Masonry Magazine April 2011 Page. 25
SAFETY IN DING
SCAFFOLDING
Now, how would you feel if something didn't quite work right? Perhaps the power cord on the tool was damaged, a spring in the couch was broken or, worse yet, you don't know a problem exists until after you use it. You would probably be upset. Maybe this wasn't such a good deal. A return at the customer service center would ensue, and time would be lost. I'm sure most of us have been down this road.
Well, take a seat before you read this, because I am about to tell you that some of the equipment you are buying for your company may not be useable, since it is non-compliant. Yes, that's right: Even though it is brand, spanking new, it's non-compliant.
I am talking about wood scaffold planks. Depending on the manufacturer, some of your new, solid sawn wood planks may not be useable, because they are non-compliant.
Every plank may be brand new and untouched before it reaches the jobsite, but what I am referring to is what happens before it ever gets to you.
A clause exists in the respective grade rules for lumber, regardless of species, that allows manufacturers to have up to 5 percent of the scaffold plank they ship to you to be off-grade. For example: On a truckload of 16-foot wood planks, close to 40 pieces may have defects that make it unsuitable for use as scaffold plank. This is considered "acceptable" by these standards.
What the grade states
FOR SOUTHERN YELLOW PINE D165 Scaffold Plank, the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau grading rules (1994 г. para. 132) state, "The grading of lumber cannot be considered an exact science, because it is based on either a visual inspection of each piece and on the judgment of the grader, but these rules are sufficiently explicit to establish a maximum of 5 percent below grade as a reasonable variation in judgment between quality supervisor and graders."
Lumber graders visually inspect the material for certain characteristics and defects as it passes in front of them on a grading chain, before it can be stamped as scaffold plank. Many features are considered: the slope of grain, growth rings, density, knot size, splits, timber breaks, compression wood-the list goes on. Some planks make the grade, and some do not. Plank after plank, and shift after shift. Something is bound to be missed. The concession in the grading rule is making an exception for human error and allowing this to be passed along to the user.
Although solid sawn wood planks are required to be of Scaffold Grade as per OSHA and ANSI requirements, the grade allows for the offage, making it "acceptable" from the manufacturer's perspective. It is a loophole that directly affects plank buyers and can be used as an irresponsible and unsafe cost-cutting measure.
What does this mean for you?
HERE IS A POSSIBLE SCENARIO: You buy new scaffold planks from ABC Plank Manufacturer, because the price is attractive. Eleven months later, a plank from ABC Plank Manufacturer fails, and an accident occurs. ABC Plank Manufacturer is named in the suite as a liable party manufacturer. Their defense is that 95 percent of the shipment was within the "scaffold grade."