An Evaluation of Supported Scaffold Safety

An Evaluation of Supported Scaffold Safety

Fatal Falls from Supported Scaffolds, 1992-98

• Total # of deaths = 267 (38/year)
  
  
  • 217 falls (81%)
    
  • 47 collapses (18%)
    
    
• 15 deaths (6%) dismantling scaffolds
  
• 6 deaths (2%) assembling scaffolds
  

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data

Research Methods

• Used a 150-point checklist to evaluate scaffold safety practice
  
  
  • Rated scaffolds as acceptable or unacceptable
    
    
• Evaluated 113 scaffolds in 9 areas of Eastern U.S.
  
• Also evaluated information on worksite, workforce, and scaffold competent person.

Results

• 36 of the 113 scaffolds (32%) were unacceptable and posed imminent hazards:
  
  
  • danger of collapse
    
  • missing planking, guardrails, and/or
    
  • inadequate access
    
    
• 77 scaffolds (68%) were acceptable and posed no imminent danger to the workers.

30 Scaffolds (27%) Had Structural Flaws

Missing or improperly supported base plates	17
Scaffold not tied properly to building	13
Platform not level	6
Some runners missing	3
Some jacks overextended	2
Severe overloading	2
Some posts incorrect	1
Some braces not tight	1

36 Scaffolds (32%) Had Fall Hazards

		# fall hazards
Missing mid guardrails		33
Missing top guardrails		28*
	* Also missing midrails
Improper access
	Climbing scaffold frame	23
	Other severe access problems	5
Partially planked platforms		26
Substandard planks		3

Correlation between Structural Flaws and Fall Hazards

• 36 scaffolds were unacceptable
  
• 23 had both structural flaws and fall hazards
  
• 10 had fall hazards only
  
• 3 had structural flaws only

Problems of Unacceptable Scaffolds

• 36 scaffolds were unacceptable
  
  
  • 92% were missing guardrails
    
  • 83% had structural flaws
    
  • 78% had poor access
    
  • 72% were insufficiently planked

Scaffold Competent Person

• Required by OSHA
  
  
  • 29 CFR 1926.451(f)(3) requires inspections by competent person before each work shift and after occurrences which could affect scaffold structural integrity
    
    
• Competent person
  
  
  • Recognize hazards
    
  • Authorized to take corrective action
    

Competent Persons on Scaffold Sites

• 104 sites had workers present
  
• 82 (79%) had competent persons
  
• 10 sites (10%) said competent person was not present
  
• 72 competent persons were interviewed
  
  
  • Only 32 (44%) had scaffold safety training

Need for Competent Person Scaffold Safety Training

• 32 sites had competent persons who had scaffold safety training
  
  
  • 25 scaffolds (78%) were acceptable
    
    
• 62 sites had no competent person or had one without scaffold safety training
  
  
  • 24 scaffolds (39%) were acceptable