A Question of SafetyWHICH OSHA REGULATIONS APPLY TO THE SONNY MOBILE INTERIOR SCAFFOLD? WHICH OSHA REGULATIONS APPLY TO THE SONNY MOBILE INTERIOR SCAFFOLD? General Industry Standards (1977) Construction Standards (1977) HOW HIGH CAN SONNY SCAFFOLDS BE STACKED? SONNY SCAFFOLDS can be stacked a maximum of three high (18 ft.). OSHA requires a width to height ratio of 4:1. The SONNY scaffold is 30” wide. Therefore it can be stacked to a maximum height of 120” (10 ft.) unless outriggers are used. The use of outriggers will increase the width by 40” and allow the additional 8 ft. Although under the OSHA formula the use of outriggers would allow heights in excess of 18 ft. it is a SONNY policy to limit the maximum height to 18 ft.
Heights in excess of 18 ft. are simply not safe and could result in serious injury or death. OSHA requires guardrails and toeboards whenever platform height is 10 ft. or higher. However, serious injury or death can result from falls less than 10 ft. User must carefully evaluate all situations involving platform heights less than 10 ft. and determine whether use of guardrails and toeboards is prudent. IS IT PROPER FOR A PERSON TO RIDE A MOVING SCAFFOLD? YES! OSHA does provide for moving a scaffold with a person on board under certain very strict conditions. DOES OSHA REQUIRE THAT CASTERS BE LOCKED WHEN SCAFFOLD IS BEING USED? YES! Section 1926.452 (w) (2) requires that “scaffold casters and wheels shall be locked with positive wheel and/or wheel and swivel locks, or equivalent means, to prevent movement of the scaffold while the scaffold is used in a stationary manner." DO SONNY CASTERS MEET OSHA REQUIREMENTS? YES! When the caster is in the locked position the wheel is prevented from rolling and the swivel is prevented from moving the scaffold. An expansion ring at the top of the caster stem retains the caster in a bushing within the bottom of the end frame access ladder. OSHA regulations require outriggers whenever platform height is 10 ft or higher. Outriggers increase the width or base dimension and therefore allow platform heights of 10 ft. thru 18 ft. to fit within the 4:1 ratio. CAN COMPONENTS FROM DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS BE MIXED? YES and NO. SONNY has no control over the compatibility or quality of competitor’s products. However OSHA does allow mixing components if “components fit together without force and the scaffold’s structural integrity is maintained by the user.” DOES THE PLATFORM NEED TO BE LOCKED IN PLACE? YES! The platform must be installed and secured so that it cannot become unintentionally displaced during use. SONNY scaffolds manufactured with platform retention clips are supplied with four (4) clips for this purpose. DOES OSHA ALLOW THE USE OF A DAMAGED OR INCOMPLETE SCAFFOLD? NO! 29 CFR 1926.451 (F) (3), (4), requires that scaffolds be inspected by a competent person before each work shift and after any occurrence which could affect its structural integrity. Any part of the scaffold that has been damaged or weakened shall be immediately repaired or replaced before use. CAN WORKING HEIGHT BE INCREASED BY USING LADDERS OR OTHER DEVICES ON TOP OF SCAFFOLD? NO! Ladders and other makeshift devices such as barrels, boxes, buckets, etc., shall not be used on top of scaffold platforms to increase working height. 29 CFR 1926.451 (f) (14), (15). WHAT IS THE OSHA DEFINITION OF A COMPETENT PERSON? 29 CFR 1926.450(b), defines competent person as “one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.” WHAT ARE THE OSHA REQUIRMENTS REGARDING SCAFFOLDS AND ELECTRICAL LINES? OSHA section 29 CFR 1926.451(f) (6): The clearance between scaffolds or any conductive material used on scaffolds and exposed and energized power line shall be as follows:
REMEMBER Manufacturer’s recommendations, local and/or state regulations may be more strict than Federal OSHA regulations. In all cases the most strict regulation must be followed. The person on the jobsite designated to be the COMPETENT PERSON for scaffolds is responsible for knowing and following applicable scaffold safety standards. If you do not know who to talk to in your state for the latest in scaffold regulations call us toll free and we will direct you to the proper agency. For your convenience our toll free telephone number is listed below. SONNY SCAFFOLDS, INC |
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