Scaffolds: Safe work Practices

                                                                  TOOLBOX TALK

Introduction 

1. Review any accidents or "near accidents" from the past week. 

2. Describe the hazards of the work as they relate to your project. Explain or show the safe way of doing the job. 

3. Give the Tool Box Safety Talk

Failure to follow safe work practices when using scaffolds is a major cause of scaffolding related accidents. To ensure safety, learn to recognize hazards, and always use these safe work practices:

Inspect scaffolds before each work shift and after any incident that could affect the structural integrity of the scaffold. Take any questionable scaffold out of service, tag it and report damage or defects immediately. 

* Do not load scaffolds beyond their capacity. Keep only the tools and materials you need on the scaffold. 

* Keep the platforms and area around the scaffold clear of debris and unneeded equipment, material, and other hazards that could cause a worker to trip or fall. 

* Use guardrails and/or personal fall arrest system working on a scaffold that is 10 feet high or higher. 

* Maintain proper clearance near power lines (at least 10 feet, plus 4 inches for every kilovolt above 50 kilovolts). 

* Wear head protection and other personal protective equipment as necessary. 

* Do not work on scaffolds during storms or high winds and clear all ice and snow from the platforms before using them. 

* Keep others away from the base of the scaffold while work is occurring overhead