Sample
Scaffolding Program
I. Statement of Company Policy
(Company Name) is dedicated to the protection of its employees from on-the-job injuries. All employees of (Company Name) have the responsibility to work safely on the job. The purpose of this plan is: (a) to supplement our standard safety policy by providing safety standards specifically designed to cover scaffolding safety; and (b) to ensure that each employee is trained and made aware of the safety provisions which are to be implemented by this plan prior to the start of construction.
This plan applies to all employees who may perform job tasks from working surfaces on or near scaffolds or related work platforms. Scaffolding is frequently necessary to gain access to areas where work is to be performed, is frequently at heights where fall protection is required and regulated, and therefore is always required to have proper maintenance. All employees shall have proper orientation on scaffold use and fall prevention prior to engaging work duties.
Management will assign competent persons for scaffolding and these people will need to have inspected the scaffolding daily prior to use. These competent persons will have the authority to remove from service-related equipment found to be insufficient, and the authority to stop employees from working in an unsafe manor.
II. General Requirements
The proper use of scaffolding will minimize or avoid employee exposure to falls. Preventive controls and measures include establishing a plan to provide safe access to all work areas.
A. Each scaffold and scaffold component shall be capable of supporting, 4 times the intended maximum load.
B. Suspension scaffolds shall be capable of resisting at least 4 times the tipping moment imposed by the scaffold operating at either
1. The rated load of the hoist
2. 1.5 times the tipping moment imposed by the scaffold operating at the stall load of the hoist (whichever is greater)
C. Each suspension rope for suspension scaffold will be capable of supporting 6 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to the rope by the scaffold operating at either:
1. The rated load of the hoist
2. 2 times the tipping moment imposed by the scaffold operating at the stall load of the hoist (whichever is greater)
D. The stall load of the hoist shall not exceed 3 times its rated capacity.
E. Scaffolds shall be designed by a qualified person and shall be constructed and loaded in accordance with that design.
F. All scaffolds shall constructed and loaded in accordance with its design as illustrated by the manufacturer’s recommendations
G. Scaffold components manufactured by different manufacturers shall not be intermixed unless the manufacturers approve the modification.
H. Scaffold components made of dissimilar metals shall not be used unless the competent person determines that galvanic action will not result or reduce the strength of the scaffolding.
III. Scaffold Platforms
Proper use and care of scaffold platforms is essential to maintaining a safe working surface. Without correct use and placement, the scaffold planks may slip, or fail to maintain a stable and full work surface. The following points are essential for all scaffold platform construction
A. Each platform on working levels of scaffolds shall be fully planked or decked between the front uprights and the guardrail supports.
B. Gaps in the decking between the platform and the uprights shall be no more than 1 inch wide, except where the competent person can demonstrate that a wider space is necessary (i.e. around uprights and side brackets). The platform must:
1. Be planked as fully as possible.
2. The remaining space between the uprights and the platform must not exceed 9½ inches (the width of one 10-inch plank).
C. Platforms must be at least 18 inches in width
D. The front edge of the platform shall not be more than 14 inches from the face of the work, unless guardrail systems are erected along the front edge and or personal fall arrest systems are used to protect the employees from falling.
E. The maximum distance from the face for outrigger scaffolds shall be 3 inches
F. For plastering, and lathing operations, the maximum distance from the face shall be 18 inches.
IV. Planks and Plank Extensions
Planking between erected scaffolding relies on good placement to keep the platform secure. If in question, the competent person shall choose the safer option. Scaffolding shall be erected and used in accordance with the standards in Subpart L of the OSHA standard (29CFR 1926.450)
A. Planks at the end of a scaffold shall extend over the centerline of the support:
1. By at least 6 inches.
2. Planks less than 10 feet long shall extend no more than 12 inches
3. Planks 10 feet or longer shall extend no more than 18 inches
B. Scaffolds with planks overlapped to produce a longer scaffold must have:
1. A 12 inch overlap of planks
2. Overlap must be over the support only
3. Planks may be nailed or otherwise secured to slippage or platform failure in the event that a 12 inch overlap can not be achieved
C. Scaffolds which turn or change direction or whenever planking cannot be at a right angle to the supports must be planked below the overlapping planking which is at a right angle to the supports
D. Wood planks shall not have any covered finishes (top or bottom side of plank) which are opaque or which would not allow the competent persons or employees to inspect or see any existing or potential cracks or signs of plank degradation.
V. Supported Scaffolds
A. Supported Scaffolds with the height to width ratio of more than 4:1 shall be tied to the building or structure (or guyed or braced or other equivalent means)
B. The tie-in point shall be at the closest horizontal member to the 4:1 height, or as instructed in the manufacturer’s recommendations
Additional Tie-ins will be:
1. Every 20 feet vertically thereafter (3 foot wide scaffolding)
2. Every 26 feet vertically thereafter (Greater than 3 foot wide scaffolding)
3. Every 30 Feet of horizontal scaffold
4. When eccentric loads may apply forces to the scaffold (i.e. outrigger platforms)
C. Baseplates shall be used in all instances. Mud sills shall be added when additional support is necessary (always necessary on all dirt, grass, or back filled material)
D. Footings shall be level
E. No mobile equipment shall be used to support scaffold (i.e. forklifts)
F. Scaffolds shall be erected in accordance with the manufacturer recommendations.
If the manufacturer does not give a recommendation, all cross braces shall be used.
VI. Mobile Scaffolds
A. Shall be braced by cross, horizontal, or diagonal braces (or combination)
B. Scaffold casters and wheels shall be locked during use
C. When moving the scaffold, the manual force to move the scaffold must not be more than 5 feet above the supporting surface (to avoid top-heavy concerns)
D. Forklifts, trucks, similar motor vehicles or add-on motors shall not be used to propel the scaffold (unless specifically designed for this by an engineer)
E. Scaffolds shall be stabilized to prevent tipping during movement
F. Employees are not allowed to ride scaffolding while scaffolding is being moved
G. No employee is on any part of the scaffold which extends outward beyond the wheels, castors, or other supports
H. Platforms shall not extend outward beyond the base supports of the scaffold
I. Screw jacks or equivalent shall be used to level the scaffold
VII. Employee Training
Scaffolding training will be performed by a company designated competent person for each employee who may work on or near scaffolds. Scaffold usage training will be refreshed on an annual basis. Site-Specific (or task specific) training will be performed prior to beginning the work tasked.
Training Shall Include:
1. Overview of the Scaffolding Program and related standards
2. Recognize hazards related to scaffolding
3. Procedures to be followed to minimize hazards while working on, assembling, disassembling, scaffolding as well as installing or uninstalling fall protection
4. Training in the selection and use of ladders, and stairway materials
5. Manufacturer’s recommendations for equipment to be used.
6. The nature of Electrical hazards, Fall hazards, and Falling Object hazards in the work area and Procedures to avoid or control these hazards
7. Fall protection systems to be used and how they are to be installed
8. Proper construction, use, placement and care of the scaffolding
9. Each employee who is involved in erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, maintaining, or inspecting scaffolding must be trained by a competent person to recognize any hazards associated with the scaffold.
VIII. Fall Protection
A. Each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet above a lower lever shall be protected from falling through the use of guardrails (fall protection standard) or the use of personal fall arrest systems.
B. Guardrails systems shall be installed along all open sides and ends of platforms.
C. Fall protection must be used while erecting or dismantling when feasible.
D. The Competent person shall determine if fall protection is feasible during the erection or dismantling
E. The Competent person shall determine appropriate anchor points for fall arrest.
F. Guardrails or appropriate devices shall be installed before the scaffold is released for use.
IX. Disciplinary Actions
Failure to comply with the Scaffolding Program or the related standards will result in disciplinary actions as illustrated in the company’s Safety and Health Program.
THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS “SAMPLE” SCAFFOLDING PROGRAM HAS BEEN COMPILED FROM VARIOUS SOURCES BELIEVED TO BE RELIABLE. HOWEVER, IT CANNOT BE ASSUMED THAT ALL ACCEPTABLE MEASURES ARE CONTAINED IN THIS PROGRAM WITH REGARDS TO YOUR INDUSTRY STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS UNDER PARTICULAR FEDERAL, STATE, PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL LAW.
5
04-00 Revised