What To Know About Fall Protection and Scaffolding

Working in the construction industry comes with a unique set of challenges that can quickly lead to disaster if not accounted for. One of these challenges is how to prevent employees from becoming the victim of a slip or fall. This can be especially important for workers who have daily tasks that take them off the ground. When performing any task that involves height, here is what to know about fall protection and scaffolding to ensure you can return home safely each day.

OSHA Regulations

Due to the inherent danger that comes from working on a construction site, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintains a series of workplace regulations that everyone must adhere to. These regulations are written and enforced with the safety of workers as the top priority. The most important regulation involving height states that any time an employee is working more than 10 feet above a lower level, the scaffolding must have guardrails, a fall arrest system, or both in some cases.

There are also other requirements for working above the ground, including access requirements and protection from falling objects. Access requirements help employers know what type of connection to use between the scaffolding and the building. There are different mandates depending on the distance between the two structures. Several kinds of access are permitted, including ladders, stairs, and ramps, depending on conditions. OSHA also has regulations regarding falling objects that employers and employees should be aware of. The use of screens, guardrails, or some other form of barricade, along with requirements to wear a hard hat, can all help prevent injuries on the job site.

Who Can Design the Scaffolding?

When implementing, erecting, or inspecting any scaffolding, there must be at least one “competent person” available to perform these duties. OSHA describes a competent person as someone who is “capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary or hazardous to employees, and who has the authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.” They are also able to train other employees on proper safety procedures. On most job sites, a competent person is all that is required to manage scaffolding, but there are some exceptions to this rule.

There is also a designation for a “qualified person” as someone who “by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience has successfully demonstrated his/her ability to solve or resolve problems related to the subject matter, the work, or the project." A qualified person can help design scaffolding and components for the scaffolding based on that design.

Finally, there are engineers, who must be involved any time there a scaffolding unit will be moving while employees are on it. This can include scaffolds and systems for lifts such as those popularized by high-rise window cleaners. There are also other measurement requirements such as height from the ground, how many employees will be simultaneously using the scaffold, and the length of the base that workers will be standing on.

Guardrails or Fall Arrest Systems

For the employees who spend all or part of their day working on scaffolding, it is important to understand the differences between guardrails and other fall arrest systems. When talking about a construction site, a guardrail system is a barrier that prevents workers from falling. Guardrails are typically required when working on scaffolding more than 10 feet off the ground. There are also requirements for the height of the guardrail and the amount of weight that it can sustain. The entire goal of using guardrails is to stop falls before they can occur. Because of this, they are seen as a preventative measure, and it’s best to use them in combination with other methods of fall prevention. Guardrails are generally seen as safer and people, therefore, prefer them over other fall prevention methods.

Fall arrest systems are designed to keep workers safe after a fall has already occurred. The goal of the system is to prevent an employee who has already slipped from falling to the ground. What this means is that the system is only effective once a worker has already taken a fall. These systems make use of harnesses, ropes, netting, and other components to prevent a fall from turning into a more serious injury. It is also important to note that you can use scaffolding in fall arrest systems if it’s properly anchored in compliance with OSHA regulations. Some cases where a fall arrest system is required include aerial lifts, ladder jack scaffolds, and float scaffolds. While there are times where OSHA only requires the use of a fall arrest system, it is safer to make use of guardrails as well to best prevent injuries.

Additional Safety Precautions

There are many additional tools available to help protect employees working in these conditions. A hard hat is required on construction sites everywhere to prevent blows to the head. It is important to properly secure any tools to prevent them from falling as well. Safety harnesses with the proper tie-downs are also common and used along with guardrails. Some lifts come with straps built into the unit that allow you to clip in with a special belt before ascending. It is also a good idea to wear non-slip shoes or work boots to help avoid slips and falls. Finally, make sure that all other safety equipment and tools are in good working order. Unnecessary trips up and down for repair or replacement can also lead to slips and falls that are otherwise preventable.

It can be difficult to discover what to know about fall protection and scaffolding for those new to the construction industry. Midwest Unlimited is the premier destination for those looking for safety or fall protection equipment for their next job site, from a lineman bag to climbing spikes and tower harnesses. In business since 1947, we have been a proud supplier of construction equipment to companies across the globe. With products from more than 500 manufacturers, we are sure to have the exact pieces of equipment that you are looking for.

What To Know About Fall Protection and Scaffolding