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237 lines
6.8 KiB
Markdown
237 lines
6.8 KiB
Markdown
# OSHA Scaffolding Safety Standards - 29 CFR 1926.451
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## General Requirements
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### Scope and Application:
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This standard applies to all scaffolds used in construction work, including supported scaffolds, suspended scaffolds, and other scaffolding systems.
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### Competent Person Requirements:
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- Must supervise scaffold erection, movement, dismantling, or alteration
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- Capable of identifying hazards and taking corrective action
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- Authority to stop work when unsafe conditions exist
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## Capacity and Loading
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### Load Requirements:
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- **Light duty**: 25 lbs/sq ft working load + 4:1 safety factor
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- **Medium duty**: 50 lbs/sq ft working load + 4:1 safety factor
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- **Heavy duty**: 75 lbs/sq ft working load + 4:1 safety factor
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### Platform Loading:
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- Maximum intended load must not exceed rated capacity
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- Load must be distributed evenly
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- Account for workers, materials, tools, and equipment
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### Design Requirements:
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- Designed by qualified person when exceeding certain heights
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- Design calculations maintained on job site
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- Load testing may be required for certain configurations
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## Platform Construction
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### Platform Width:
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- Minimum 18 inches wide for most scaffolds
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- May be reduced to 16 inches for certain specific applications
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- Cannot be less than 16 inches in any case
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### Platform Materials:
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- **Solid sawn wood planks**: Minimum 2-inch nominal thickness
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- **Fabricated scaffold planks**: Meet manufacturer specifications
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- **Metal platforms**: Designed for intended loads
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- **Other materials**: Must meet equivalent strength requirements
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### Platform Gaps and Openings:
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- Maximum gap of 1 inch between platform and uprights
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- Gaps over 9½ inches must be covered or guarded
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- Openings must not allow objects to fall through
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### Platform Support:
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- Must extend over support at least 6 inches
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- Cannot extend over support more than 12 inches
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- Must be secured to prevent movement
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## Access Requirements
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### General Access:
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- Provided where cross-braces create access points
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- Portal frames, stair units, or ladder access required
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- Cannot climb cross-braces for access
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### Stair Access:
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- Required for scaffolds with vertical height changes over 2 feet
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- Stair width minimum 18 inches
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- Rise height 6¼ to 9½ inches
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- Run depth minimum 8 inches
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### Ladder Access:
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- Rungs aligned with scaffold platform
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- Side rails extend 3 feet above landing
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- Secured top and bottom
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- Horizontal ladder access acceptable in some cases
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## Fall Protection
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### Fall Protection Required:
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- All platforms more than 10 feet above lower level
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- Some specific scaffold types require protection at 6 feet
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- Must use guardrail systems, personal fall arrest, or both
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### Guardrail Systems:
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- Top rail height: 38-45 inches above platform
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- Mid rail height: Approximately 21 inches
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- Top rail capable of withstanding 200 lbs force
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- End strength requirements for uprights
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### Personal Fall Arrest:
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- Anchorage capable of 5,000 lbs per person
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- Full body harness required
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- Lanyard or connecting device limits free fall
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- Avoid swing hazards
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## Specific Scaffold Types
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### Tube and Coupler Scaffolds:
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- Tubes and fittings must meet strength requirements
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- Connections properly tightened
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- Bracing requirements for stability
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- Maximum spacing requirements
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### Frame Scaffolds:
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- Manufactured frame components
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- Proper cross-bracing installation
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- Platform securement requirements
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- Base plate and mudsill requirements
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### Outrigger Scaffolds:
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- Limited platform extension beyond support
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- Counterweight or tie-back requirements
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- Platform width limitations
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- Load capacity restrictions
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### Mobile Scaffolds:
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- Height-to-base ratio limitations
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- Caster and wheel requirements
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- Stabilization when in use
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- Movement restrictions with workers present
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## Supported Scaffold Requirements
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### Foundation and Base:
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- Level, sound, and capable of supporting loads
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- Use base plates and mudsills when required
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- Adequate size and thickness of mudsills
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- Level platforms within tolerances
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### Vertical Members:
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- Plumb within manufacturer tolerances
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- Proper connections at joints
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- Adequate bearing surfaces
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- Bracing requirements met
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### Horizontal Members:
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- Level within specified tolerances
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- Proper connection to vertical members
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- Load distribution capabilities
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- Structural integrity maintained
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## Suspended Scaffold Requirements
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### Suspension Methods:
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- Wire rope properly sized and maintained
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- Suspension points engineered for loads
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- Safety factors for all suspension components
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- Regular inspection requirements
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### Counterweights:
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- Properly sized for intended loads
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- Secured to prevent displacement
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- Material specifications
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- Placement requirements
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### Personal Fall Arrest on Suspended Scaffolds:
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- Independent lifeline required
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- Separate anchorage from scaffold support
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- Full body harness mandatory
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- Qualified person supervision
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## Inspection Requirements
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### Daily Inspections:
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- Before each work shift
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- After any occurrence that could affect integrity
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- By competent person
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- Document deficiencies and corrections
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### Inspection Checklist:
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- Platform integrity and securement
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- Guardrail systems completeness
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- Access provisions adequacy
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- Structural connections tightness
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- Foundation stability
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### Defective Components:
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- Remove from service immediately
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- Tag as unusable
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- Repair or replace before use
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- Re-inspect after repair
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## Training Requirements
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### Topics Must Include:
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- Recognition of applicable hazards
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- Procedures to control hazards
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- Proper use of personal fall arrest systems
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- Materials handling on scaffolds
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- Maximum intended loads
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### Who Must Be Trained:
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- Workers who work on scaffolds
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- Workers who erect, dismantle, move, or alter scaffolds
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- Competent persons supervising scaffold work
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### Documentation:
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- Training records maintained
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- Competent person qualifications documented
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- Retraining when procedures change
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## Common Violations and Best Practices
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### Most Common Citations:
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1. Missing or inadequate fall protection
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2. Improper scaffold access
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3. Platform construction deficiencies
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4. Inadequate foundations
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5. Missing competent person supervision
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### Safety Best Practices:
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- Pre-planning scaffold installations
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- Using manufacturer instructions
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- Regular competent person inspections
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- Proper material handling procedures
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- Weather-related precautions
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### Documentation Requirements:
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- Inspection records
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- Design calculations when required
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- Training documentation
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- Incident reports
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## Weather and Environmental Considerations
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### Wind Conditions:
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- Work restrictions based on wind speed
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- Tie-down requirements
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- Platform material securement
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- Weather monitoring procedures
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### Electrical Hazards:
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- Minimum distances from power lines
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- Grounding requirements when applicable
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- Non-conductive materials where required
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- Lockout/tagout procedures
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### Other Hazards:
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- Ice and snow removal
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- Chemical exposure considerations
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- Fire prevention measures
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- Load shift prevention |