SAMPLE FALL PROTECTION EVALUATION FOR SCAFFOLD ERECTORS

SAMPLE FALL PROTECTION EVALUATION FOR SCAFFOLD
ERECTORS
A FALL PROTECTION EVALUATION FOR SCAFFOLD ERECTORS SHOULD CONSIST
OF THREE PARTS:
1. SPECIFIC JOB SITE EVALUATION TO DETERMINE IF CONVENTIONAL
PERSONAL FALL PROTECTION IS FEASIBLE FOR ERECTORS.
2. FALL PROTECTION PROCEDURES FOR ERECTORS WHEN FEASIBLE TO DO SO.
3. SAFETY PROCEDURES FOR ERECTORS WHEN FALL PROTECTION IS NOT
FEASIBLE.
NOTE: AN EVALUATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES IF
THE ERECTOR IS PROTECTED BY A GUARDRAIL SYSTEM OR IF THE ERECTION
HEIGHT IS LESS THAN TEN FEET ABOVE THE GROUND OR FLOOR BELOW.
CAUTION: IN ACCORDANCE WITH OSHA STANDARDS AND INDUSTRY PRACTICE, THIS
EVALUATION MUST BE COMPLETED BY A COMPETENT PERSON, A PERSON WHO CAN
IDENTIFY PREDICTABLE HAZARDS AND HAS AUTHORITY TO MAKE THE DECISIONS
THAT ARE REQUIRED IN THIS EVALUATION.
CAUTION: PERSONAL FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT (PFPE) IS INEFFECTIVE FOR
HEIGHTS LESS THAN APPROXIMATELY 6 FEET UNLESS THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN
SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THESE HEIGHTS. DO NOT ANTICIPATE USING PFPE
FOR HEIGHTS LESS THAN 6 FEET UNLESS THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY A
QUALIFIED PERSON. IN ALL CASES, THE TOTAL FALL DISTANCE MUST BE LIMITED
TO NO MORE THAN 6 FEET.
NAME OF COMPETENT PERSON:_________________________________________
SIGNATURE:________________________________________DATE:______________
DATE OF EVALUATION:________________
PROJECT NAME:________________________________________________________
PROJECT LOCATION:____________________________________________________
AREA/SCAFFOLD EVALUATED:__________________________________________
SUBMITTED TO: ________________________________________________________
SCAFFOLD HEIGHT:_____________________________________________________
ESTIMATED CREW SIZE:_________________________________________________
© COPYRIGHT, 2004, DH GLABE & ASSOCIATES, INC., WESTMINSTER, COLORADO 80031—Rev 4-14-98
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ALL SCAFFOLDS MUST HAVE:
 PROPER ACCESS
LADDERS
STAIRWAYS
DIRECT ACCESS
PROPER SCAFFOLD FRAME
 FALL PROTECTION ON PLATFORMS ABOVE TEN FEET:
PERSONAL FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
GUARDRAIL SYSTEM:
TOPRAIL: 38 TO 45 INCHES HIGH, 200 POUND STRENGTH
MIDRAIL: MIDWAY, 150 POUND STRENGTH
 FALLING OBJECT PROTECTION
BARRIER TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM UNDER THE SCAFFOLD
TOEBOARDS
CANOPIES AND NETS
 PLATFORM:
AT LEAST 18 INCHES WIDE
EDGE NO MORE THAN 14/18 INCHES FROM THE WORK SURFACE
PLANKS OVERHANG 6 TO 12/18 INCHES
MAXIMUM GAP BETWEEN PLANKS = 1 INCH
PLANKS OVERLAP AT LEAST 12 INCHES (OR SECURED)
PLANK ARE SCAFFOLD GRADE
 BASE PLATES OR LOCKING CASTERS, ON FIRM SURFACE
SILLS WHEN NECESSARY TO SPREAD THE LOAD (2,000 POUNDS)
 CASTERS PINNED/BOLTED TO THE FRAME LEG
 PROPER BRACING, INCLUDING DIAGONAL BRACING
 SCAFFOLD STABILITY:
4 TO 1 HEIGHT TO BASE RATIO
TIED TO STRUCTURE AT 20 FT. VERTICALLY, THEN EVERY 26 FT.
TIED HORIZONTALLY AT EACH END AND EVERY 30 FEET MAX
QUESTIONS? LOOK IN OSHA, SUBPART L.
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Fall Protection
 LOCATIONS THAT REQUIRE FALL PROTECTION
Unprotected Sides and Edges
Leading Edges
Hoist Areas
Holes
Formwork and reinforcing steel
Ramps, runways, and other walkways
Excavations
Dangerous equipment
Overhand bricklaying and related work
Roofing work
Precast concrete erection
Residential construction
Wall openings
Other walking/working surfaces
 FALL PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Guardrail systems
Safety net systems
Personal fall arrest systems
Warning line systems
Controlled access zones
Safety monitoring systems
Covers
Fall protection plan
Falling Object Protection
Protection from falling objects is required when an employee is exposed to
falling objects. (Hardhats are NOT considered falling object protection)
 Methods and Systems
Toeboards, screens, or proper guardrail systems
Canopy structure
Barricade the area and keep employees out of the area!
QUESTIONS? LOOK IN OSHA, SUBPART M.
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Ladders
Fixed length, Extension, and Step ladders
Note: Access must be provided when there is a break in elevation of 19 inches or more
 FIXED LENGTH AND EXTENSION LADDERS
Extend siderails 3 feet above the upper landing surface
Free of oil grease, and other slipping hazards
Not overloaded
Type III
200 pounds
Household, Light Duty
Type II
225 pounds
Commercial, Medium Duty
Type I
250 pounds
Industrial, Heavy Duty
Type IA
300 pounds
Industrial, Extra Heavy Duty
Use ladders only for the purpose for which they were designed
Use ladders at an angle so the base is ¼ of the working length
For job made ladders with splices, the base is 1/8th of the working length
Use ladders only on stable and level surfaces, unless secured
Secure ladders used on slippery surfaces
Secure ladders used in front of doors, passageways, and openings
Keep area around the top and bottom of the ladder clear
Support the ladder on both rails unless its designed for it
Ladders shall not be moved while occupied
Use ladders with nonconductive siderails around electricity
Inspect ladders periodically for damage
Don’t use defective ladders
Do not use single rail ladders
Face the ladder while climbing up or down
Use at least one hand to grasp the ladder while climbing (Use your feet too)
Don’t carry any load up the ladder that could cause you to lose balance and fall

STEPLADDERS
Do not use the top or top step of the stepladder as a step
Do not climb the crossbracing on the back of the stepladder
Inspect the stepladders on a periodic basis for damage
 SCAFFOLD STAIRWAYS
The first step is no more than 19 inches (unless used to access a scaffold in
which case it is 24 inches)
Handrails must be on all open sides of all stairs
Guardrails must be on all landing platforms
The minimum landing platform size is 22 inches wide by 30 inches long
Remove all slippery conditions
QUESTIONS? LOOK IN OSHA, SUBPART X
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