Guidelines for Scaffolding
- Scaffolds at construction sites are closely regulated by state and federal agencies, but that doesn't mean you don't need to follow the same rules on home projects. The rules make excellent guidelines for creating a safe work space. State or local agencies may have rules that go beyond federal requirements, and your state labor department can provide you with any guidelines. This article provides a general overview of scaffold safety and is not a substitute for knowing the regulations.
- The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration describes seven types of supported scaffolds (those built from the ground up) and eight types of suspended scaffolds (those that hang from structures). Additionally, there are independent scaffolds like aerial lifts similar to those on trucks used for streetlight maintenance. The same general safety principles apply to all types.
- Regulations require that scaffolds be able to support significant loads. In general, a scaffold and its components must be able to support their weight and at least four times the maximum intended load of the scaffold. For hanging scaffolds of the type used by window washers, the ropes or cables and the hardware that connects them to the scaffolding must support at least six times the maximum intended load.
The base of a supported scaffold must be set on and attached to metal plates, mudsills or "other adequate firm foundation," according to OSHA regulations. A mudsill is a treated 2-by-4 or 2-by-6 wood plank. The walkway on the scaffold must be at least 18 inches wide with no more than 1 inch of space between any plank or decking. - Falls are the most common cause of death and injury involving scaffolds, and the Labor Department has a number of rules to reduce the chances of falls. Some sort of fall-prevention device is required for workers when a supported scaffold is 10 feet or more above the ground or when one level is 10 feet or more above the next lower level. The device can be a personal fall-arrest system such as a safety harness and lanyard device, or a guardrail. Generally, this means that every level of a scaffold more than 10 feet above the ground must have a fall-prevention device. Each worker on a hanging scaffold must be protected by both a fall-arrest system and a guardrail.
- There are no shortcuts to safety. Sometimes parts of a scaffold might seem to interfere with the work area or otherwise get in the way, but altering a scaffold from its planned construction will reduce its structural integrity. Taking the time to correctly build scaffolding and following safety regulations may save a life--perhaps even yours.
