Small Business Self-Evaluation Checklist: Scaffolding

Serious injury or death can result from failure to comply with all applicable safety requirements of federal, State and local regulations before erecting, using, or dismantling a scaffold.

This “Client Handout” provides small business owners a means of identifying potential problem areas that may occur with scaffolding operations. Any question answered “No” should be thoroughly investigated and corrective actions taken.

Questions Yes  No  N/A 
Is the scaffold erected and used under the direction of a competent person?      
Are all workers involved with or near the scaffold wearing hard hats?      
Are footings sound and rigid and not set on soft, muddy, or frozen ground (that could melt), or resting on blocks?      
Is the scaffold level?      
Are wheels/castors locked?      
Is the scaffold able to hold four times its maximum intended load?      
Is the platform complete from front to back and from side to side, fully planked or decked, and with no gaps greater than 1 in (2.54 cm)?      
Are guardrails and toeboards in place on all open sides?      
Are all sections pinned or appropriately secured?      
Is there a safe way to get on and off the scaffold without climbing on cross braces?      
Is the front face within 14 in (35.5 cm) of the work, or within 3 ft (0.91 m) for outrigger scaffolds)?      
Does the scaffold meet electrical clearance distances, as required by safety regulations?      
Are scaffold loads, including tools and other equipment, kept to a minimum and removed when the scaffold is not in use?      
Are workers removed from scaffolds during high winds, rain, snow, or bad weather?      
Is personal fall protection provided?      
Are materials secured and workers removed from the scaffold before it is moved?      
Are heavy tools, equipment, and supplies hoisted up (rather than carried up by hand)?      

 

COPYRIGHT ©2005, ISO Services Properties, Inc.

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About krwertz

As the VP, Loss Control, I direct the loss control staff of Midwestern Insurance Alliance (a rapidly expanding workers' compensation MGU with a strong emphasis in the transportaiton and logging industries). In addition to providing strategic direction and oversight to ensure the effective use of MIA's staff and resources, I develop many of MIA's propriatary print and web-based loss control resources. Collaterally, I manage the loss control services provided to a two-state roofing and sheet metal trade association, and provide administrative oversight of loss control inspection services rendered to insurance carriers providing other lines of coverage. I am a co-author of "Managing Workers’ Compensation: A Guide to Injury Reduction and Effective Claim Management" (CRC Press, 2000). I also co-authored "CHOMP COMP - The Small Business Guide to Lower Workers' Comp Premiums" (Lighted Path Publishers - 2008). Currently I am writing a text that specifically targets injury prevention and claims management within the trucking industry. View all posts by krwertz

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