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Safe Work Practices (SWP)

SWP (25) SCAFFOLDING “Scaffolding” is a temporary structure used to support people and material in the construction or repair of buildings and other large structures. It is usually a modular system of metal pipes or tubes, although it can be from other materials. Scaffolding is a useful tool in construction. Scaffolding must be well built and it is essential that all workers follow proper safety procedures when working on / near scaffolds. Guidelines

Follow the work jurisdiction’s OHS Regulations that apply to the use, maintenance and inspection of scaffolding – keep in mind that scaffolding safety regulations may vary depending on the work location and industry!!!

If scaffolding is required for a work site, when possible, hire the scaffolding supplier to install the system at the work location.

When you rent or purchase a scaffold system follow these practices:

Ask for and use sufficient planks (min. 20ft) to secure proper footing.

See that scaffolding is provided with guardrails and other necessary components and materials.

Scaffolds may only be erected or dismantled by, or under the direction of, qualified persons (Follow assembly instructions/ drawings).

It is recommended that scaffold frames and components manufactured by different companies should not be intermixed.

Make certain that any scaffold you rent is safe to work on. If there are any concerns, immediately report the issue to the scaffolding supplier/rental company.

All scaffolding systems are to be of a type and quality approved by the work jurisdiction’s OHS Regulations.

Locking devices (stud and wing nut locks, sliding locks and gravity locks) should be inspected regularly.

A work platform must consist of lumber or manufactured scaffold planks placed side by side to provide a work surface with a minimum nominal width of fifty (50) cm (20 inches).

Wooden planks are to have a minimum of fifteen (15) cm (6 inches) and maximum of thirty (30) cm (12 inches) overhang.

Scaffold planks are to be cleated or otherwise secured against dislodgement.

Wooden planks are to have minimal knots and be straight grained.

Connecting sleeves must be pinned.

Scaffolding systems must be set up on solid ground.

Horizontal cross bracing is required every third section.

The use of a shore or lean-to scaffold is not allowed.

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Safe Work Practices (SWP)

Never lean against handrails or guardrails.

Never leave an opening uncovered. Provide a cover or guardrail and report the condition to your Supervisor immediately.

Never leave loose tools and materials where there is a danger of them falling.

Rebar is not to be used for scaffolding.

Do not use scaffolding for other than it’s intended purpose!

Do not ride equipment hoists to get up to scaffolding work area.

Inspect all parts of the scaffold before and regularly during use. Do not use damaged or heavily rusted equipment; its strength in this condition is not known. If in doubt, do not use.

When grade conditions are uneven, use adjusting screws rather than blocking to achieve a level surface (height adjustment devices must not extend more than 2/3 of their total length of 61 cm (24”) whichever is less.

Do not force the braces to fit. Instead, plumb and level the scaffold during the erection which will make fitting easy.

Do not climb cross braces. Access to scaffold levels up to nine (9) meters (30 feet) above grade must be made via frames with ladder-type design, a fixed vertical ladder, or a portable ladder stairway. Access to scaffold levels above nine (9) meters (30 feet) must be made via a fixed vertical ladder, a temporary passenger hoist approved by the Elevating Device Branch of British Columbia or stairway erected for the full height of the scaffold.

Freestanding scaffolding must be restrained from tipping when height exceeds three (3) times the minimum base dimension.

Open ends and sides of scaffold platforms must be provided with upper guardrails, midrails, and tow boards where there is a drop of three (3) meters (10 feet) or more.

Do not use ladders or other devices on top of scaffold to increase the working height.

Remove snow and ice from the scaffold before work has commenced.

Do not keep more material than required for a day’s work on the scaffold and never exceed the load capacity.

Remove all lightweight materials at the end of the work period so that they will not blow away in high winds.

Distribute scaffold loads as evenly as possible rather than concentrating them at an one point on the scaffold.

Do not throw or drop objects from the scaffold. Use a hand line to raise or lower them. Communicate to crews above when assembling scaffolding as well as when scaffolding is being disassembled.

When dismantling scaffolding, barricade area around scaffold being taken apart to ensure workers do not enter area where there is risk components may fall.

Scaffolding will be erected on a firm base or sill. Pallets, boxes building blocks and other materials must not be used to support scaffolds.

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Safe Work Practices (SWP)

All scaffolds must be erected plumb and level.

All scaffolds ten (10) feet or more above the grade must have standard guardrails about their open sides.

To prevent overturning, the height of any free standing tower or rolling scaffold must not exceed three times the minimum base dimension, unless the scaffold is adequately tied or guyed.

Never make additions or alternations to scaffolding (i.e. equipping the scaffold base with wheels) on the job site.

In some cases, Scaffolding inspections can only be done by a Professional Engineer or with the written consent of the Professional Engineer.

Workers must have safe access and egress from the scaffolding system (stair case, etc.).

A scaffold must be constructed, installed and used in accordance with instructions of a Professional Engineer with respect to:

o A scaffold exceeding 38 meters (125ft) in height;

o A scaffold exceeding 25 meters (80ft) in height if stairways are included as part of the scaffold system;

o A scaffold suspended or cantilevered from a structure.

o A signed copy of the engineer’s instructions or certification referring to the above requirements must be available at the project site during installation, disassembly and the use of the system.

Scaffold should be removed from service if

o The scaffold has been in contact with exposed energized electrical equipment or conductors.

o The scaffold shows signs of structural damage or substantial wear.

o The scaffold should not be used again until it can be inspected and re-certified by a Professional Engineer.

SCAFFOLDING INSPECTIONS

If scaffolding systems are used on a project site, scaffolding Inspections must be done on a regular as per the Manufacturers’ Specifications and OHS Regulations/ Code.