Safety Meeting: Working with Scaffolds

Each year millions of employees work at elevated heights using scaffold systems. Scaffolds are generally considered safer than ladders for most work, however there is still a serious risk to your workers. Injuries and deaths can occur due to falls, being struck by falling objects, and from electrical hazards. These injuries can be prevented by taking the proper safety precautions.

Scaffolding safety violations are among the most often cited by OSHA each year. Many of those citations are the result of improperly built structures. A qualified person must supervise and direct the assembly and dismantling of scaffolds. This qualified person must also approve any modification to the system. Additionally, a competent person must inspect the scaffold prior to employee use, even if the scaffold is built by another contractor or for another contractor. The competent person must have the knowledge and ability to identify predictable hazards, such as electrical power lines, broken or damaged scaffold parts, and missing planks and rails. As a competent person, they must have the authority to red tag the scaffold if the scaffold is found unsafe.

What your employees need to know about safe scaffold use

Employees should understand the types of hazards associated with scaffold use. Falls can occur if fall prevention measures or proper access to the scaffold are not in place. Tools and materials that are not properly secured can fall from scaffolds and strike someone working below. Falls, struck-by, and crushed-by injuries can also occur if an overloaded or unstable scaffold collapses. All employees should regularly check the scaffold system for damage.

Electrical hazards are present when a scaffold is built too close to overhead power lines or a building’s electrical connections. Tools and equipment used on scaffolds present additional electrical hazards if they come in contact with power lines. Scaffolds should be constructed a safe distance from power lines—the actual distance will vary based on the power line voltage.

What your employees need to do to work safely from a scaffold

Before work begins, all employees must be trained on the specific scaffold system in use. This gives them a good understanding of the hazards that they'll face, and how to mitigate those hazards. Some of the things to look out for when working on scaffold include:

Scaffold systems that are not plumb, square, and level
Missing or unsecured mid and top guardrails or cross-bracing
Platforms that are not fully planked or have planks in poor condition
Improper or no available access to scaffold platforms
Scaffold that are not tied properly to the structure
Missing base plates and base plates not secured to 2”x10”x10” wooden base, or equivalent, when resting on earth or soft material

TIP

For the competent person inspecting the scaffolding: See our checklist for a complete listing of things to look for.

Access scaffold platforms only through a safe and unobstructed walkway, stairs, or ladder. Avoid climbing on railings or taking other shortcuts. When a ladder is used to access a scaffold, employees must use it safely. Do not carry any material in the hands while climbing.

Have a plan for bringing materials and equipment to the platform such as a hoist and pulley system attached to the scaffold. Know the weight limits and do not overload the system. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for more information.

To prevent injuries from falling objects, secure tools and equipment whenever possible. Make sure four-inch high toe boards are in place to prevent anything from falling off the structure. Use personal protective equipment identified as necessary to help prevent additional injuries, such as hard hats, safety glasses, and gloves.

Employees should be trained to look for damage and other the other potential scaffold hazards mentioned earlier in this article. Report unsafe conditions to a supervisor and do not work from scaffolds until hazards have been corrected.

What to cover at your safety meeting on scaffold safety

Discuss with your employees how to identify the hazards mentioned earlier as well as how to safely access the scaffold platforms. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions when training employees on how to use a specific scaffold system and make sure your employees know where to find these instructions.

Ask the employees if they understand how to work safely from a scaffold and if they feel confident identifying common hazards. Consider asking them to participate in calling out the items to check for on a properly built scaffold. Also, ask if they have any questions or concerns prior to using the scaffold.

Other items to cover include:

A reminder not to remove any components of the scaffold system. These include planks, guardrails, bracing, ties, or base plates. Modifications can only be made under the supervision of a qualified person.
A discussion of all the duties that only a qualified or competent person may perform. It's also a good idea to identify who the qualified and competent persons are on your worksite.

Your employees play an important role in making sure they work safely from scaffold. Train them on the specific system they will use, make sure the system is assembled properly, and establish a protocol for notifying a supervisor if there are any issues with the scaffold before work begins or during scaffold use.

Safety Meeting: Working with Scaffolds

What your employees need to know about safe scaffold use

What your employees need to do to work safely from a scaffold

Additional Resources

TIP

What to cover at your safety meeting on scaffold safety

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