Key OSHA Safety Highlights to Consider Before Going for Scaffolding Rental RI

by Larry Chetan Business

The construction industry has seen many accidents in recent years. This is attributed to people disregarding set standards and ordinances. However, most people have moved to the use of scaffolding and its proving fruitful. In light of that, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has some key highlights that should guide any scaffolding rental RI companies and customers.

Fall Protection and Fall Arrest Systems

The standards demand that everyone working more than 10 feet from the lowest level should have a personal fall arrest system. The systems and guardrails help to keep the workers hoisted safely even when they trip or miss their steps.

Footings

For any scaffolding use, it is recommended that footings are level and able to support the load on the scaffold. Also, the frames, poles, uprights, and legs should bear on mud sills and base plates.

Capacity

Normally, scaffolding systems have the recommended weight load from the manufacturers. As such, you should ensure not to overload them or risk bringing them down due to the weight. The recommended weight is at least four times the maximum of the intended load.

Guardrail Height

The total height of the toprails should be between 38 and 45 inches (or 0.9 and 1.2 meters for every scaffold that was manufactured after 1^st January 2000. As for the systems manufactured before then, the height should be between 36 and 48 inches (0.97 – 1.3 meters).

Midrails

When installing midrails, you should ensure they are approximately halfway between the platform surface and toprail. If you are using crossbracing as midrail, ensure it is between 20 and 30 inches (0.5 and 0.8 meters) above the platform.

Platforms

Generally, the platforms should be on firm ground. The ground should be free of strong winds and storms. It should also be free from soil erosion to ensure they can hold for long. For maximum safety, make sure to deck or plank them fully. If it’s containment systems, they should also be on firm ground and away from adverse weather.

Training

Everyone working on the platforms should be made aware of anything they should observe. They should be trained by competent and experienced personnel on the safe practices to ensure they can protect themselves from accidents. The personnel should also list and expound the possible hazards and procedures they can use to control the hazards.

Inspections

For maximum safety, it is your responsibility to ensure your workers are using reliable systems. This should be done by ensuring to inspect the platforms every day and before anyone can use them. Any visible defects should be reported to qualified personnel and rectified before the platforms can be used again.

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Created on Feb 11th 2019 04:09. Viewed 285 times.

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