Masonry Magazine January 2017 Page. 30
after any occurrence which could affect a scaffold's structural integrity.
Attachments fall under this same rule, and whoever is doing the inspection requires to prove that he or she is 'competent' to carry it out.
1926.451({)(7): Scaffolds shall be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered only underthe supervision and direction ofa competent person qualified in scaffold erection, moving, dismantling or alteration. Such activities shall be performed only by experienced and trained employees selected for such work by the competent person.
Attachments come underthe same language as the scaffold itself and it's vital that erection, dismantle, alteration and removal should be carried out under the auspices of a Competent Person using employees who have documentation to prove both training and experience.
1926.451(f)(14): Makeshift devices, such as but not limited to boxes and barrels, shall not be used on top ofscaffold platforms to increase the working level height ofemployees.
There are many examples of non-compliance here, and almost every job site will contain a few examples. Here are just a few:
The use of ladders, scaffold boards etc to gain further height on a scissor lift is an absolute no.
The picture clearly shows why. There is a potential for the ladders to slip on the platform, no fall protection, and the ladder is detrimentally affecting the stability of the scissor lift.
There is a huge amount of potential liability inherent in the use of attachments. The most common misuse comes when an owner or user decides it would be a great idea to put their banner or sign or debris netting on the scaffold.
The amount of extra load this can exert on the scaffold is extremely significant. Before you decide to put a banner or sign or netting on your scaffold ask yourself these questions:
Have the tie backs to the structure been assessed to evaluate their ability to take the extra load, and still retain minimum factor ofsafety values?
Has someone been nominated to inspect the banner or sign or netting and the scaffold before each shift?
Who is in charge ofmonitoring the wind speed?
Has all ofthe above been authorized by either the manufacturer or a qualified person?
Scaffold attachments can be convenient, time-saving and productive but they almost always mean extra load on the scaffold. Attachments should be properly designed into the scaffold, taking into account additional load, compatability, and additional safety and training requirements.
This almost always requires the input of the manufacturer and/or a suitably qualified engineer.
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How much potential load will the banner or sign or
Jared Kennison Joe Kennison I Dick Kennison
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netting exert on the scaffold relevant to maximum
allowable wind speeds for the scaffold use?
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