Scaffolding Fall Protection Requirements

Scaffolding may span many stories of a building under renovation.scaffold image by AGITA LEIMANE from Fotolia.com

Scaffolding is an essential part of many construction, renovation and cleaning projects. It allows workers to access high places on the interior or exterior of a building quickly and easily. But scaffolding can also be a dangerous place to work if proper safety considerations are not followed. There are several requirements that should be part of any scaffolding rig to keep this useful equipment safe.

Training

One of the most important requirements to prevent falls on scaffolding is training. Every worker who is to work on the scaffolding needs to understand the safety procedures, as well as how to identify potential problems with the structure. Showing workers a video on scaffolding safety and providing a demonstration of how to mount and work on scaffolding can give them valuable knowledge that can improve safety habits and prevent many falls.

Scaffolding platforms must be constructed evenly to prevent tripping. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety & Health Administration specifies that the gap between planks on a scaffold platform can be no more than one inch wide, and the maximum distance allowed between a plank and the nearest frame upright is nine inches.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety & Health Administration regulations also require that the entire scaffolding structure be able to support four times its maximum intended load. This rule prevents problems with the scaffolding which could lead to breaks in the frame that might cause workers to lose their footing and fall.

Welded frame scaffolds that are more than 10 feet tall must have guardrails. The rail must be no more than 36 to 45 inches from the platform and able to support 200 pounds. A second mid-level rail below the top rail must be able to support 150 pounds. These rails are a key feature in preventing falls, because they are specifically designed to catch and contain workers who may stumble.

Working on a scaffold is a bad idea during inclement weather. The U.S. Department of Labor makes it illegal to require workers to mount a scaffold when there are wind gusts of 30 miles per hour or higher. Workers should also be prevented from working on a scaffold if rain, ice or lightning makes the situation unsafe.

Other fall prevention methods, while not required by law, are necessary for certain types of high-risk scaffolding work. One safety device that serves this purpose is a harness worn by the worker that attaches to the scaffolding frame, which would keep the worker from falling to the ground in the event of a fall. Safety nets do not prevent falls but can serve as a secondary protective measure to minimize injury should guardrails or harnesses fail.