|
Scaffolding FAQ
Question 1:
Answer 1:
The standard requires fall protection at more than 10 feet above the lower level for employees. Ref: 1926.451(g)(1)
Question 2:
Answer 2:
The crossbracing may be used in lieu of the top rail when the crossing point is between 38 inches (0.97 m) and 48 inches (1.3 m) above the work platform, or, as a midrail when the crossing point is between 20 inches (0.5 m) and 30 inches (0.8 m) above the work platform. Ref: 1926.451(g)(4)(xv)
Question 3:
Answer 3:
The height of the toprail for scaffolds manufactured and placed in service before January 1, 2000 can be between 36 inches (0.9 m) and 45 inches (1.2 m). The height of the toprail for scaffolds manufactured and placed in service after January 1, 2000 must be between 38 inches (0.97 m) and 45 inches (1.2 m). Ref: 1926.451(g)(4)(ii)
Question 4:
Answer 4:
While portable ladders must meet the subpart X requirements, the scaffold standard does not require that attachable ladders for scaffolds meet the subpart X rules. Therefore, there is no OSHA requirement that attachable scaffold ladders extend above the platform.
See Letter of Interpretation
Question 5:
Do the requirements of aerial lifts, 1926.453, apply to scissor lifts?
Answer 5:
The aerial lift requirements (§§1926.453) incorporate by reference the definition of aerial lifts used in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A92.2-1969 standard. Therefore, the requirements in 1926.453 apply to equipment identified in that 1969 ANSI consensus standard as aerial lifts. The ANSI standard definition includes the following vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating work platforms: "extensible boom platforms," "aerial ladders," "articulating boom platforms,""vertical towers," and "a combination of any of the above." Scissor lifts, including those with platforms that extend beyond the equipment's wheelbase, do not fall within any of these categories. Therefore, scissor lifts are not addressed by the aerial lift provisions of Subpart L. While there are no OSHA provisions that specifically address scissor lifts, they do meet the definition of a scaffold (§§1926.451 - general requirements for scaffolds). Employers must therefore comply with the other applicable provisions of Subpart L when using scissor lifts. For example, since scissor lifts are mobile, the specific requirements for mobile scaffolds in the scaffold standard (1926.452 (w) - mobile scaffolds) must be met.
See Letter of Interpretation
Question 6:
Answer 6:
The standard defines a "competent person" as one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. The standard defines a "qualified" person as one who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated his/her ability to solve or resolve problems related to the subject matter, the work, or the project.
Question 7:
Answer 7:
The standard requires a competent person to perform the following duties under these circumstances:
In General:
To select and direct employees who erect, dismantle, move, or alter scaffolds.
To determine if it is safe for employees to work on or from a scaffold during storms or high winds and to ensure that a personal fall arrest system or wind screens protect these employees. (Note: Windscreens should not be used unless the scaffold is secured against the anticipated wind forces imposed.)
For Training:
To train employees involved in erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, maintaining, or inspecting scaffolds to recognize associated work hazards.
For Inspections:
To inspect scaffolds and scaffold components for visible defects before each work shift and after any occurrence which could affect the corrective actions.
To inspect ropes on suspended scaffolds prior to each workshift and after every occurrence which could affect the structural integrity and to authorize prompt corrective actions.
To inspect manila or plastic (or other synthetic) rope being used for toprails or midrails.
For Suspension Scaffolds:
To evaluate direct connections to support the load.
To evaluate the need to secure two-point and multi-point scaffolds to prevent swaying.
For Erectors and Dismantlers:
To determine the feasibility and safety of providing fall protection and access.
To train erectors and dismantlers (effective September 2, 1997) to recognize associated work hazards.
For Scaffold Components:
To determine if a scaffold will be structurally sound when intermixing components from different manufacturers.
To determine if galvanic action has affected the capacity when using components of dissimilar metals.
Question 8:
Answer 8:
The standard requires a qualified person to perform the following duties under these circumstances:
In General:
To design and load scaffolds in accordance with that design.
For Training:
To train employees working on the scaffolds to recognize the associated hazards and understand procedures to control or minimize those hazards.
For Suspension Scaffolds:
To design the rigging for single-point adjustable suspension scaffolds. 1926.452(o)(2)(i)
To design platforms on two-point adjustable suspension types that are less than 36 inches (0.9 in) wide to prevent instability.
To make swaged attachments or spliced eyes on wire suspension ropes.
For Components and Design:
To design scaffold components construction in accordance with the design.
Question 9:
Can a powered industrial trucks, including rough terrain fork lifts, be used to elevate personnel?
Answer 9:
According to 1926.451(c)(2)(iv), powered industrial trucks, which include forklifts, as well as rough terrain forklifts, are "similar pieces of equipment" to forklifts and front end loaders. Therefore the trucks must meet the requirements of the standard. If the manufacturer's operator manual states that it is not to be used for elevating personnel platforms, use of the equipment to support such a platform would violate the standard. Consequently, OSHA prohibits the use of such equipment to elevate personnel. If the owner's manual for the equipment is silent in regards to elevating personnel, the employer must determine if the powered industrial truck was designed for such purpose. The standard places the obligation on the employer to ensure that this type of equipment is used to elevate personnel only where the manufacturer has designed it to do so. The employer would have to either find out from the manufacturer that it was designed for this use or (where that information is unavailable) obtain a certification by a certified professional engineer that the equipment was so designed.
See Letter of Interpretation
Question10:
Is there a standard that requires employees to be able to shut off the truck's power when on platforms elevated by forklifts?
Answer 10:
Yes. The Material Handling Equipment standard, section 1926.602(c)(1)(vi), requires that the design of all industrial trucks used by an employer meet the requirements in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) B56.1-1969, Safety Standards for Powered Industrial Trucks. ANSI B56.1, paragraph 416, requires ""order picker truck [s], high lift"" to have travel and power controls at the platform level. Whenever a forklift is used to elevate a platform and is used in a manner that makes it the equivalent of a high lift order picker truck, the controls specified in this ANSI provision must be in place.
See Letter of Interpretation
|
