Scaffold safety starts from the ground up鈥攍iterally. Improper footing, such as splintered or unstable wood, can compromise the entire structure and lead to devastating injuries.
In image 1, identified hazard involved scaffolding that had baseplates affixed and placed onto pine boards that appeared splintered or damaged. These boards lacked any visible weight rating to indicate their load-bearing capacity. This setup violates OSHA standard , which states that footings must be level, sound, rigid, and capable of supporting the loaded scaffold without settling or displacement. The potential effects of this hazard are severe and include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal organ damage, and soft tissue injuries. To correct this issue, it is recommended that the scaffold be taken out of service immediately. The damaged or splintered wood should be removed and replaced with serviceable, rated wood. All personnel should be briefed and trained on the hazard. Additionally, the scaffold must be placed on firm, level ground, and if further stability is needed, cribbing of adequate size and strength should be used to support the scaffold鈥檚 load.
In image 2, a hazard was observed where a scaffold was erected on 2x2 boards that showed signs of splintering. This condition violates OSHA standard , which prohibits the use of unstable objects to support scaffolds or platform units. As with the previous case, the potential consequences include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal organ damage, and soft tissue injuries. The recommended corrective action is to immediately take the scaffold out of service and replace the damaged boards with structurally sound, rated wood. Workers should be trained on the hazard, and the scaffold must be set on stable, level ground. If additional support is necessary, appropriate cribbing should be used to ensure the scaffold鈥檚 stability.
It is also important to note OSHA standard , which mandates that scaffolds and scaffold components be inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift and after any event that could affect the scaffold鈥檚 structural integrity.
If you are unsure about the safety of your scaffolding setup or want expert guidance on OSHA compliance, reach out to the for free, confidential assistance. Your workers鈥� safety depends on it.