Scaffold problems

We have posted several pictures showing numerous violations of safety regulations. A few weeks ago, we posted an article here about scaffold safety: http://safetyrich.blogspot.com/2011/09/scaffold-safety.html. On Sunday 23 October, on my way to the office, I spotted this scaffold erected on the South side of a new high-rise condominium building at 2727 Kirby Drive in Houston.

Let’s see how many violations to scaffold safety regs (OSHA regulations in 29CFR1926.451) we can spot.

1. I doubt if you can see this on the small picture, but regulations require that a supported scaffold be first tied to the building at a 4:1 ratio of the base width, then every 26 feet thereafter. This structure is first tied on the 7^th level – close to twice the required height.

2. Regulations call for 100% planking at the work levels with gaps between the planks no larger than 1”. Assuming only the top level is intended to be a “work level,” it is obvious in a picture taken from nearly 100’ away, that the planking does not meet the 1” nor does it likely meet the 100% planking requirement.

3. The front (building side) of the work platform is required to be a maximum of 14” from the face of work. From my vantage point, I estimated the distance between the work and the building far exceeded this limit.

4. All open sides are required to be enclosed or a fall arrest system is required. Since the ends of the work area are not protected, personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) would be required.

Assuming OSHA issues citations (if they catch these contractors at all) at the lowest level, the four citations would carry fines of $7,000 each for a total of $28,000. If the construction company has been cited before (I counted dozens of violations during the construction period), the fines could be enhanced upward one or more levels of severity. In any case, the solution (to build a safe scaffold!) would cost far less than $28K.

Now, let us imagine the scaffolding falling over and hitting the bank next door killing a construction worker and a bank employee while damaging several cars in the parking lot of the bank ....

I understand the construction company’s goal of maximizing profits, but this is completely indefensible.

See our Web site: SafetyRich

Safety Plans / Safety Manuals

In May 2011 we wrote about Planning: http://safetyrich.blogspot.com/2011/05/planning.html. We discussed three types of plans: Emergency Plans, Contingency Plans and Safety Plans or Safety Manuals.

Federal law requires a written Emergency Plan or Emergency Action Plan that describes the various emergencies your company and workers could face, then how you plan to deal with these emergencies to minimize injuries and loss of life.

A Contingency Plan is usually required by your insurance company, but good business practice and common sense dictate that you plan for disasters.

Written Safety Plans are required by OSHA and most other federal agencies worldwide. Some agencies refer to Safety Plans as Safe Work Programs, Work Plans, Safety Manuals and other terms. We shall use the term Safety Plans here.

Although a federal agency requires a written Safety Plan, little guidance on writing the plans. Several methods of writing plans are available. As long as the plans cover a basic set of criteria, all methods are acceptable. We develop Safety Plans according to a specific process to ensure full coverage

Management Commitment. Every plan of every type should begin with a state of Management Commitment, preferably signed by CEO or another top manager. If workers see management commitment to safety, they are more inclined to adapt safe practices.

Safety Policy. The next item should be the corporate Safety Policy, a simple one or two page statement of the corporate policy regarding safety. A commitment by management, while important, is not enforceable. A Safety Policy, on the other hand, is enforceable. Many good safety policies are available. Our covers management, employees and contractors.

Safety Plan. The method we use is to write a series of plans – one plan for each type of hazard. We have small clients that use plans with as few as 25 plans and larger companies with as many as 50 or more individual plans. Each plan describes the hazard and what the company does to abate, mitigate, eliminate or minimize the danger of the hazard to worker’s health and lives. Be sure to read: http://safetyrich.blogspot.com/2011/05/four-levels-of-protection-from-hazards.html to get an understanding of the benefits of addressing hazards early in the process.

Ask questions, then answer them completely:

What is the hazard?

What could the hazard do in terms of injury and damage?

How do we train workers to recognize and avoid hazards, work safely?

How do we plan to mitigate harm to people, property and the environment?

How do we intend to protect workers and the facility from damage?

How do we plan to review and deal with the hazard?

We urge you to hire a professional, an expert on writing Safety Plans. You may save money in the short term by writing it yourself, but a single injury or fatality not only devastates a family, but costs could be extremely high.

“If you think hiring a professional is expensive, wait until you hire an amateur.” – Red Adair

However you address the issue. Be sure to do something in writing. The law requires it and your employees will be safer for you having done it.

See our Web site: SafetyRich  

Watch for release of white paper on Planning. Check SafetyTraining and SafetyRich Web sites for posting in later half of October 2011. Follow @OSHAnetwork and @SafetyRich on Twitter for notifications.

Future white papers on Risk Management and Employee Behaviour before end of 2011.