Masonry Magazine June 2009 Page. 29
Because scaffolding is a temporary structure, employers need to be extremely cautious about the integrity and strength of the structure before attaching fall protection equipment to it.
Scaffolding
SCAFFOLDING IS NOT a permanent structure. Workers are at serious risk when working at heights on both suspended scaffolding and scaffolding built from the ground up. OSHA standard 1926.451(g)(1) establishes 10 feet as the typical threshold height above which some form of fall protection is required when working on scaffolding in the construction industry. Each employee on a scaffold 10 feet or more above the lower level must be protected from falling to that lower level. It is also important to note that OSHA standard 1926.451(g)(2) requires employers to "provide fall protection for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds where the installation and use of such protection is feasible and does not create a greater hazard."
On most types of scaffolding, a personal fall arrest system is required if it is 10 or more feet above a lower level. A personal fall arrest system includes a harness, connector and anchor.
OSHA standard 1926.451(g)(3) requires personal fall arrest systems used on scaffolds to be attached by a lanyard to a vertical lifeline, horizontal lifeline or scaffold structural member. The standard also states that "vertical lifelines shall not be used when overhead components, such as overhead protection or additional platform levels, are part of a single-point or two-point adjustable suspension scaffold."
Vertical lines, independent support lines and suspension ropes cannot be attached to each other, to the same anchorage point, or to the same point on the scaffold or personal fall arrest system as stated in OSHA standard 1926.451(g)(3)(iv).
Because scaffolding is a temporary structure, employers need to be extremely cautious about the integrity and strength of the structure before attaching fall protection equipment to it. Employers need to check if the scaffolding manufacturer allows fall protection to be connected to the scaffolding itself.
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READER SERVICE #163 June 2009 MASONRY 27