Area 500/600

Scaffolding
Definition:
Temporary elevated working platform for supporting both workers and materials and it has working space for persons called platform. According to OSHA 72% workers are injured in scaffold accidents which include slip, trip, fall and failure of scaffold. By implementing the standards these accidents can be eliminated. Any work at 2 m or more above the ground level is to be considered as work at height and where ever permanent platforms are not available, scaffolding is needed. Scaffoldings are mostly constructed of metal poles or pipes, planks and clamps. It must be designed to support at least four times the anticipated weight. The main parts of the scaffolding are: Base plate Scaffolding pipes Guard rail Mid rail Toeboard Clamps Cross bracing Planks Ladder

The Principles of Design:

The design of the scaffold shall take into account the following: (a) The strength, stability and rigidity of the supporting structure; (b) The handling normally associated with scaffolding; (c) The safety of persons engaged in the erection, alteration and dismantling of the scaffold; (d) The safety of persons using the scaffold; (e) The safety of persons in the vicinity of the scaffold.

General Erection Requirements:

Tube Poles: The tube poles shall be made of MS with no welded joints, straight and single piece. Ground Surface: Ground must be even, base plates are needed on all fixed scaffolds. Adjustable legs are needed on uneven surfaces.

MAR-5494

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Area 500/600 Height Restrictions: Height to base ratio shall be 4:1, guys and ties requirement on more than 4:1 ratio. Bearers: Bearer means a horizontal transverse scaffold member upon which the scaffold platform rests and which joins scaffold uprights, posts, poles and similar members. Runners: Runner means the lengthwise horizontal spacing or bracing member which may support the bearers. Clamps or Couplers: Clamps are the fittings which hold the tubes together. They may be right-angle couplers, putlog couplers and swivel couplers. Guardrail system: Guardrail system means a vertical barrier, consisting of top rails, mid rails, and toe boards erected to prevent employees and material fall from the scaffold platform. Braces: Brace means a rigid connection that holds one scaffold member in a fixed position with respect to another member. They may be Cross Bracing or Diagonal Bracing. Planks: Platform, a working surface, elevated above lower level is constructed using individual meta/wood planks. Distance between the posts shall not exceed 8 feet. Maximum runner spacing vertically 6 feet. Guardrails: Top Rail Mid Rail Toe boards 42 in. high approx. 21 in. high approx. 06 in. high approx.

Scaffold Tagging: All scaffolds must be inspected & tagged with green or red tags. Red tagged scaffold must not be used but after being inspected green tagged scaffold can be used.

Hazards & Precautions:

Falls from the ladder or scaffold during erection. It may be mitigated by proper inspection of ladder and scaffold elements, mandatory use of safety harness or safety belts and avoiding scaffold use in rainy or foggy weather. Cuts, bruises and pinches by hand tools and this can be avoided by using appropriate PPEs. Extreme weather can be avoided by neck shade, drinking of water and clothing. Injured personnel revealed that 72% of the accident were caused by: a) Platform Failure b) Support Failure c) Slipping d) Being struck by an object

References: Parco HSE manual

MAR-5494

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