Build scaffold safety from the ground up

Scaffolds may seem like simple structures, but they pose numerous hazards:

• Falls from elevation, due to lack of fall protection;
• Collapse of the scaffold, caused by instability or overloading;
• Being struck by falling tools, work materials, or debris; and
• Electrocution, due to the proximity of the scaffold to overhead power lines.

OSHA’s regulations on scaffolds in the construction industry are found in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L. Training requirements are outlined in 1926.454. General industry activities such as window washing and building maintenance are covered by the same construction industry requirements. Workers in both general industry and construction must be trained using the requirements at 1926.454.

Training for employees who perform work while on a scaffold

A qualified person must provide training for employees who perform work while on a scaffold. OSHA defines a qualified person as “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.”

Training must include at least the following areas, as applicable:

• The nature of any electrical hazards, fall hazards, and falling object hazards in the work area;
• 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; and
• The maximum intended load and the load-carrying capacities of the scaffolds used.

Training for employees erecting, disassembling scaffolds

Employees involved in erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, maintaining, or inspecting a scaffold must be trained by a competent person to recognize any hazards associated with the work in question. An OSHA competent person is defined as “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.”

Training must include at least the following topics, as applicable:

• The nature of scaffold hazards;
• The correct procedures for erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, inspecting, and maintaining the type of scaffold in question; and
• The design criteria, maximum intended load-carrying capacity and intended use of the scaffold.

Retraining is required where:

• Changes at the worksite present a hazard about which an employee has not been previously trained; or
• Changes in the types of scaffolds, fall protection, falling object protection, or other equipment present a hazard about which an employee has not been previously trained; or
• Inadequacies in an affected employee’s work involving scaffolds indicate that the employee has not retained the required proficiency.