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SAFETY TIPS
Safety
Tips
FALLS: From scaffolds and different levels
Things to look for (be aware of):
From Scaffolds and ladders
- An estimated 2.3 million construction
workers, or 65% of the construction industry,
work on scaffolds frequently.
- Protecting these workers from
scaffold-related accidents would prevent 4,500
injuries and 50 deaths every year.
- In a recent BLS study, seventy-two percent
of workers injured in scaffold accidents
attributed the accident either to the planking
or support giving way, or to the employee
slipping or being struck by a falling object.
REMEDIES
- Construct all scaffolds according to the
manufacturer's instructions.
- Install guardrail systems along all open
sides and ends of platforms.
- Use at least one of the following for
scaffolds more than 10 feet above a lower
level: Guardrail Systems/Fall Arrest Systems.
Position portable
ladders so the side rails extend at least 3
feet above the landing.
Secure side rails at the top to a rigid support
and use a grab device when 3 foot extension is not
possible.
- Provide safe access to scaffold platforms.
Make sure that the
weight on the ladder will not cause it to slip
off its support.
Before each use inspect ladders for cracked or
broken parts such as rungs, steps, side rails,
feet and locking components.
Use only ladders that comply with OSHA design
standards [1926.1053(a)(1)].
- Do not use climb cross bracing as a means of
access.
- Loads
Self-supporting
(foldout) and non-self-supporting (leaning)
portable ladders must be able to support at
least four times the maximum intended load,
except extra-heavy-duty metal or plastic
ladders, which must be able to sustain 3.3
times the maximum intended load.
- Specific to
Ladders
Non-self-supporting ladders, which must lean
against a wall or other support, are to be
positioned at such an angle that the
horizontal distance from the top support to
the foot of the ladder is about 1/4 the
working length of the ladder. (In the
case of job-made wooden ladders, that angle
should equal about 1/8 the working length.)
Ladder rungs, cleats, or steps must be
parallel, level, and uniformly spaced when the
ladder is in position for use. Rungs
must be spaced between 10 and 14 inches apart.
For extension trestle ladders, the spacing
must be 8-18 inches for the base, and
6-12 inches on the extension section.
Rungs must be so shaped that an employee's
foot cannot slide off, and must be
skid-resistant.
Ladders are to be kept free of oil, grease,
wet paint, and other slipping hazards.
Wood ladders must not be coated with any
opaque covering, except identification or
warning labels on one face only of a side
rail.