Scaffolding - Strategies & Effective Practices to Manage and Mitigate Hazards

Effective Practices to Manage and Mitigate Hazards

Develop a scaffolding plan to specify requirements for the design and management of the scaffold

• At the start of the planning process, supply relevant information to the scaffold contractor to ensure an accurate and proper design process is followed.
• Prior to installation, the scaffold contractor or scaffold designer can then provide relevant information about the scaffold.
• Identify specific guidance or recognized standard to specify how scaffolding must be erected, dismantled and altered in a safe manner.
• For scaffolds that fall outside the scope of a generally recognized standard configuration, the design should be such that safe erection and dismantling techniques can also be employed throughout the duration of the job.
• Establish a process to address any proposed modification or alteration that takes a scaffold outside the scope of a generally recognised standard configuration should be designed by a competent person and proven by calculation.

Identify requirements for the erection of the scaffold

• At the start of the erection process, inspection of all components should be performed and any substandard components removed from site.
• During the erection process Platforms should be kept free of obstructions, unnecessary materials, projecting nails and other unnecessary tripping hazards (including uneven decking). Adequate space for workers to safely pass should be provided and maintained wherever materials are placed on platforms.
• Scaffold operations adjacent to overhead power lines should b prohibited unless the regulatory conditions are satisfied:
• At the completion of the erection process, the scaffold should be checked against the construction drawings. 

Identify requirements for the inspection of the scaffold

• Inspection of scaffolding is a key safety element of the scaffolding process. 

• Each company or organization should ensure scaffolds are properly designed erected and inspected by a certified inspector using an appropriate inspection check list or tagging system.  

• A scaffold tagging system should be required to allow all users to observe the status of the scaffold.  

• Scaffold tagging systems typically consist of a holder and inserts which are signed by the inspector.  These systems usually make use of a red tag meaning “Do Not Use”, a yellow tag meaning “recognized hazards exist and need to be controlled, but the scaffold may be used”, and a green tag meaning “Safe to Use” for the time period stated.  

• Scaffold inspections are typically required to be performed each shift prior to first use 

Identify requirements for the safe use of the scaffold

• Scaffolding is a temporary structure used to support a work crew and materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of process plant and equipment and other man-made structures. Before working from a scaffold platform, the supervisor should ensure the scaffold tag is green and within date or yellow and within date (additional precautions may be needed with yellow tag scaffolds such as a fall protection harness and lanyard).  

• During plant maintenance turnarounds and maintenance shutdowns large scaffolding structures may be in use with large number of employees on one structure at the same time.  The design should have been made with this loading in mind and include the additional weight of any materials on the scaffold.   

• Large numbers of tools may be in use, and due to this, the importance of ensuring lanyards and tool tethers are applied correctly when working at height must be discussed at tool box talks and enforced by supervision. Preparations should be made for this during the planning phase prior to work. 

• Barriers should be sufficient – and in line for the “cone of exposure” guidance provided in the dropped object prevention practices.  

• Be mindful of coworkers working above and below you always, as well as others working on the scaffold. If you witness improper use on or around a scaffold you should stop what you are doing and notify the individual and communicate deficiencies to supervision.  

• All work from a scaffold should be performed from the installed platform.  

• When personal fall arrest systems are required for the scaffold you will be working on, thoroughly inspect the equipment for damage and wear. Anchor the system to a safe point (may require guidance from a fall protection competent person) that has the appropriate clearance for the shock absorbing lanyard or deceleration device to function properly. 

Identify requirements for the alteration of the scaffold

• Employees working from a scaffold must be aware that any changes made to the scaffold design require re-inspection by a certified competent scaffolding inspector and invalidate the green “Safe to Use” scaffold tag.

Identify requirements for the use of a scaffold in a confined space

• A confined space entry covers entry into a variety of workplaces which have limited access and or inadequate ventilation in which gases, vapors or physical hazards can present a risk to personnel. Including free flowing granular materials can engulf a person- e.g., sand, salt, grain; or steep sided stockpiled materials can collapse.
• Water and other liquids can present a risk to personnel.
• Scaffolders will have to support loads often in awkward positions, move heavy and unwieldy pieces of scaffolding poles and planks, carrying loads over uneven ground and up stairways or ladders, passing materials through vessel openings.
• Avoid the need for hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable.
• Assess the risk of injury from any hazardous manual handling that cannot be avoided.
• Reduce the risk of injury from hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable. 

Identify requirements for the use of mobile scaffolds

• Towers should be erected following a safe method of work. 

• Design the tower so stability is maintained.  The design should account for possible use of sheeting, wind loads, and equipment loadings. 

• Moving the tower requires reduction in height to approximately 4 meters or less (actual height reduction varies by jurisdiction), checking route for obstructions above and below 

• No people or materials should be on the scaffold while it is being moved. 

• Mobile scaffolds should not be moved until all attachments to equipment located on the ground have been disconnected.  Examples include disconnecting pneumatic hoses, electric cords, and ropes.  Failure to disconnect can result in a scaffold collapse during the move if the connections (e.g. – pneumatic hose) reach their length limit prior to the end of the move.   

• Dismantle the tower using the Advance Guard Rail System (AGS).  AGS is an essential tool for any scaffolding crew especially those building and dismantling low level scaffolds where the available anchor points are insufficient for a deployed fall arrest system. It also offers scaffolders who are working at height an added level of security. The safety system provides a prefixed guardrail at working height before the scaffolder enters the working platform to install scaffold guardrails and toe boards. 

Identify requirements for the use of underhung scaffolds

• The scaffold must be constructed and inspected by a competent person using an UNDERHUNG (SUSPENDED) SCAFFOLD FIELD INSPECTION checklist as set out in local regulations.
• Any works over water are to be subject to the company “Permit to Work” system.
• A fence or barrier must be provided to any structure or scaffold where there is a risk of persons falling from such structures into water.
• Warning signs/notices are to be displayed stating hazards at site.
• There is to be adequate lighting for the whole of the period of work. Lighting must be adequate for night work and must illuminate the immediate surrounding water surface.
• A buoyancy aid, of a tested and approved pattern, is to be worn by all personnel working over water.

Identify requirements for the dismantling of the scaffold

• Find sufficient space to neatly stack or store the components as they are removed from the scaffold.  

• Ensure all people and movable obstructions are removed prior to dismantling 

• Check to make sure truck access is available and has not been blocked.  

• Wear proper safety gear.  

• Begin dismantling at the top of the scaffold. 

• Do not remove scaffold ties until the scaffold above the tie has been completely disassembled to the tie level.