Painters, stucco installers, masons, carpenters and many other types of contractors from time to time need to build scaffolding to perform their work work. Most of these workers think of scaffolding as a tool to get at high work sites. But the truth is that scaffolding should be first and foremost a safety tool in itself. This article will discuss the safety features of scaffolding as a refresher and to help you keep your workers safe while working on and around scaffolding.
So many different kinds of workers compensation insurance claims arise out of improper use or improper building of scaffolding. We see injuries and death on scaffolding due to poor planning for assembling and dismantling as well as collapse due to missing tie-ins or bracing or because of loads that are too heavy, or due to slippery surfaces.
Fall protection is an important part of scaffolding and should be incorporated into any scaffolds which put the worker at a height of more than 10 feet above a lower level. To protect the worker from falls, top rails should be installed at about 42 inches in height. Mid-rails should also be used and should be installed about halfway between the top rail and the platform surface. If cross bracing is used instead of a mid-rail, than the X should fall between 20 and 30 inches above the work platform for that level. Alternatively, screens or mesh can be used in place of the mid-rail but they should extend from the top rail all the way down to the working level. And remember, if you plan to build scaffolding to a height of 125 feet or more, then your scaffolding must be designed by a registered professional engineer.
In addition to protecting the workers on the scaffolds, they also should function to provide protection to workers below from falling tools or debris. Every scaffold should have toe boards installed. The toe boards should be a minimum of 4 inches high and should be installed on all sides and at all levels. All workers in this environment should also wear hard hats at all times. Be sure that all scaffold footings are level and are capable of supporting the loaded scaffold and 4 times the expected weight that will be put on the scaffold at any one time.
For more information on scaffolding and the regulations associated with using them, read the OSHA 1910.28 regulation by clicking here. If you take the time to carefully and safely construct and maintain scaffolding and enforce safety procedures for how to use them, then you will probably reduce the claims against your workers compensation insurance and your general liability insurance policies. Doing this will help to keep your insurance rates lower and reduce the associated costs of job interruption that always occur with an on the job accident.
Clinard Insurance Group has niche insurance programs designed for many types of contractors who use scaffolding in their work. We have a painters insurance program, a carpenters insurance program, a masons insurance program and many others. If you would like help with your contractors insurance, please call us, toll free, at 877-687-7557.
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