As Recommended by SCAFFOLDING AND SHORING INSTITUTE
Following are some common sense rules designed to promote safety in the use of steel scaffolding. These rules are illustrative and suggestive only, and are intended to deal only with some of the many practices and conditions encountered in the use of scaffolding. The rules do not purport to be all-inclusive or to supplant or replace other additional safety and precautionary measures to cover usual or unusual conditions. They are not intended to conflict with, or supersede, any state, local, or federal statute or regulation; reference to such specific provisions should be made by the user.
1. PROVIDE ADEQUATE SILLS for scaffold post and use base plates.
2. USE ADJUSTING SCREWS instead of blocking to adjust to uneven grade conditions.
3. PLUMB AND LEVEL ALL SCAFFOLDS as the erection proceeds. Do not force braces to fit – level the scaffold until proper fit can be made easily.
4. FASTEN ALL BRACES SECURELY.
5. DO NOT CLIMB CROSS BRACES. An access (climbing) ladder, access steps, frame designed to be climbed or equivalent safe access to the scaffold shall be used.
6. ON WALL SCAFFOLDS PLACE AND MAINTAIN ANCHORS securely between structure and scaffold at least every 30’ of length and 25’ of height.
7. WHEN SCAFFOLDS ARE TO BE PARTIALLY OR FULLY ENCLOSED, specific precautions must be taken to assure frequency and adequacy of ties attaching the scaffolding to the building due to increased load conditions resulting from effects of wind and weather. The scaffolding components to which the ties are attached must also be checked for additional loads.
8. FREE STANDING SCAFFOLD TOWERS MUST BE RE-STRAINED FROM TIPPING by guying or other means.
9. EQUIP ALL PLANKED OR STAGED AREAS with proper guardrails, midrails and toeboards along all open sides and ends of scaffold platforms.
10. POWER LINES NEAR SCAFFOLDS are dangerous – use caution and consult the power service company for advice.
11. DO NOT USE ladders or makeshift devices on top of scaffolds to increase the height.
12. DO NOT OVERLOAD SCAFFOLDS.
13. PLANKING:
- Use only lumber that is properly inspected and graded as scaffold plank.
- Planking shall have at least 12” of overlap and extend 6” beyond center of support, or be cleated at both ends to prevent sliding of supports.
- Fabricated scaffold planks and platforms unless cleated or restrained by hooks shall extend over their end supports not less than 6” nor more than 12”.
- Secure plank to scaffold when necessary.
14. FOR ROLLING SCAFFOLD THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL RULES APPLY:
- DO NOT RIDE ROLLING SCAFFOLDS.
- SECURE OR REMOVE ALL MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT from platform before moving scaffold.
- CASTER BRAKES MUST BE APPLIED at all times when scaffolds are not being moved.
- CASTERS WITH PLAIN STEMS shall be attached to the panel or adjustment screw by pins or other suitable means.
- DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MOVE A ROLLING SCAFFOLD WITHOUT SUFFICIENT HELP – watch out for holes in the floor and overhead obstructions.
- DO NOT EXTEND ADJUSTING SCREWS ON ROLLING SCAFFOLD MORE THAN 12”.
- USE HORIZONTAL DIAGONAL BRACING near the bottom and at 20’ intervals measured from rolling surface.
- DO NOT USE BRACKETS ON ROLLING SCAFFOLDS without consideration of overturning effect.
- THE WORKING PLATFORM HEIGHT OF A ROLLING SCAFFOLD must not exceed four times the smallest base dimension unless guyed or otherwise stabilized.<
15. For “PUTLOGS” AND “TRUSSES” the following additional rules apply:
- DO NOT CANTILEVER OR EXTEND PUTLOGS / TRUSSES as side brackets without thorough consideration for loads to be applied.
- PUTLOGS/TRUSSES SHOULD EXTEND AT LEAST 6” beyond point of support.
- PLACE PROPER BRACING BETWEEN PUTLOGS/TRUSSES when the span of putlog/truss is more than 12”.
16. ALL BRACKETS shall be seated correctly with side brackets parallel to the frames and end brackets at 90 degrees to the frames. Brackets (except mobile brackets designed to carry materials) are to be used as work platforms only and shall not be used for storage of material or equipment.
17. ALL SCAFFOLDING ACCESSORIES shall be used and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended procedure. Accessories shall not be altered in the field. Scaffolds, frames and their components, manufactured by different companies shall not be intermixed.
Great article, thanks lot share this article.
This is a must read to constructions workers and engineers must practice safety in the area to avoid accidents from happening.
If I were to use a scaffold, I’d for sure want to be safe on it. Now as you said here, it is wise to tie the scaffold to the building it’s adjacent to as a cautionary measure in the event of tipping. I wouldn’t be able to do that by myself so I would have to see about getting some help.
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It was interesting to learn about how the ties on scaffolding should be adequate and frequent so that they can be checked often and they can have additional loads. I can understand how it could be really useful for a business to make sure that they can be safer while they are building. Getting scaffolding put up by a professional could be really useful and allow them to be safer and more taken care of.