Scaffolding Safety Saves Lives And Prevents Injuries

Scaffolding is a necessary part of many construction projects. It makes work easier and more efficient, but it is not without its own risks. 10,000 scaffolding accidents occur every year on constructions sites in the United States. Nearly 50 percent of them could have been avoided by following safety standards set forth by OSHA. That means that you can help prevent accidents and spare your workers the pain and suffering (and possible death) caused by unsafe scaffolding setups.To do this, you need to understand best practices and safety regulations pertaining to scaffolding.  Although some of the regulations set by OSHA, such as the physical requirements of scaffolding, are straight-forward and specific, the regulations regarding who is legally allowed to oversee the setup of scaffolding is less specific. Here's what you need to know.

Training

According to OSHA standards, it is the employer's responsibility to train all employees who will use the scaffolding on the proper use and safety of scaffolding. This includes all hazards, such as falls, risks of falling objects, and the risk of electrocution, as well as ways to avoid these risks. Training must be provided by a competent person who is capable of identifying and predicting hazards and who is authorized to take corrective action to avoid or eliminate the hazards. Although OSHA does not specify a degree or certification necessary to deem someone competent, it does provide an online course on scaffolding safety for a nominal fee. Unless your designated person has an engineering degree or other specific training that includes scaffolding and scaffolding safety and construction, an OSHA course may be in order to insure that you are meeting your obligations as an employer to meet OSHA regulations and to provide added safety measures for your workers.

Inspections

Inspections of the scaffolding for physical defects are required before every shift and after each occurrence that  may affect the integrity of the scaffolding. As with training, this must also be performed by a competent person. Generally this person is appointed by the employer and is the same person who provided training to workers. The inspector makes sure that the specific scaffolding meets all the physical and safety requirements set forth by OSHA. This step should not be taken lightly, as it can mean the difference between a productive day and one riddled with hazards.

Erecting and Dismantling

Erecting and dismantling scaffolding also poses special risks. The designated competent person must assess and provide protection from falls and provide a safe means of access when erecting, dismantling, or moving scaffolding. Erectors and dismantlers must also be trained to recognize potential hazards and to avoid safety risks. Erectors and dismantlers must be knowledgeable about regulations governing scaffolding safety. How well they do their job can mean the difference between life and death for your workers.

Meeting Other OSHA Requirements

OSHA determines the physical requirements of scaffolding used for commercial purposes. These requirements vary depending on the type of scaffolding, the intended use of the scaffolding, and the workload of the scaffolding. Workload and capacity is determined by the weight of materials, equipment, and workers. To determine the specific requirements for your scaffolding system, download and follow the appropriate OSHA regulations.

You can minimize the risk of accidents and personal injury to your employees by training them to make safety a top priority and insisting they follow all safety procedures. Not only will it keep everyone safe, it will insure that you are in compliance with OSHA regulations and fulfill your responsibilities as an employer. Safe scaffolding means safer employees and reduces the risks of accidental death or injury.

To learn more about scaffolding equipment, contact a company like Savage Scaffold & Equipment Co.

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