Masonry Magazine March 2001 Page. 24
SCAFFOLDING
Avoiding Common Mistakes
HAZARDS
By Joseph O'Connor
Editor's Note: Joseph O'Connor is Executive Vice President of Intec, Inc. He currently serves as a national representative for various employer organizations participating in OSHA-ACCOSH work groups and ANSI committees.
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Many employers ignore Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) regulations. Have you ever heard another mason contractor express the feeling that standards, such as the OSHA's scaffolding requirements, are set by bureaucrats in Washington? What does OSHA really know about the hazards of working with scaffolds? Mason contractors are on scaffolds all the time and know how to use them safely. Besides, experience is said to be the best teacher. People learn by their accomplishments and mistakes. Unfortunately, when it comes to safety, errors can be fatal! Don't subscribe to a negative OSHA philosophy. The statistics OSHA uses to set standards are actual cases. The requirements established target actions that would have prevented fatalities or injuries. If you must depend on experience, look at others mistakes and avoid them.
The following are a few cases selected from an accident investigation search of OSHA's database for mason contractors using the keyword scaffolds. They illustrate the need for protection against scaffolding hazards.
Electric Shock-Contact with Overhead Line through Scaffold
Employee Killed in Scaffold Collapse
Employee Killed When Box Falls
Employee Breaks His Back in Fall From Scaffolding
Employee Killed in Fall From Scaffolding
Employee Injured After Being Struck By Collapsing Scaffold
Employee Dies in Fall Through Scaffolding
Employee Killed By Falling Scaffold
Six Employees Injured When Scaffold Collapses
Construction Employee Killed in Fall From Scaffold
By taking a closer look at three of these cases you can see the basic scaffold hazards and learn how to prevent a similar occurrence.
Electricity is a major hazard when using scaffolds. Electrical lines are generally elevated to keep individuals a safe distance away. The purpose of the scaffold is