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Toolbox Talk: Don’t Overlook Scaffold Safety

The next in a series of monthly, employee-oriented toolbox safety training articles.

We use scaffolds so much on the job, it’s often easy to forget that they can be dangerous. You can be injured in a fall from them, or by tools and equipment that drop off them. So it's important to work safely on and around scaffolds. Here are some basic safety tips:

Put Your Scaffold on Solid Footing

Scaffolds have to be erected on good, solid footing on ground that won't sink or move. Scaffolds have to be able to support four times more weight than you're going to put on them.

If the ground isn't solid — if it's muddy or sandy — you have to use something like mudsills to make the footing stable. If possible, use the bases that came with the scaffold. If you can't, you can use plywood to prevent sinking. Remember though, the wood only should be used to stop sinking and not as cribbing when the ground is uneven.

Additionally, masonry blocks and bricks cannot be uses for support, according to the OSHA standard.

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Guardrails and Toeboards Keep People and Items Up High

Guardrails and toeboards will help keep people, tools and equipment from falling off a scaffold. Guardrails have to be on all scaffolds more than 10 feet above the ground and can be made from 2x4s or metal. Guardrails need to be about 42 inches high with a midrail at about 21 inches, just like the guardrails inside the house. The guardrail has to go around all open sides and ends. You also need a guardrail in front of the scaffold unless you're close enough to work without falling through.

Toeboards on the perimeter of the scaffolding have to be at least four inches tall. If people will be working or walking under the scaffold, you have to put a screen in the entire opening between the toeboard and guardrail to keep items from falling through and hitting someone.

Pay Attention to the Planking, Too

Use scaffold grade planking, planking that is very strong and free from cracks and knots. When installing the planking, make sure it extends between six and 12 inches beyond the end of the scaffold. Also, make sure the planks overlap themselves at least 12 inches or are somehow kept in place. If you are using pre-made platforms as your planking, make sure they are secured and stay put.

Your Scaffold Is Not a Ladder

Now that the scaffold is in place, how do you get up there to work? Climbing the supports may seem like the easiest and most convenient way, but that’s not what most scaffold frames were made for. Remember, they are engineered to support four times their weight so you can work safely on them. To get there, use a good ladder. It’s the safest way.

Keep on the Lookout for Damage

Anytime you see a part of the scaffold that is damaged, including braces, brackets, screw legs, ladders or planking, let your boss know and make sure it gets replaced or repaired. And be sure to keep an eye out for sinking footings.

For more information, contact Robert Matuga, director, Labor, Safety & Health Services at 800-368-5242 x8507.

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NAHB Toolbox Safety Talks, available through BuilderBooks.com,  are designed to supplement your employee safety training program and help you identify those areas where you may need to develop additional safety training for your employees.

Each individual talk is intended to be used as a brief, job site training session of approximately 15 minutes. Each talk includes questions that encourage employees to share their experiences about working safely or accidents that they may have been involved in. Hearing others talk about what has happened to them will make the reality of injuries more apparent, and the safety message much clearer.

The complete Toolbox Safety Talks series and other safety training and OSHA information are available through BuilderBooks.com or by calling 800-223-2665. NAHB Toolbox Safety Talks are available in English and English-Spanish editions.
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