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.

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