Princeton University Model Scaffolding Program
Scope: This program covers the planning, erection, and use of temporary elevated work platforms (i.e. scaffolds) by Princeton employees. All employees who utilize a scaffold are expected to follow the procedures set forth in this document. Scaffold design, erection, and use shall be compliant with all local, state, and federal guidelines.
For the purposes of this document, all scaffolds erected by Princeton University employees to be of supported frame, ladder jack, pump jack or system type scaffolds. Additionally, prior to erection, all supported scaffolds in excess of 3 frames high (vertically and / or exceeding 4:1 height to base ratio) and 3 frames wide (horizontally) shall be either erected by professional scaffolding contractors or shall be coordinated and planned with a professional engineer who is familiar with and considered to be a competent person in the design and erection of scaffolds (i.e. determining appropriate tie-offs and bracing, weight load and distribution, scaffold access, fall protection, etc.).
Definitions and Roles: The following definitions and roles apply to the scaffold program:
Scaffold – A scaffold is defined as any temporary elevated platform (supported or suspended) and its supporting structure (including points of anchorage), used for supporting employees or materials or both.
Fabricated Frame Scaffold (tubular welded frame scaffold) is a scaffold consisting of a platform(s) supported on fabricated end frames with integral posts, horizontal bearers, and intermediate members. Typical frame types used by Princeton employees include: walk-through frames, mason frames, and ladder type frames.
Narrow Frame (Baker / Perry style) scaffolds are scaffolds that have wheels and are often used as mobile scaffolds. The end frames of a narrow frame scaffold usually measure less than 3 feet in width. These scaffolds can be adapted to be used on ramps, stairs, and other uneven surfaces under the guidance of a competent person.
System Scaffold is a scaffold consisting of posts with fixed connections points that accept runners, bearers, and diagonals that can be interconnected at predetermined levels.
Pump Jack Scaffold is a supported scaffold consisting of a platform supported by vertical poles and movable support brackets
Ladder Jack Scaffold is a supported scaffold consisting of a platform resting on brackets attached to ladders.
Competent Person – A competent person is an employee who is capable of identifying existing or predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has the authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate these hazards. Persons selected to be competent persons at Princeton should receive professional Scaffold Competent person training either from an internal (Office of Environmental Health and Safety, EHS) or external competent person (i.e. Scaffold Training Institute or similar vendor). Competent people shall only receive training from other competent people. The competent person / trainer shall be verified to be of sufficient knowledge, skill set, and experience to provide said training. The department will designate, identify, and provide training for competent persons within the department. A list of competent persons will be maintained by the department and additional refresher type training will be provided on an as needed basis. The periodicity of this training to be determined by EHS and the department’s management, but should not exceed a period of 5 years from the previous training. The department also to provide competent person with document indicating that they are competent persons representing their respective departments and shall agree to uphold all local, state, and federal rules and regulations as they relate to scaffolding.
A competent person’s responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
· Design and preplanning of the scaffold including weight limitations, scaffold type, fall protection, tie-offs, supports, etc.
· Overseeing the erection of the scaffold
· Final inspection of the scaffold prior to initial occupation for use.
· At a minimum, daily inspection and documentation of the condition of the scaffold and its ability to be occupied safely.
· Inspections of scaffolds after changes / alterations have been made.
· Oversight and inspections of mobile scaffolds.
· Training of other competent persons, scaffold erectors, and users.
· Contact EHS for assistance and guidance in any of the duties associated with being a Competent Person.
Scaffold Erector – Scaffold erectors are those employees who have been designated (based on training and experience) by the department to be the employees who are responsible for the erection and maintenance of department scaffolds on the Princeton University campus. Only authorized scaffold erectors can erect scaffolds on campus. Erectors can solicit materials and components from other employees who may be on the ground, but the ultimate adding / subtracting of components to a scaffold shall be accomplished by an authorized scaffold erector. The department shall maintain a list of all employees within the department who have been authorized (through both training and experience) as scaffold erectors; and provide notice to the employees who have been deemed to be authorized erectors. Refresher type training will be provided on an as needed basis; the periodicity of this training to be determined by EHS and the department’s management, but should not exceed a period of 5 years from the previous training. Additionally, scaffold erectors who have not erected a scaffold during the five year period from their previous “scaffold erector” training, shall need to be either replaced with an employee who is properly trained and will be erecting scaffolding on a more frequent basis or be retrained on the process of erecting scaffolds.
A scaffold erector’s responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
· Erecting scaffolds in accordance with local, state, and federal. Erectors also must abide by all manufacturer recommendations and be capable of erecting scaffolds under the guidance of a competent person.
· Inspecting all scaffold components prior to assembly to insure that components used are of similar material and in good repair before becoming a part of the completed scaffold. This includes (but is not limited to): mudsills, screw jacks, frames, braces, planks, access ladders, brackets, etc.
· Maintaining fall protection requirements while erecting / dismantling scaffolds.
· Providing a scaffold to the user that is free from recognizable and preventable hazards (i.e. fall protection systems in place, falling object prevention in place, appropriate access / egress to and from the scaffold, appropriate anchorage and stability of the structure, appropriate walking / working surfaces, maintaining appropriate clearances from electrical hazards, etc.)
· Prior to occupation scaffold erectors must notify the competent person that the scaffold has been erected and is ready to be inspected.
· Training of other scaffold users if needed.
· Contacting and coordinating with the Competent Person regarding any issues associated with the erection of a scaffold.
· Contacting EHS if there is a concern regarding the erection of the scaffold.
Scaffold User – A scaffold user is defined as any employee who utilizes an elevated temporary work platform (scaffold) to perform work. Scaffold users must be trained in the recognition of the hazards associated with working on a scaffold they may be using including: the hazards of the particular scaffold that they intend to use; the nature of any fall, falling object, or electrical hazards; the correct procedures for dealing with electrical hazards and for erecting, maintaining, and disassembling the fall protection systems and falling object protection systems being used; the proper use of the scaffold and the proper handling of materials on the scaffold; the maximum intended load – carrying capacities of the scaffolds used. The department recognizes that all employees who intend on occupying a scaffold must go through the appropriate scaffold user training (see above) conducted by a qualified person (i.e. EHS staff Competent person, or qualified person). Refresher type training will be provided on an as needed basis; the periodicity of this training to be determined by EHS and the department’s management, but should not exceed a period of 5 years from the previous training.
A scaffold user’s responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
· Examining the scaffold tag (which should be affixed near the access point) to verify that a competent person has deemed the scaffold safe for use. This must be done prior to initial use of the scaffold each shift.
· Refusing to occupy a scaffold prior to the Competent Person providing documentation indicating that the scaffold has been inspected and deemed safe. Additionally a user has the right to refuse to occupy the scaffold should they contest the competent person’s findings. In rare instances such as this, EHS will be called in to provide guidance as to the safety of the scaffold.
· Notifying the competent person of any safety concerns associated with the erection, conditions, use, and / or maintenance of the scaffold.
· Utilizing scaffolds in accordance with all local, state, federal, manufacturer, and institutional rules and regulations.
· Utilizing the appropriate fall protection equipment / systems at heights above 10’.
Training is to be provided as mentioned above. Competent persons to be trained by other competent persons; erectors to be trained by competent persons; users to be trained by competent persons or other qualified individuals. Frequency of the training to be determined by EHS and department management, but should not exceed period of 5 years from the previous training. Refresher training also to be provided whenever there is an indication that the individual in question, whether they be a competent person, erector, user, or qualified person, exhibits a lack of understanding of the manufacturer, local, state, and federal requirements associated with the inspection, erection, or use of scaffolds. Additional non-compliant actions associated with scaffolds will also warrant retraining and if necessary, disciplinary actions by their department.
Procedure:
When the use of a scaffold has been determined to be necessary, the determining party must consult with his or her supervisor to determine who and how the competent person will be assigned to the task. The supervisor should reference the departmental competent person list (as mentioned above) and either assign the task to the competent person within their own department (if they have an individual on the list) or contact the supervisor of another listed competent person (in a different department) to determine their availability to assist with the project.
Once a competent person has been determined for the project, the competent person should be consulted so as to help determine the type of scaffold that will be needed (i.e. light duty, medium duty, heavy duty, narrow frame, system, pump jack, ladder jack) to safely complete the project.
The competent person should then determine which erectors will be utilized to erect the scaffold. The competent person will reference the departmental list of erectors and make his / her selections (again based on shop and availability) and notify the supervisor requesting the use of the scaffold as to their selections. The requesting supervisor will make contact with the supervisors of the erectors and confirm their availability to assist with the project.
The supervisor requesting the scaffold, in consultation with the competent person, will set up the delivery of the scaffold to the location where it will be erected.
The competent person will then coordinate with the erectors as to when the scaffold should be erected. The competent person should also conduct a brief meeting (prior to the onset of work) and go over any known hazards that the erectors are likely to encounter during the work. All concerns / issues that the erectors may have during the process should be directed to the competent person overseeing the work.
The erectors will then set up the scaffold in accordance with all local, state, and federal requirements. Additionally the erectors must also comply with any manufacturer recommendations for proper set up as well as any Princeton University requirements for scaffold erection and use.
Once the erectors have completed the scaffold set-up, and before anyone occupies the scaffold, a competent person must inspect the scaffold to determine that it is safe to occupy. When the scaffold is complete, the erectors will take a red “out of service” scaffold tag and affix it to the scaffold at the point of entry onto the scaffold. The tag should be attached so that it is highly visible to anyone who may attempt to enter the scaffold prior to its inspection. At this point the scaffold erector should contact the competent person and recommend that they should come and physically inspect the scaffold.
The competent person will then come out to the work site and examine the scaffold. The competent person should reference the “Scaffold Inspection Checklist” attached in Appendix A to assist with the inspection. If all erected components are within compliance, the competent person should attach a green “SCAFFOLD INSPECTION” scaffold tag to the scaffold in a highly visible location preferably near the access entry of the scaffold. The competent person must date and initialize the scaffold tag in the appropriate location so that anyone occupying the scaffold can clearly read that the scaffold has been inspected on the day of use. By way of the inspection and the subsequent tagging of the scaffold, the scaffold is deemed safe to occupy and work can begin by employees who have been trained as scaffold users.
NOTE: The inspection process should be repeated (at a minimum) each shift before anyone climbs onto the scaffold to utilize it for any purpose. Additionally, anytime that a change occurs to the scaffold (i.e. change of platform height, guardrail alterations, location changes, etc.) the competent person will need to re-evaluate the scaffold and insure that it is safe to occupy after changes have been made by the appropriate personnel (i.e. scaffold erectors).
Appendix A - Scaffolding Inspection Checklist
Inspection Item / Yes / No / N/A / Action / CommentFoundation / General Inspection Items
Have employees who erect, disassemble, move, operate, repair, maintain, or inspect the scaffold been trained by a competent person to recognize the hazards associated with this type of scaffold and the performance of their duties related to this scaffold
Are scaffolds erected on firm foundations?