Suspended Scaffolding

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Suspended Scaffolding

• Safety Overview

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Definition

• Suspended scaffolds are platforms suspended by
  ropes, or other non-rigid means, from an overhead
  structure.

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Common Uses

• Cleaning exterior of buildings
• Painting exterior walls
• Laying of bricks
• Installing rivets and other hardware
• Multiple other uses

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Types

• Multi-point adjustable
• Multi-level
• Needle beam
• Interior hung
• Boatswains Chair
• Two-point adjustable
• Catenary

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Typical Safety Concerns

• Falling off of platform
• Unstable anchor points
• Damaged suspension cables
• Cutting through suspension cables
• Damaged employee safety lines
• Equipment and materials falling from scaffolding
• Unguarded sides

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Statistics from 1974-1978 (OSHA 1979)

• Falls from scaffolds accounted for 21 of
  incidents 86 deaths
• Suspension scaffolding accounted for 30 of
  incidents and 27 deaths

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Statistics from 1974-1978 (OSHA 1979)

• 68 of falls from suspension scaffolding resulted
  from equipment failure
• Fall protection was used only 3 times (improperly
  each time)

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Related Accidents

• Employee fell after his single-point suspension
  scaffold line was cut inadvertently by a co-worker

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Related Accidents

• Two-point suspended scaffold had no guard rails
• Suspension ropes had not been inspected
• Two employees fell to their deaths
• Both not wearing fall protection

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Related Accidents

• Two-point suspended scaffold 24 ft high
• Anchor hooks not inspected
• Employee stepped onto deck which became unhooked
  and fell
• Employee was killed

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Related Accidents

• Two-point suspended scaffold had no guard rails
  80 ft high
• Employee had disconnected safety line to climb
  onto adjacent ladder
• Suspension rope broke killing employee

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OSHA Regulations

• Must be capable of holding own weight and 4 times
  the intended load
• Suspending ropes and hardware must be able to
  hold 6 times the intended load

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OSHA Regulations

• Must be designed by a qualified person
• Spaces between planks must be less than 1
• Each walkway must be greater than 18 wide but
  less than 36 wide

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OSHA Regulations

• Scaffolds less than 10 must not extend 12 or
  more over supports
• Scaffolds over 10 must not extend 18 or more
  over supports
• Guardrails or personal fall protection shall be
  provided if more than 10 feet from a lower level

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OSHA Regulations

• Overlapping must be 12 or more unless nailed
• No work on scaffolds covered with snow, ice or
  other slippery materials
• Platforms cannot deflect more than 1/60 of the
  span when loaded
• Top height of guardrails shall be between 38 and
  45 inches

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OSHA Regulations

• Lifelines and scaffold support lines must be
  anchored at separate points and not attached to
  each other

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OSHA Regulations

• A toe board shall be erected if more than 10 feet
  from lower level
• Platforms shall be suspended to hangers by
  U-bolts
• Wire ropes shall be continuous with no splices
• Multi-story scaffolds may attach to the same
  anchor points but not each other

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Safety Procedures

• Comply with all OSHA regulations
• Shield ropes and lines from heat sources,
  corrosive substances, and sharp edges or
  abrasions
• Inspection by competent person before each work
  shift
• Use of fall protection including guardrails
  and/or personal safety lines

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Safety Procedures

• Use of structurally sound components as anchorage
  points
• Proper training of workers using scaffolding
• Avoidance of power lines

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Further Information

• More detailed explanations and regulations
  related to suspension scaffolds can be found in
  OSHA 1926 Subpart L