SC A F FOL D A N D L A D D ER

S AF E T Y
INTRODUCTION
• Falls from scaffolds and ladders are a leading cause of
serious and fatal injuries in residential construction.
• The goals of this course are to help you:
– understand how to correct or eliminate fall hazards on your
job sites related to scaffold and ladder use
– understand the OSHA scaffold and ladder safety requirements
COURSE AGENDA
• Section 1: Overview
• Section 2: Ladder Safety
• Section 3: Scaffold Safety
• Section 4: Group Workshop
• Section 5: Post Test and Review
Section 1: Overview
WHY IS PREVENTING FALLS FROM LADDERS AND
SCAFFOLDS IMPORTANT?
• Falls continue to be the leading cause of fatalities in
residential construction.
• Falls (602) were responsible for 45% of residential
construction fatalities from 2003 to 2006.
• 135 (22%) were falls from ladders.
• 89 (15%) were falls from scaffolding.
FATALITIES BY EVENT OR EXPOSURE:
RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION
Assaults and Fires and
Violent Acts Explosions
N = 48 (3%) N = 34 (2%)

Transportation
Accidents
N = 199 (14%) Falls
N = 602
(45%)

Exposure to
Harmful
Substances or
Environments
N = 248 (18%)

Contact with
Objects and
Equipment
N = 251 (18%)
FATALITIES BY EVENT OR EXPOSURE:
RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION

Fall protection – Residential construction 6’ or more

501(b)(13) - M 2043
Fall protection - Unprotected sides & edges
501(b)(1) - M 1889
Head protection
100(a) - E 1612
Scaffolds - Fall protection
451(g)(1) - L 1480
Aerial Lifts - Body belt and lanyard
453(b)(2)(v) - L 1463

503(a)(1) - M
Fall hazards training program 1247
Portable ladders 3 feet above landing surface
1053(b)(1) - X 1219
Scaffolds - Access
451(e)(1) - L 1206
Scaffolds - Platform construction
451(b)(1) - L 1155
Training for employees using scaffolds
454(a) - L 889

Source: NAHB Residential Construction Industry Fatalities 2003-2006

(www.nahb.org/fatalitystudy )
OSHA FALL PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

• Subpart L - 1926.451(g)
Each employee on a scaffold more than 10’ (3.1M) above a lower level
shall be protected from falling to a lower level.
• Subpart X – Ladders
Fall protection is not required for workers climbing or working on
portable ladders.
• Subpart X – Stairways
Stairways having four (4) or more risers or rising more than 30 inches
must be equipped with at least on handrail; and one stairrail system
along each unprotected side or edge.
IN THE HEADLINES
IN THE HEADLINES, CONT.
HOW DO YOU PREVENT FALLS FROM LADDERS AND
SCAFFOLDS?

• Implement a comprehensive safety program.

• Understand OSHA ladder and scaffold regulations.
• Train workers to identify hazards associated with
ladder and scaffold use.
• Use safe work practices.
Section 2:
Ladder and Stairway Safety
COMMON LADDER HAZARDS
• Improper set-up
• Portable ladders not 3 feet above landing surface
• Not securing ladder correctly
• Standing on the top two steps of a stepladder
• Overreaching when working from a ladder
CHOOSING THE RIGHT LADDER
Before stepping onto a ladder, think about these things:
• Duty rating of the ladder—what capacity can it hold?
• Height of the ladder—too short or too tall?
• Condition of the ladder and instructions unique to the
ladder selected.
EXTENSION LADDERS
PROPER LADDER SET-UP

• Consider placement and pitch of the ladder.

• Secure and stabilize the ladder.
PITCH EXTENSION LADDERS
• Extension ladders
should be used at a 4
to 1 pitch (1.2 to .3 m).
• For every 4 ft. (1.2 m)
in height, the bottom of
the ladder should be 1
ft. (.3 m) away from the
structure.
•Example:
•20 ft. (height) ÷ 4 ft. = 5 ft. pitch
PITCH EXTENSION LADDERS, CONT.
PROPER HEIGHT EXTENSION LADDERS
When accessing another
level, the ladder must
extend at least 3ft. (0.9m)
3 ft.
above the landing to
provide a hand hold for
getting on and off the
ladder.
Secure and Stabilize Ladders

• Extension ladders should be secured at the top

or bottom to prevent movement.
• The base of an extension ladder must be
secured in place by using the safety feet on the
ladder or other effective means.
Secure and Stabilize Ladders, cont.
Secure and Stabilize Ladders, cont.
Loose Soil
Step Ladders
Step Ladders

• Only use in the fully open position on firm level ground.

• Do not use a stepladder that is folded or in a leaning
position.
• Never sit/stand on the top two rungs.
• Consider work height when selecting a stepladder.
Step Ladders, cont.

• Stepladders are
designed for use in
an opened-and-
locked position.
 Step Ladders, cont.

• Do NOT use a
stepladder that is
folded or in a
leaning position.
 Ladder Inspections
• Ladders must be inspected before
each use.

• Broken or weak ladders or ladders

that are not stable must be marked
or tagged as defective and taken
out of service.

• Look for cracks and weak points.

• Competent person must periodically
inspect ladders.
Ladder Inspection, cont.
Additional Safe Work Practices: Ladders
• Extension ladders should not be separated to create
two ladders.
• Keep the areas around the tops and bottoms of all
ladders clear to prevent trip-and-fall hazards.
• Avoid setting ladders up in high traffic areas or
barricade the area around ladder.
Additional Safe Work Practices: Ladders,
cont.
• Ladders must be kept free of oil, grease, and other
slipping hazards.
• Consider using a rope to raise/lower materials instead
of carrying items while climbing a ladder.
• Do NOT use metal or aluminum ladders near exposed
energized electrical equipment.
Section 3:
Scaffold Safety
Common Scaffold Hazards

• No guardrails on scaffolds.
• Defective wood planks and inadequate planking overhang.
• Unsafe access to scaffold.
• Cross bracing not adequate.
• Inadequate footings.
• Bridging of scaffolds.
General Requirements
• Erect/dismantle all Scaffolds According to the
Manufacturer's Instructions and Competent Persons
(CP) Direction
• Capacity
– Must support 4x Intended Load
• Stable Footings
– Base Plate, Screw Jacks & Mudsills
Scaffold Capacity

• Scaffolds must be capable of supporting its own weight

and at least 4x the expected load.
• Expected load includes:
• Workers
• Equipment
• Tools
• Materials
Scaffold Capacity, cont.
Scaffold Capacity = Expected Load x 4
400 KG of Workers
100 KG of Tools
+ 100 KG of Materials
600 KG x 4 = 2,400 KG
Base Plate & Mudsill Required
Proper Scaffold Base
Masonry Blocks & Bricks NOT Acceptable
as Scaffold Base
Scaffold Platform
• Each platform on all working levels must be fully
planked and secured to prevent movement.
• No more than a 1” space between decking/platform
units and upright supports.
• Wood scaffold planks must be nominal 2” x 10”.
• Must be Scaffold Grade Planks or equivalent.
Scaffold Grade Plank Stamp
Planks with Visible Defects MUST NOT be
Used
Scaffold Use
• Do NOT use objects (ladders, boxes, barrels, etc.) on top of
scaffold platforms to increase height
• Planks Extend 6” Past Supports or Secured
• Do NOT Paint Platforms
– Exception: Platform edges may be covered or marked for
identification
• Brace Fully
Front Edge within 35cm of Face
Scaffold Plank 15cm Past Support
Scaffold Plank Cleat
Fully Braced Scaffold
Competent Person Responsibilities

Designated competent person:

• Designated by the employer.
• Has the knowledge and experience required to
identify existing and predictable hazards.
• Has authority to eliminate unsafe working conditions.
• Has authority to stop work if unsafe conditions exists.
Competent Person Responsibilities, cont.

• Train employees who erect, dismantle, move, or alter

scaffolds.
• Determine if it is safe for employees to work on or from
a scaffold during storms or high winds.
• Inspect scaffolds and scaffold components for visible
defects before each work shift.
Portable Access Ladder
• Must be secured to
prevent
displacement.
• Extend at least
7.5cm above
landing to provide
a handhold.
Attachable Access Ladder
Falling Object Protection

• Anyone working on or around a scaffold must wear a

hard hat.
• Workers on or below scaffolds must be protected from
falling objects by:
• Toeboards
• Mesh
• Screens; or
• Equivalent measures
Falling Object Protection, cont.
Falling Object Protection, cont.
Types of Scaffolds Covered
• Fabricated Frame • Roof Bracket Scaffold
Scaffold • Top Plate Scaffold
• Pump Jack Scaffold • Aerial Lifts
• Ladder Jack Scaffold • Work Platforms
• Trestle & Horse attached to forklifts
Scaffold
• Mobile Scaffold
Fabricated Frame
Fabricated Frame

• Have guardrails
installed.
• Use Cross bracing.
• Use of uplift pins
Mobile Scaffold
• Do Not move while
occupied unless
specifically designed
for such movement.
• Before moving
inspect for pits, holes,
or obstructions on the
floor.
• Push the base On or
Near the bottom when
moving.
Mobile Scaffold, cont.

Unlocked
• Caster wheels must
be locked to prevent
movement of the
scaffold when
stationary.
Locked
Section 4: Group
Workshop
Picture #1
Picture #2
Picture #3
Picture #4


Picture #5
Section 5:
Post Test and Review
THANKS FOR WATCHING

•THE PRESENTATION IS DONE BY HASAN AWWAD

ROUDY NASER DEIN
ABEER FARHAT
HAIDAR KHALIL