Scaffold Inspection Checklist
Uploaded by
Rikza AhmadScaffold Inspection Checklist
Uploaded by
Rikza AhmadCommon questions
Powered by AIA competent person is responsible for developing and using a detailed checklist for daily scaffold inspections, ensuring scaffolds are constructed and loaded in line with design specifications, and are used within their maximum load capacities. This person must also verify the training of employees involved with scaffolding in recognizing and managing hazards. They oversee component compatibility from different manufacturers, implement required bracing, and uphold safety practices during adverse weather .
Employees who erect, disassemble, move, operate, repair, maintain, or inspect scaffolds must be trained by a competent person to recognize the hazards associated with scaffolding and understand the performance of their duties. Additionally, employees who use scaffolds should receive training from a qualified person to identify hazards and understand their responsibilities for safe use. The training must cover recognition of potential risks and adherence to safety practices specific to scaffolding tasks .
When using scaffold components from different manufacturers, it is critical that they fit together without the use of force. A competent person should determine their use to be safe. Additionally, the approval for using dissimilar metals should be obtained from a qualified person. Each scaffold frame must be properly braced according to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure safety and structural integrity .
Scaffolds should be erected on firm foundations with proper base plates and level, sound, and rigid mudsills. Footings must be capable of supporting at least four times the maximum intended load without settling. Special consideration should be given to conditions susceptible to change, such as frozen or thawing ground, to avoid compromising scaffold stability .
The safe construction and loading of scaffolds require compliance with several criteria. These include ensuring the scaffold is constructed and loaded following the design by a qualified person with a safety factor of at least 4 to 1. It is crucial to communicate the maximum load capacity of the scaffold to all affected employees and verify that the load, including point loading, is within this capacity. Moreover, the scaffold and its components must be inspected before each work shift by a competent person. Employees involved in erecting, disassembling, moving, or inspecting the scaffold should be trained in recognizing associated hazards, and the scaffold must be plumb, square, and level with properly planked working platforms .
For fall protection, guardrails, including mid-rails, should be installed on all open sides and ends of the scaffold platform. Guardrails must be between 36 and 45 inches in height and meet strength requirements. Toe boards should be utilized to prevent objects from falling and should be at least 3 ½ inches high. Additional screens might be necessary to protect against falling objects. These measures help prevent falls and protect both workers on the scaffold and those working below .
Scaffold ties must meet several requirements to ensure stability and safety. The first vertical tie should be installed at a height less than four times the minimum base dimension, and vertical ties must be repeated every 20 feet or less for scaffolds that are three feet or less in width. Ties need to be installed at each end of the scaffold structure and at maximum horizontal intervals of 30 feet. These measures are necessary to secure the scaffolds firmly to the building or structure, preventing collapse or instability .
Scaffolds should be inspected before each work shift and after any event that could affect their structural integrity. A competent person must carry out these inspections using a detailed checklist tailored to the scaffold type and onsite conditions. The checklist should ensure compliance with design specifications and load capacities, and confirm all safety measures are in place, such as proper bracing, secured components, and verified fit with any mixed manufacturer parts .
During adverse weather conditions such as storms or high winds, it is important to seek guidance from a competent person and possibly employ wind screens or personal fall arrest systems to maintain safety. Scaffolds must be kept free from debris, and any slippery conditions corrected before usage. Ensuring additional bracing to counteract potential overturning effects caused by extension platforms or weather wraps is also essential .
The separation distance between the scaffold platform and the work face is crucial to prevent falls and maintain safe working conditions. If the separation exceeds 14 inches, proper fall protection must be implemented to protect workers from the increased risk of falling. This can include installing guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems, thereby safeguarding against potential accidents due to excessive distance between the working surface and the scaffold face .
