Photographs are powerful learning tools in identifying and preventing of workplace hazards. Thank you to Keith Brown, our USF SafetyFlorida contributor for August. What is wrong with this picture?  A keen eye should reveal several potential problems.

• 

Violation(s):      

29 CFR 1910.452(w)(6)(i) – “The surface on which the scaffold is being moved shall be within 3 degrees of level, and free of pits, holes, and obstructions.” 

29 CFR 1926.452(w)(9) – “Caster stems and wheel stems shall be pinned or otherwise secured in scaffold legs or adjustment screws” 

Condition(s):     

Rebar was found protruding through concrete floor and bent parallel to floor creating an obstruction to the mobile scaffold’s casters. Plastic strapping was observed being used to secure a caster stem to a scaffold leg, and is not approved for such use by the scaffold manufacturer nor the manufacturer of the strapping material.

Consequences:

Worker(s) exposed to falls and or crushing injuries including fractures, lacerations, contusions, and even potential death from an upended mobile scaffold as a result of casters coming into contact with obstructions, or loss of a castor.

Corrective Actions:

Scaffolds shall be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered only under the supervision and direction of a competent person qualified in scaffold erection, moving, dismantling, or alteration. Such activities shall be performed only by experienced and trained employees selected for such work by the competent person.

Workplace safety is never an accident. Allowing safety team members or safety professionals to perform regular worksite/facility inspections can be valuable in identifying and preventing hazards that can impact your workforce. The USF SafetyFlorida Consultation Program provides confidential, on site hazard assessments at no-cost. For more information or to request a consultation, visit www.usfsafetyflorida.com or call us toll-free at (813) 974-9962.