If you’re unsure who qualifies as a competent provider for inspection, training, erection, and dismantling, the first step is to review OSHA’s current definition. Who Is a Competent Person for Inspecting a Scaffold? If the product’s height reaches the minimum regulatory height standard, this process must also incorporate fall protection for the included operations. When someone is building or dismantling a supported scaffold, a trained person must determine the feasibility of providing safe access. If no one from a company can perform this requirement, a third-party provider must complete this work and fill out the associated reports. It is up to each company to provide this resource to their workers, whether it is from internal staff or through a third-party provider.īefore each shift, a trained and competent inspection must review the scaffold and its components to determine if any defects are present. That means if you expect 4,000 pounds to be on the product, you’d need to install a 16-ton capacity unit.Īny suspension scaffold rigging must be at least six times the intended load to comply with the current safety standards.Įmployers that train their workers on scaffold hazards and the procedures to control them must follow local rules and regulations. The scaffold components and overall structure must support at least four times the intended maximum load to comply with current OSHA standards. This element can include bracing, tying, or guying ties. Supported scaffolds and their components that have a 4:1 height-to-base ratio or greater must have tipping restraints installed. In most jurisdictions, you cannot use a safety harness to replace the decking or planking requirement. Workers must have a clear walking path that allows them to work from a stable surface. The platforms must be fully decked or planked when using a supported platform system. It’s expected for the uprights, frames, poles, and legs to bear on mudsills and base plates. They should also be capable of supporting the entire load expected on the product. The footings for an aluminum scaffold must be level. When the crosspoint of crossbracing gets used for this purpose, it must be between 20 to 30 inches above the working surface. When you have aluminum scaffolding built for a job site, the midrails must get installed about halfway between the platform surface and the top rail. It can be up to 48 inches under most regulations. If the crosspoint of your crosspacing is used as a top rail, it must be at least 38 inches above the work platform. If you have an older scaffold that was manufactured before 2000, it can be 36 inches high. This standard applies to all new products purchased today. It can be up to 45 inches high and still be in compliance with most regulations. The top rail height for an aluminum scaffold placed into served after 2000 must be at least 38 inches. If you have a single- or two-point adjustable, suspended scaffold, a guardrail, and a personal fall arrest system are typically mandatory. Guardrails are the typical item used for this purpose, although exceptions exist for single or two-point adjustable products. Here are the safety standards to review if you’re using aluminum scaffolds in today’s working environment.Īluminum scaffolds are required to have a fall arrest system or fall protection available for anyone more than ten feet above a lower level. Because aluminum scaffold construction and use expectations can vary, it is up to individuals and organizations to ensure they comply. When following the key points in this safety guide, it is essential to look at them through the lens of local rules and regulations. When you follow the appropriate safety precautions, it becomes a valuable resource that leads to new economic opportunities for everyone. Aluminum scaffolds are a practical tool workers can use to be productive at height.
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