#Supported scaffold ladder how to

Make sure that you know what kind of scaffold you’re using, and how to erect, dismantle, and use it safely. There are dozens of different types of scaffolds, each with its own set of hazards and protective measures. Supported scaffolds have rigid supports suspended scaffolds are suspended by non-rigid means, such as ropes, from an overhead structure. It’s important to start mapping out your compliance strategy now.Ī scaffold is an elevated, temporary work platform. That’s a generous amount of time – but it may also represent a significant capital outlay, especially if you have a lot of long fixed ladders to replace or retrofit. Employers have until Novem(20 years from the date of publication of the revised standard) to replace cages and wells on all ladders extending more than 24 feet with a ladder safety or personal fall arrest system. However, under the revised standard, cages or wells for fall protection are being phased out. In addition, employers must ensure that employees do not use the top steps and caps of stepladders as steps.Īs of November 19, 2018, all existing fixed ladders are required to have a cage, well, ladder safety system or personal fall arrest system. Are not placed on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain added height.Are not fastened together to provide added length (unless they are designed for this kind of use).Are not moved, shifted, or extended while a worker is on them.Are secured and stabilized when they are used on slippery surfaces.

#Supported scaffold ladder portable

Employers are responsible for ensuring that portable ladders: Portable ladders are the kind you might use at home: folding stepladders, straight ladders, and extension ladders. Inspected before each work shift for defects that could cause injury.Mobile ladder stands and platforms must be capable of supporting four times their maximum intended load.

Capable of supporting their maximum intended load.Workers must be protected from falling when they use fixed or portable ladders, as well as mobile ladder stands and platforms. With the exception of some requirements for updating fixed ladders, the requirements of the updated standards became effective in 2017. In 2016, OSHA updated its general industry walking-working surfaces standards (found in Subpart D) and its scaffold standards (found in Subpart I). Four of the agency’s 10 most cited standards in 2017 were related to fall prevention, including the rules for ladder safety and scaffolds. Use braces, tie-ins and guying as described by the scaffold's manufacturer at each end, vertically and horizontally to prevent tipping.Falls are one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in the workplace, and OSHA is serious about preventing them.

Check for employees under the platform and provide falling object protection or barricade the area.

Check for guardrails and midrails on platforms where work is being done.

Check to see if the platform is 14 inches or more away from the wall or 18 inches or less away if plastering or stucco.

Check to see if 10-foot or shorter planks are 6 to 12 inches over the center line of the support, and that 10-foot or longer planks are no more than 18 inches over the end.

Check to see if the planks are close together, with spaces no more than 1 inch around uprights.

If the planks deflect one-sixtieth (1/60) of the span or 2 inches in a 10-foot wooden plank, the plank has been damaged and must not be used.

Check wooden planks for cracks, splits greater than one-quarter (1/4) inch, end splits that are long, many large loose knots, warps greater than one-quarter (1/4) inch, boards and ends with gouges, mold, separated laminate(s), and grain sloping greater than 1 in 12 inches from the long edge and are scaffold grade lumber or equivalent.

Do not use the crossbraces as a ladder for access or exit.

Check metal components for bends, cracks, holes, rust, welding splatter, pits, broken welds, and non-compatible parts.

Check legs, posts, frames, and uprights to see if they are on baseplates and mudsills.

Check footings to see if they are level, sound, rigid, and capable of supporting the loaded scaffold.

Verify that the scaffold is the correct type for the loads, materials, employees, and weather conditions.

Make sure that tools and materials are at least 10 feet away from energized powerlines.

Check to see if powerlines near scaffolds are de-energized or that the scaffolds are at least 10 feet away from energized powerlines.

Inspect scaffolds and scaffold parts daily, before each work shift, and after any event that may have caused damage. Brief description of the inspection process that should be gone through before each work shift to ensure that there are no hazards related to the scaffold.