SCAFFOLDCODE:

Guidelines forSafe Practices

Scaffold Association AnnouncesSafety Code; Will Begin

Development on“Procedures” Document

T he promotion of safe practicesin scaffolding work took a sig-

nif icant advance with the recentannouncement by the Scaffold Con-tractors Association of its “Code ofSafe Pract ices for Erect ing andDismantling Steel Scaffolds.”

The code, reproduced on thenext page for wall and ceiling con-tractors, was months in the mak-ing by a special committee chairedby Ted Hashimoto.

In announcing the new code, D.Victor Saleeby, Managing Directoro f t he re l a t i ve l y new bu t f as t -growing associat ion, pointed outprinted copies are being distribut-ed to association members through-out the nation.

At the same t ime, addi t iona lcommittees are continuing work onother codes o f safe pract ice tocover other types of scaffoldingwork and genera l work hazardssuch as shoring, swing staging,and mobile work platforms.

While the “Code of Safe Prac-tices” is designed to provide work-men with safety guidelines, Salee-by said, an immediate effort willcommence to develop an industry-r e c o m m e n d e d “ P r o c e d u r e s f o rErect ing and Dismant l ing Stee lScaf fo lds . ” These “Procedures”will be designed to provide work-men with recommended “how-to”steps to follow.

To achieve maximum effective-ness from the Code, the ScaffoldC o n t r a c t o r s A s s o c i a t i o n u r g e seach employer to provide a copy toeach of his employees who is in-volved with scaffolding.

A master copy should be kept inthe contractor’s office so that em-ployees may sign and date a state-ment that they have rece ived acopy of the Code and understandits contents.

Additional copies should be post-ed where visibility is high and eachforeman should be provided withone.

Planning the announcement of the Scaf- President Gerald Towse, center, flankedf o l d C o n t r a c t o r s A s s o c i a t i o n ’ s n e w by Vice President David Beatty, I., and“Code” on scaffolding safety are SCA Managing Director D. Victor Saleeby.

For contractors who lease thescaffolding rather than erect it, itwould be advisable to include acopy wi th the lease agreement .Where an unqual i f ied person isleasing a piece of equipment, theassociation suggests providing himwith instructions regarding safetyas well as operating procedures asa step to reduce liability.

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SCAFFOLD CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION, INC.14039 SHERMAN WAY, VAN NUYS, CALIFORNIA 91405

CODE OF SAFE PRACTICESFOR

ERECTING & DISMANTLING OF STEEL SCAFFOLDS

It shall be the responsibility of all employees to read and comply with the following common sense rules which are designedto promote safety in the erecting and the dismantling of scaffolds. These rules do not purport to be all-inclusive nor tosupplant or replace other additional safety and precautionary measures to cover usual or unusual conditions. If these rulesin any way conflict with any state, local, or federal statute or regulation said statute or regulation shall supersede these rulesand it shall be the responsibility of each employee to comply therewith.

I . GENERAL RULESA. SURVEY THE JOB SITE: A survey shall be made of the jobsite for (a) hazards such as untamped earth fills,

ditches, debris, high tension wires, unguarded openings, hazardous conditions created by other trades; (b) properposting of notices required by law such as location of emergency services (ambulance, hospital, etc.), OSHAposters, etc.; and (c) adequacy of sanitation and drinking water.

B. INSPECT ALL EQUIPMENT BEFORE USING: Never use any equipment which has any obvious defect. Defec-tive equipment should be immediately repaired or removed from the jobsite.

C. DO NOT ERECT OR DISMANTLE SCAFFOLDS WHEN OTHER CRAFTS ARE WORKING DIRECTLYABOVE OR BELOW THE AREA WHERE YOU MUST PERFORM YOUR WORK.

D. NEVER USE EQUIPMENT FOR PURPOSES OR IN WAYS FOR WHICH IT WAS NOT INTENDED.E . REPORT ANY UNSAFE CONDITION. NEVER TAKE CHANCES. Do not work on scaffolds if your physical

condition is such that you feel dizzy or unsteady in any way.

II. ERECTING SCAFFOLDSA. PROVIDE ADEQUATE SILLS for scaffold

posts and use base plates.B. USE ADJUSTING SCREWS or other approved

method, instead of blocking, to adjust to un-even grade conditions.

C. PLUMB, LEVEL, AND TIE all scaffolds aserecting proceeds. Do not force braces to fit.Free standing scaffold towers must be re-strained from tipping by guying or other means.

D. BRACING: Each frame or panel shall be bracedby horizontal bracing, cross bracing, or anycombination thereof for securing vertical mem-bers together laterally. All brace connectionsshall be made secure, in accordance with manu-facturers recommendations.

E. DO NOT CLIMB CROSS BRACES. Keepbalance.

F. PLANKED OR STAGED AREAS should beprovided with proper railings.

G. DO NOT ERECT SCAFFOLDS NEAR ANYELECTRICAL POWER LINE UNLESSPROPER PRECAUTIONS ARE TAKEN.

H. DO NOT USE ladders or makeshift devices ontop of scaffolds to increase the height.

I. PLANKING:1. Use only “scaffold” grade plank.2. Visually inspect plank prior to use to be sure

plank is not warped, damaged, or otherwiseunsafe.

3. Planking shall have at least 12" overlap andextend 6" beyond center of support, or becleated at both ends to prevent sliding offsupports.

4. Fabricated scaffold planks and platforms(unless cleated or restrained by hooks) shallextend over their end supports not less than6" nor more than 12".

J. ALL SCAFFOLDING ACCESSORIES shall beused and installed in accordance with the manu-facturers recommended procedure.

K. FOR ROLLING SCAFFOLDS THE FOLLOW-ING ADDITIONAL RULES APPLY:1. Joints shall be provided with lock pins, or

bolts, or equivalent fastening, including casterjoints.

2. Wheels or casters shall be provided with alocking device and kept locked during erec-tion and dismantling.

3. Do not extend adjusting screws on rollingscaffolds more than 12".

4. Do not use brackets or other platform ex-tensions without consideration of overturn-ing effect.

5. The working platform height of a rollingscaffold must not exceed four times thesmallest base dimension unless guyed orotherwise stabilized (CAL/OSHA and someGovernment agencies call for stricter ratioof 3 to 1).

6. Cleat or secure all plank.III. DISMANTLING SCAFFOLDS

A. Check to see if scaffolding has been structurallyaltered in any way which would make it unsafe,and, if so, reconstruct where necessary beforecommencing with dismantling procedures.

B. Visually inspect plank prior to dismantling tobe sure they are safe to work on.

C. Components should be lowered as soon as dis-mantled in a safe manner so as to protect per-sonnel below.

D. Do not accumulate excess components orequipment on the level being dismantled.

E. Dismantled equipment should be stockpiled inan orderly manner.

© Scaffold Contractors Association, Inc. 1975 37