Bailey Safety Training Consultants - Scaffolding Safety Training
Helping you Reduce Workplace Accidents . . .
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B.E.S.T. is conducting Scaffold Safety Training specifically targeted to residential contractors. Efforts have included working with the local Home Builders Association and conducting training for entire companies including all their sub-contractors.
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Scaffolding & Scaffold Safety Training
There is a great deal of emphasis placed on Scaffold Safety and rightfully so due to the hazards associated with erecting, dismantling and working from a scaffold. Along with a great emphasis comes a great deal of confusion, misunderstanding and rumors about scaffolds. Some of this may be a result of the many OSHA regulations associated with Scaffolding. In this article, I want to help dispel some rumors and offer some practical insight into Scaffold Safety.
Questions to Consider When Evaluating Scaffold Safety
The number one question to consider about Scaffolds is, "how will you establish and maintain a safe Walking Working Surface?". This question is key when considering the basic intent of Scaffolding, because, in reality, a Scaffold is a temporary, elevated safe walk work surface.
The Code of Federal Regulations 29CFR1910 "General Industry" Subpart D "Walking Working Surfaces" and 29CFR1926 "Construction" Subpart L "Scaffolds" are closely related and give us the basic regulations for Scaffolds. That principle consists of three main principles.
- #1 Scaffolds are used to safely access work that cannot be done from the ground or be reached by other feasible means.
- #2 Scaffolds are to be erected and inspected by a "qualified" or "competent" person. A Qualified or Competent person is defined by someone who has a recognized degree or certification or who has extensive knowledge, training and experience and can successfully demonstrate the ability to solve or resolve problems related to the work being done.
- #3 All workers who work from scaffolds must be trained.
The application of these principles is somewhat simple, but confusion enters the equation because there are no specific guidelines to address each and every work site condition. Much of the decision making process for choosing a scaffold to meet a specific application is left up to you. Some applications might seem more straight forward than others. Take window washing for instance, depending on the design of the building and configuration of the windows is a Swing Stage applicable, or Needle Beam Scaffold more appropriate?
Scaffold Safety and Residential Construction
Now consider the issues faced by residential construction workers. Residential is an industry that has not received that same level of attention and support as the commercial side of the industry has enjoyed. Setting rafters, brick laying, installation of siding and the application of roofing takes on an entirely new prospective and set of problems to be resolved. In the past several months OSHA has been targeting residential construction and is issuing citations related to scaffolds and fall protection. There is a cultural shock taking place among residential contractors as they are being brought into compliance. Resources are somewhat limited and scaffolding applications are not as clearly defined as many other industries.
Bailey Safety Consulting Scaffold Safety Training
Bailey Safety Consulting is conducting Scaffold Safety Training specifically targeted to residential contractors. Efforts have included working with the local Home Builders Association and conducting training for entire companies including all their sub-contractors. The following check list has been included to assist you with an inspection process. The check list is not designed to address every scaffold application but rather gives a general idea of the types of issues an OSHA field inspector might be looking for.
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