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Scaffolds are temporary elevated working platforms. Working on scaffolds present certain hazards such as falls, electrocution, collapse, and dropped objects. Only people that are trained should be allowed to work on scaffolds. Before erecting scaffolding on campus, the competent person needs to receive a scaffolding permit from ÃÛÌÒ½´EHS and the city of University Park. Below are the basic types of scaffolding and hazards.

For more information, visit the ÃÛÌÒ½´Scaffolding Program. Also, the OSHA scaffolding website is a good source of information.

Types of Scaffolds

Supported scaffolds – Supported scaffolds consist of one or more platforms supported by outrigger beams, brackets, poles, legs, uprights, posts, frames, or similar rigid support. A supported scaffold is the most common type of scaffolding.

Suspended Scaffolds – Suspended scaffolds are platforms suspended by ropes or other non-rigid means, from an overhead structure.

Mobile, scaffold – mechanical and non-mechanical

• Baker/Mobile Scaffolding- are used on wheels or casters. They are designed to be easily moved and are commonly used for things like painting and plastering, where workers must frequently change position. Wheels are casters must be locked when someone is on the scaffolding
• Scissor Lift - Scissor lifts are mobile supported scaffold work platforms used to safely move workers vertically and to different locations in a variety of industries including construction, retail, entertainment, and manufacturing. Scissor lifts are different from aerial lifts because the lifting mechanism moves the work platform straight up and down using crossed beams functioning in a scissor-like fashion, although scissor lifts present hazards similar to scaffolding when extended and stationary, using scissor lifts safely depends on considering equipment capabilities, limitations, and safe practices. Before operating, operators must be trained on how to use a scissor lift and how to recognize hazards.
• Aerial Lifts – According to OSHA, aerial Lifts are not considered scaffolding. Areal lifts have their own regulations. For more information, please visit the industrial vehicle page.

Hazards

Falls

• All scaffolding over 10 feet is required to have fall protection. The most common way of preventing falls on scaffolding is guardrails. To ensure adequate protection, install guardrails along all open sides and ends before releasing the scaffold for use by employees, other than the erection and dismantling crews.
• Employers must provide safe access when the scaffold platforms are more than 2 feet above or below a point of access. Ladders, stairs, ramps, may be used.
• Falling Objects
  • To protect employees from falling hand tools, debris, and other small objects, install toe-boards, screens, guardrail systems, debris nets, catch platforms, canopy structures, or barricades. People working on scaffolds should lanyard tools under 11lbs.
  • Also, employees must wear hard hats when working near or on scaffolding.
  • Collapse on scaffolding can occur due to bad weather, overloading, or improper assembly of the scaffolding. The competent person shall inspect and tag the scaffolding daily before work. They will ensure the scaffolding is built correctly and can support 4x the maximum load on the scaffolding.