OSHA Scaffold Safety

Requirements

A scaffold is a temporary structure

 

used in construction and repair.

•Scaffolding is a kind of temporary structure used in the

construction and repair of buildings and other large structures. The

scaffold is used to support people as they carry out the repair or

construction of the structure; as such, due care must be applied in

the use of scaffolding in order to prevent accidents which could lead

to injuries or fatalities.
•LOAD:

 OSHA standards require that scaffolds must be able to support four times their

recommended maximum load. Scaffolds should never be loaded in excess of the

recommended maximum weight. OSHA require that any wire or fiber rope which is

used in making scaffold suspension must be able to bear at least six times its intended

load. Scaffold must be maintained and kept in safe working condition at all times and

any scaffold which has been damaged, weakened or otherwise structurally impaired or

compromised must not be used until all necessary repairs have been carried out.
•WORKER SAFETY:

 OSHA scaffold safety standards require that an access ladder must be provided for

workers on a scaffold, and overhead protection must be provided to protect workers

from overhead hazards in the form of falling debris. OSHA rules state that employees

must not work on a scaffold in the event of bad weather, such as high winds or

storms. Employees are not required to work on a scaffold which is covered with snow

or ice. They can only work on such a scaffold if the snow and ice have been removed

and the scaffold planking has been sanded to prevent any slips from occurring.
•OTHER SCAFFOLD SAFETY RULES:

 Tools and other materials or debris should not be allowed to accumulate on a scaffold to

the point that they will constitute a hazard. A tag line must be attached to any material

which is being hoisted onto a scaffold. Only wire rope-supported scaffolds should be

used when acid solutions are used in the cleaning of buildings which are more than 50

feet in height, and only treated fiber rope or fiber rope which has been protected should

be used around or for any work in which the use of corrosive chemicals or substances

are involved. The legs, poles or uprights of scaffolds must be secured and braced rigidly

to avoid displacement and swaying.

•HOW TO SET UP SCAFFOLDING:

•Scaffolding allows workers to work at a height with a stable platform to hold

tools and material. The stability of the scaffold begins with properly installing

the scaffold's first section. Placement on solid ground and properly leveling the

first section of scaffold will ensure that the work platform is safe for use under

load. When erecting the scaffold, additional safety components ensure the

safety of people working beneath the scaffold.

 Toe boards and railing reduce the amount of material that falls from the

scaffold to the ground.

•1. Check the stability of the ground where the scaffolding will be located. Remove

debris from the area as you check for soft spots in the ground. 

•2. Lean a scaffold frame against a wall. 

•3. Push the safety catch up on the bottom pin attached to the scaffold frame. Align

the hole in one leg of the cross-brace with the pin. Slide the hole onto the pin. Release

the safety catch. Perform the same procedure to affix the top leg of the cross-brace onto

the top pin of the scaffold frame.

• 4. Attach another scaffold frame to the other side of the cross-brace. Use the

method described in Step 3 to secure the frame to the cross-brace.

•5. Secure a cross-brace to the other side of both scaffold frames.

•6. Move the scaffold with a helper to its final position. Pick one end of the

scaffolding up and place a 2 by 12 under each leg. Repeat the procedure on the

other side of the scaffolding.

•7. Adjust each screw jack to its lowest position. Insert a screw jack into each

vertical support of the scaffold frame.

• 8. Tie one end of the line level to one of the scaffold frames. Stretch the line to the

opposite scaffold frame. Tie the line off, making sure that the line rests in the same

position on both scaffold frames. Place the line level onto the taught line.

•9. Adjust the screw jacks until the line level shows that the frames are level. Place the

4-foot carpenter's level on the top leg of one of the scaffold frames. Adjust the screw jack

not on the side of the line level to make the scaffold frame level across the end. Level the

other scaffold frame in the same manner. Remove the string line from the scaffolding.

•10. Span the distance between the scaffold frames with the approved floor planks.
•11. Slide a scaffold frame connector into the top of each vertical support of the

scaffold frames. Twist the connector until the spring-loaded pin snaps into the

mounting hole located near the top of the vertical support.

•12. Climb onto the scaffold. Have a helper hand you a scaffold frame. Place

the scaffold frame onto the frame connectors you installed in Step 11. Place the

last scaffold frame on the other two frame connectors.

•13. Connect the scaffold frames with the cross-braces as described in Step

3.
•14. Place a 2 by 4 standing on the 2-inch side on the floor planks, parallel to the cross-

brace. Push the 2 by 4 tightly to the vertical legs of the two scaffold frames you installed in

Step 12. Wrap the #18-tie wire around the 2 by 4 and one of the vertical supports. Cut the

tie wire with the lineman's pliers. Wrap the two loose ends of the tie wire over each other.

Twist the wire tightly with the lineman's pliers. Repeat the procedure on the other scaffold

frame. Secure the toe board to the other scaffold frame in the same manner.

•15. Attach another toe board to the other side of the scaffold as described in Step 14.
•16. Secure 2-by-4 handrails, 19 inches and 42 inches from the floor

planks. Wrap tie wire around each end of the 2 by 4 and the vertical supports

of each scaffold frame. Wrap the #18-tie wire around the 2 by 4, where it

meets the cross-brace to provide additional support.

•17. Test the handrails to ensure that they are stable before working from the

scaffold.
 HOW TO REMOVE

CONCRETE FORMWORK
•Step 1

•Allow the concrete to dry before removing the forms. You'll want the concrete to

be hard and strong so that removing the forms does not result in a sagging

surface. Allow the concrete to cure overnight.

•Step 2

•Remove forms starting at the top of sloping slabs. Use a hammer to remove nails

from the stakes holding the forms in place.

•Step 3

•Remove the stakes from the ground that support the forms with a stake puller to avoid

damaging the stakes or the forms.

•Step 4

•Pull the forms away from the sides of the concrete slab using as little force as necessary.

If a form sticks to the slab or is difficult to remove, use the pry bar to pry the form upward

from the ground, loosening the form from the concrete in the process. Pull the loosened

form from the concrete. Be careful not to gouge the slab with the pry bar in the process.
•Step 5

•Remove forms on alternating sides of the slab to maintain the structural

balance. For example, with a square slab start at the upper left corner, then

remove the form from the lower right corner, then the upper right followed by

the lower left. Remove all forms in this manner. If the forms are reusable, clean

them and store them in a dry place. Otherwise dispose of the forms.
 SHORES AND SCAFFOLDS ARE REMOVED
•Shoring

• is the process of temporarily supporting a building, vessel, structure, or trench with shores (props)

when in danger of collapse or during repairs or alterations? Shoring comes from shore, a timber or

metal prop. Shoring may be vertical, angled, or horizontal.

•Scaffold

•in building construction, temporary platform used to elevate and support workers and materials

during the construction, repair, or cleaning of a structure or machine; it consists of one or more

planks of convenient size and length, with various methods of support, depending on the form and

use.
 SAFE REMOVAL OF RESHORES
•The operation that makes our foremen most nervous is removing reshores. We go along with them in the idea

that it is better to leave reshores in place a little longer than to take a chance on a collapse. But we don't think

we're using our forms and shores efficiently, and we can't find any tables that make it clear how soon it is safe to

remove reshores under all conditions. Can you provide any guidance? 

•There is no really firm answer because of the many uncertainties regarding concrete strength development as

well as load distribution and reshores capacity. One contracting firm decided to check the loads for itself by

inserting small load test cells under the primary form shores of the floor to be cast. By monitoring the loads, they

were able to observe how rapidly the load was being transferred to the concrete. They also measured loads

under the reshores. When loads on the bottom set of reshores were low enough the reshores were removed.
 SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY TIPS FOR TAKING DOWN SCAFFOLDS

•Safety for erecting and working on scaffolds gets a good deal of attention, but

tips for taking down scaffolds are an often-overlooked aspect. But the truth of the

matter is, dismantling scaffolding safely and efficiently requires just as much care

and know-how as putting it up. 

•It’s pretty common on construction sites for anyone on the crew to be told to

take down scaffolds, even though it should be the job of people specifically

trained to do it properly. Also, as it’s part of cleanup, workers often rush the

dismantling in an effort to wrap things up quickly.

 TO MAXIMIZE SAFETY AND PRODUCTIVITY AT THE JOB
SITE, CONSIDER THE INFORMATION BELOW.

•TIPS FOR DISMANTLING SCAFFOLDS:

1. Workers should be trained to take down scaffolding before being asked/allowed to do it

2. All crew dismantling the scaffold must wear appropriate personal safety gear, including

hard hats, protective gloves, protective boots, and any other gear necessitated by site

conditions

3. Clear a convenient, adequate space in which to stack scaffold components in an

organized, stable manner

4. Ensure that there’s a clear, minimal path to carry and load scaffold

components onto the truck that will transport them

5. Examine the full area around the base of the scaffold for potential hazards like

debris, tools or materials, exposed rebar, stub piping, etc.; remove or otherwise

address these concerns

6. Inspect the scaffold structure, including ties, planks, plank ends and whether

they’re securely resting on load-bearing elements, bracing, etc. to ensure stability

7. Replace any missing ties or braces

8. Replace or remove damaged or defective plank prior to

dismantling; never return damaged or defective plank to inventory

9. Disassemble scaffold from the top down, starting with guardrails

and posts
10. Lower components down carefully by hand, rope, or hoist,
making sure nobody is standing where objects can fall on them;
never toss or drop components
11. Don’t stack components anywhere on the scaffold as they’re detached; get

them directly to the ground and neatly stacked in the cleared area

12. Partially remove the top platform and install it on the lift below; remove the

remainder from the lift below

13. Continue taking down the scaffold in the reverse order it was built

14. For pinned scaffolding, only remove pins at the frame base

15. Keep coupling pins fastened to the top of the frame below to avoid

handling them from an elevated position and risk dropping them

16. Never remove scaffold ties until the level above has been fully dismantled

down to the tie level

17. Inspect all scaffold components after removal and separate and damaged

parts that need to be repaired or disposed of

18. Avoid leaving up a partially disassembled scaffold; if you must, post clear

warning signs at every access point

19. Refrain from taking down a scaffold in high wind, rain, snow, or other

potentially hazardous conditions

 FACTORS AFFECTING REMOVAL TIME OF FORMWORK

•Type of concrete used

•Quality of materials used
•The temperature at site
•Curing
•Exposure condition
 TIME FOR REMOVAL OF FORMWORK
Structural Member Time of Removal

Walls, columns and vertical sides of beam 24-48 hours

Slabs (props left under) 3 days

Beam soffits (props left under) 7 days

Removal of props to slabs · Span<= 4.5m · Span > 4.5m

7 days

14 days
Removal of props to beams and arches · Span<=6m · Span >6m
14 days

21 days
 HOW TO PROPERLY REMOVE THE
FORMWORK

•The formwork removal is one of the most hazardous jobs in the

site. If not properly done it not only affects the structure but also

can result in high risk for the labors working at site. Thus, the

following points must be kept in mind during formwork removal

 Proper tests are conducted (mostly NDT) to determine the strength of

concrete developed.

 The formworks of vertical members are removed first.

 The props of soffits are not removed until it is ensured to bear its own self

weight and external stresses effectively.

 The crowbars are not to be inserted in the sides to remove the formworks as

it can damage the edges of concrete.

 Any loose material of concrete found in the edges and corners are to

be removed.

 The quality engineers should inspect the site before removal of

formworks to ensure suitable conditions.

 To ensure safety of workmen, it is to be inspected weather sufficient

bracings and work platforms are provides to remove the formwork at

higher elevations.
MATERIALS FOR FORMWORK CONSTRUCTION)

1. Timber:
PLYWOOD:
STEEL:
ALUMINIUM:
PLASTICS:
FABRIC
 TYPES OF FORMWORK AND REUSABILITY
• Steel and aluminum formwork is use mainly due to its capability to carry
heavy concrete, provide longer spans, and having good potential for reuse.

•Glass-reinforced plastic made for formwork is a fiber reinforced polymer

(FRP). It is a material of high strength and still lightweight. Glass-reinforced

plastic formwork is useful for structural concrete elements that have complex

shapes and unique features. It is easy to disassemble and has a capability for

a high number of reuses.

 CONCRETE FORM MAINTENANCE:

•1. Strip forms carefully. Metal bars or pry bars should not be used on plywood because

they will damage the panel surface and edge. Instead, use wood wedges, tapping

gradually when necessary.

•2. Clean and apply release agents. Soon after removal, plywood forms should be

inspected for wear, cleaned, and repaired, spot-primed, refinished, and lightly treated with

a form-release agent before reusing. Use a hardwood wedge and a stiff fiber brush for

cleaning. Avoid using a metal brush because it may cause wood fibers to “wool.”
•3. Apply sealants and release agents as directed. Protective sealant

coatings and release agents for plywood increase form life and aid in stripping.

Some panels may require only a light coating between uses. Applying a form

release agent a few days before the plywood is used, then wiped so a thin film

remains, will prolong the plywood’s life, increase release characteristics, and

minimize staining.
•4. Know the difference between release agents and coatings. Release

agents and coatings can affect forms and concrete differently, so select a

release agent keeping mind its influence on the finished concrete surface. For

example, some release agents including waxes or silicones should not be

used where the concrete is to be painted.

•Plywood form coatings, such as lacquers, resin, or plastic base compounds

sometimes are used to form a hard, dry, water-resistant film on plywood forms.
•6. Handle and store forms properly. Be careful to prevent panel chipping, denting,

and corner damage during handling. Panels should never be dropped. Forms should

be carefully piled flat, face to face and back to back. Forms should be cleaned

immediately after stripping and can be solid-stacked or stacked in small packages

with faces together.

•Hairline cracks or splits may occur in the face ply. These “checks” may be more

pronounced after repeated use of the form. Checks do not mean the plywood is

delaminating. Form maintenance, including careful storage to assure slow drying, will

minimize face checking.

•7. Consider the effects of admixtures and chemicals. Many admixtures

and pozzolans increase the abrasiveness or alkalinity of the concrete. While

wood and phenolic overlays resist alkaline solutions and abrasion, some

admixtures may significantly decrease the lifespan of a concrete-forming

panel.
SALAMAT