EQUIPMENT SAFETY

1926.451(A)(1) 1926.451(F)(3) 1926.451(F)(4)

Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(5) and (g) of this section, each scaffold and scaffold component shall be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it. Scaffolds and scaffold components shall be inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift, and after any occurrence which could affect a scaffold’s structural integrity. Any part of a scaffold damaged or weakened such that its strength is less than that required by paragraph (a) of this section shall be immediately repaired or replaced, braced to meet those provisions, or removed from service until repaired.

These are the OSHA Regulations concerning the inspection, use and condition of scaffold equipment. Notice that an inspection must be made by a Competent Person at least at the beginning of each work shift to be certain that the equipment is in proper condition. Inspections must be maintained throughout the shift to ensure the scaffold(s) stay up to compliance. This Competent Person must be assigned to this duty. For example if there is 3 Competent Persons on a crew, the Superintendent (one of the CPs) must appoint which CP is going to do the pre-shift inspection rather than leaving it to chance that one of them will do it.

Again, this inspection is not just checking for safety rails, toeboards, ladders, etc., but for the condition of the equipment as well. If a component has been damaged by a vehicle hitting it, a crane bumping it with a load, something dropped on it from a higher level, or other abuse, it must be changed out immediately. The defective equipment must be marked and put aside so that it isn?t used again on-site and kept separate so that it can be returned to the yard and repaired if possible. There have been many scaffold collapses and subsequent injuries and deaths due to defective scaffold components being used.

Please take extra care in ensuring we are working safe by a pre-shift inspection, periodic inspection during the shift, and each employee working from the scaffold also doing an inspection of the scaffold they are about to work off of.