wire etc.) will not be used to secure the cords to the scaffold. Scaffolds must be separated from overhead power lines using the following chart. Page 4 of 7

5 Insulated Lines Less than 300 volts 3 feet kv 10 feet More than 50kv 10 feet plus.4 inch for each 1kv over 50kv Uninsulated Lines Less than 50kv More than 50kv 10 feet 10 feet plus.4 inch for each 1kv over 50kv s) Scaffolds installed above high activity areas shall have snow fencing (small diameter or equivalent) or plywood placed between the toeboard and midrail to stop material from falling on workers below. Material and tools shall be secured or tethered with the appropriate tether/lanyard to prevent material or tools from falling to the ground or lower level. t) Workers will not work on scaffolds under swinging loads unless those loads are being delivered to the workers on the scaffold. Only those workers receiving the load may be on the scaffold when the load is being set/delivered. u) Areas below scaffold(s) in use will be either yellow for limited access or red barricaded dependent on the work being conducted. All tarps, canopies, or covers used on scaffold will be fire retardant. Cylinders containing flammable products, such as propane, acetylene, or other flammable or combustibles gases shall not be located on the scaffold itself Training: a) All employees who will or may use scaffolding in the course of their work shall be trained in the safe use of scaffold. b) Scaffolds with no tags or current daily/shift inspection shall not be used until inspected and properly tagged. Using an untagged or out of day scaffold is grounds for disciplinary action up to and including termination. Subcontractors accessing scaffold that has no current inspection are also subject to disciplinary action including removal from the project or facility. Page 5 of 7

6 c) Employees shall report scaffolding which has been modified or damaged. Employees shall not access any scaffold that is damaged or has been modified, and not tagged for use. d) Supervisors shall report any changes in scaffold use. e) Employees shall receive training annually and/ or in the event of a scaffold-related incident or safety violation or at any time changes affect the workers accessing the scaffold Tagging System: Red Tag- Do not use Yellow Tag- Hazard present, 100% fall protection required Green Tag- Good scaffold, safe to use. Page 6 of 7

7 SUGGESTED TEST FOR SCAFFOLD PLANKS Scaffolding ) Select a span from the following table that is convenient for the length and size to be tested. Obtain two (2) blocks about 2 long and of a thickness (given in the table) that corresponds to the span and plank size. Set the blocks and plank on a flat surface as illustrated, so that clearance between surface and plank is uniform. 2) Have 2 individuals spring on the board, standing close together at mid-span until it deflects to the surface below several times. Do not apply a load so large that the plank is held against the floor. It should touch the floor only for an instant during springing. 3) Listen for cracking and look for splitting. 4) If no cracking or splitting is noted, turn the plank over and repeat the test. If it cracks or splits, reject it. 5) In case of a faint cracking sound (caused by stretching of fibers near allowable knots), repeat the test, and accept the plank if no further cracking sounds are heard. Table of Block Sizes for Various Spans Plank span Plank size Block size 8 2 x10 or2 x12 2 ½ 10 2 x10 or2 x12 3 ½ 12 2 x12 5 ½ All planks must comply with safety orders in regard to grade, size, condition, etc. The advantage of this system, in addition to simplicity, is that it will show up wood that is brash or contains compression failures, while not damaging good planks. Block Size Span By no means is this manual all inclusive please refer to 29CFR OSHA 1926 Subpart L. Page 7 of 7