Scaffolding–

User Training
Bechtel Core Process Training
Core Process No. CP-214
Course ID – 1657G
©1999 Bechtel Corporation. All rights reserved. Contains
confidential information proprietary to Bechtel not to be
disclosed to third parties without Bechtel’s prior written consent.

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 Course Outline
1.0 Introduction and Objectives 8 .0
1.0 Introduction and Objectives 8 .0 Controlling
ControllingHazards
Hazards
2.0 Scope and Intentions of Core Process 8.1 Electrical Hazards
2.0 Scope and Intentions of Core Process 8.1 Electrical Hazards
3.0 Definitions 8.2 Fall Hazards
3.0 Definitions 8.2 Fall Hazards
4.0 Responsibilities 8.3 Falling Objects
4.0 Responsibilities 8.3 Falling Objects
5.0 Design and Erection Requirements 9.0.
5.0 Design and Erection Requirements 9.0. Safety
SafetyPrecautions
Precautions
5.1 General Requirements 9.1 General
5.1 General Requirements 9.1 General
5.2 Erection and Disassembly
5.2 Erection and Disassembly 9.2 Ladders
5.3 Types of Scaffolds 9.2 Ladders
5.3 Types of Scaffolds 9.3 Stairways
5.4 Platform Construction 9.3 Stairways
5.4 Platform Construction 9.4 Access
5.5 Load Capacity 9.4 Access
5.5 Load Capacity 9.5 Overhead Electrical Lines
6.0 Recognition of Hazards 9.5 Overhead Electrical Lines
6.0 Recognition of Hazards 9.6 Housekeeping
6.1 Electrical Hazards 9.6 Housekeeping
6.1 Electrical Hazards 9.7 Inclement Weather
6.2 Fall Hazards 9.7 Inclement Weather
6.2 Fall Hazards
6.3 Fall Protection Summary
6.3 Fall Protection Summary
7.0 Inspection and Use Quiz
7.0 Inspection and Use Quiz
7.1 Bechtel Tagging Program
7.1 Bechtel Tagging Program
7.2 Competent Person Inspection
7.2 Competent Person Inspection
7.3 User Inspection
7.3 User Inspection
7.4 Scaffold Use
7.4 Scaffold Use
7.5 What to Look For
7.5 What to Look For

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 1.0 Introduction and Objectives
This session will provide awareness level
training for employees who perform work on
scaffolds. Training will address:
 Hazards associated with scaffolds, including:
 Electrical hazards and the correct procedure for
dealing with electrical hazards
 Fall hazards Form Scaffold
 Falling object hazards

 Bechtel’s tagging system HANDRAIL

 Basic scaffold requirements

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1.0 Introduction and Objectives (Continued)
After completing this training, participants will be
able to:
 Identify potential hazards associated
with working on scaffolds and select
appropriate protection
 Comply with necessary fall protection
requirements while working on
scaffolds
 Adhere to proper use and handling
of materials on scaffolds
 Comply with Bechtel’s
scaffold tagging
program

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 2.0 Scope/Intention of Core Process
 Scope
 Applies to all Bechtel projects where Bechtel has
responsibility for work execution
 Intention of Core Process
 Safeguard employees who work on elevated
platforms
 Provide instructions for consistent and
standardized erection, use, and
dismantling of scaffolds
 Prevent substandard
scaffolding
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 3.0 Definitions
Scaffold – A temporary elevated platform
with a supporting structure
Competent Person – One who is
designated by the company, is capable of
identifying hazards, and has authority to
correct
Qualified Person – An individual
designated by the company that has
extensive knowledge, experience, and
ability to resolve problems

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 4.0 Responsibilities
Site Manager/Site Construction Manager – ensures
compliance
Field Superintendent – implements tagging procedure
Discipline Superintendent – disseminates instructions to
supervisors
ES&H Department – periodic monitoring
Scaffold Foreman/Leadman – supervises
erection/dismantling and inspection of scaffolds, applies
tag
Competent Person – ensures that scaffolds are
built to regulatory requirements
and have proper tagging

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 5.0 Design and Erection Requirements

 While scaffold is being erected or dismantled, a

red “Danger Keep Off” scaffold tag must be
installed and visible at all times.
 Do not work on a red tag scaffold for any reason
 A stairway or ladder is required at all access points
used by workers where there is a break in
elevation of 19” (48 cm) or more, and no
ramp/runway is provided.
 Fall protection is required if scaffold
presents a 6-ft (1.8-m) fall hazard.

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5.0 Design and Erection Requirements (Continued)
 All scaffolds erected shall comply with applicable regulations
under supervision of competent person
 All scaffolds are erected, modified, and dismantled by qualified
individuals— no exceptions!
 As much as possible/practical, scaffolds must have:
42” (1.1m) guardrails, 21” (.5 m) midrails, and toe boards on all
open sides
Top and midrails must be 2”x4” (5 cm x 10 cm) lumber or equivalent
Access ladder that extends at least 36” (.9 m) above platform
Wire mesh (No. 18, 1/2” (1.3 cm) wire mesh or
equivalent) between midrail and toe boards
where employees might travel below
scaffold

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5.0 Design and Erection Requirements (Continued)

Supported Suspension

 Welded
Welded Frame
Frame 
 Single
Single Point
Point
 Wood

Wood Pole
Pole  Multiple

Multiple Point
Point
 Tube

Tube and
and Coupler
Coupler  Floats

Floats
 Mobile

Mobile  Boatswain’s

Boatswain’s Chair
Chair
 Bamboo

Bamboo

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 5.0 Design and Erection Requirements
5.3 Types of Scaffolds (Continued)

 Spacing of panels or
frames shall be consistent
with the loads imposed.
 Scaffolds shall be properly
braced by cross bracing,
diagonal braces, or both,
to secure vertical members
together laterally, so that
the scaffold is plumb,
square, and rigid.
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 5.0 Design and Erection Requirements
5.3 Types of Scaffolds (Continued)

 Scaffold components from different

manufacturers shall not be intermixed
unless the parts fit together without
force, and the resulting scaffold’s
structural integrity is maintained by
the user.
 Wood platforms shall not be covered
with opaque finishes, except
that platform edges may be
covered or marked
for purposes of
identification.

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 5.0 Design and Erection Requirements
5.3 Types of Scaffolds (Continued)

Where platforms are

overlapped to create a long
platform, the overlap shall
occur only over supports,
and shall not be less than
12” (30 cm) unless the
platforms are nailed together
or otherwise restrained to
prevent movement.

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 5.0 Design and Erection Requirements
5.3 Types of Scaffolds (Continued)

 Scaffolds shall not be moved horizontally while

employees are on them.
 Maintain clearance between power lines and scaffolds,
including any conductive materials on the scaffold.
Minimum clearance:
 uninsulated and insulated
lines of more than 300 volts
is 10 ft (3 m)
 insulated lines of less
than 300 volts is 3 ft
(.9 m)

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 5.0 Design and Erection Requirements
5.3 Types of Scaffolds (Continued)

 Suspension scaffold outrigger beams, when

used, shall be made of structural metal or
equivalent strength material and be restrained
to prevent movement. Two Point
 Outrigger beams shall Suspended Scaffold

be secured directly to
the supporting surface
or stabilized using
counterweights.
Single Point Suspension
Scaffold Winding Drum Hoist
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 5.0 Design and Erection Requirements
5.3 Types of Scaffolds (Continued)
Handrail Manually Propelled
Mobile Scaffold

Handrail

Chicken Scaffold

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5.0 Design and Erection Requirements (Continued)

As much as possible/practical, scaffolds must have:

 Platform fully planked or decked
 no more than 1” (2.5 cm) gaps
 maximum openings of 9-1/2” (24 cm)
 Front edge of all platforms
 no more than 14” (36 cm) from face of work
 outrigger scaffolds - 3” (7.6 cm) from face of work
 No mixed scaffold components, unless compatibility
and integrity maintained
 Components of similar metals,
unless otherwise approved by
competent person
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5.0 Design and Erection Requirements (Continued)

 Scaffold must be capable of supporting its own

weight and 4 times the maximum intended load
 Suspension rope and hardware must be capable of

supporting 6 times the maximum intended load

 Light duty = 25 lbs per sq ft

 Medium duty = 50 lbs per sq ft

 Heavy duty = 75 lbs per sq ft

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 6.0 Recognition of Hazards

While erecting or working on scaffolds be

aware of:
 Uninsulated and energized conductors
 Broken light bulbs with/without guards
 Open wiring in electrical cabinets
 Cable trays with excessive cables
 Stepping into cable trays
 Hazards associated with power
tools
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 6.0 Recognition of Hazards (Continued)

While working in elevated work areas,

the risk of falling always exists—
 Ascending/descending ladders
 Slipping on oil/grease on ladder rungs
and scaffold boards
 Getting on/off ladder to scaffold
 Carrying material while
trying to climb on
ladders

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 6.0 Recognition of Hazards (Continued)

While working in elevated work

areas, the risk of falling objects
exists at all times—
 Falling objects such as power
and hand tools, nuts/bolts
from scaffolds
 Other work operations
above scaffold

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 7.0 Inspection and Use

 Scaffold tags are used to safely control how and when

scaffolds are used
 Scaffold tag indicates type of scaffold and precautions

to follow while on scaffold

 Green: All components present;
no fall protection required
 Yellow: Fall protection required
 Red: Unsafe; do not use

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 7.0 Inspection and Use (Continued)

 Each scaffold shall be inspected by the

competent person to ensure scaffold:
 Is built per design - scaffold is plumb, sturdy, level,
and secured
 Is capable of supporting
intended load
 Has no defects
 Components are safely
used

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 7.0 Inspection and Use (Continued)

 Inspect all scaffolds before use each day to

ensure:
 Scaffold is plumb, sturdy, level
 Supports are square
 Poles/uprights rest on mud
sills or suitable footings
 Planks have no cracks or
defects
 The scaffold is tagged

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 7.0 Inspection and Use (Continued)
 Never overload scaffold
 Do not use shore or lean-to scaffolds
 Only qualified scaffold builders can modify, alter, or dismantle
scaffold
 Immediately have defective braces removed/repaired
 Scaffolds must not be moved while occupied
 Maintain clearance from power lines
 Protect suspension ropes from damage
(e.g., heat, acid)
 Scaffolds must be erected, moved,
dismantled, or altered under the
supervision of a competent person

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 7.0 Inspection and Use (Continued)
 Never use a toe board to gain access to overhead
 Resolve slippery (snow, ice, grease) conditions before use
 Responsible supervisor shall ensure tools, materials, and
debris do not accumulate
 Do not use scaffolds during high winds
 Do not use scaffolds that are not
tagged
 Upon completion of work, craft
performing work must clean off
scaffold

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 7.0 Inspection and Use (Continued)

 Footings that are sound and rigid
 Footings that are sound and rigid
 Guardrails that are 2” x 4” (5 cm
 Guardrails that are 2” x 4” (5 cm
x 10 cm) wide and 3 to 3-1/2 ft
(.9x to
101.1
cm)m)wide and 3 to 3-1/2 ft
to high
(.9 to 1.1 m) to high
 Guardrail supports every 10 ft
 Guardrail supports every 10 ft
(3 m) on all open sides
(3 m) on all open sides
 Toe boards that are 4” (10 cm)
 Toe boards that are 4” (10 cm)
high on all open sides
high on all open sides
 Cross braces on metal frame
 Cross braces on metal frame
scaffolds
scaffolds
 Screens between the guardrails
Screens

and between the guardrails
toe boards
and toe boards
 Ladder or other safe way to get
 Ladder or other safe way to get
on and off the scaffold
on and off the scaffold
 Poles, legs, or other uprights that
 Poles, legs, or other uprights that
are plumb and secured
are plumb and secured
 Planks that extend 6” to 12”
 Planks that extend 6” to 12”
(15 cm to 30 cm) over the end
(15 cm on
supports to 30 cm) over
wooden the end
scaffolds
supports on wooden scaffolds

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 8.0 Controlling Hazards
 Protect yourself by checking electrical cords and
tools before taking them onto a scaffold
 Maintain proper distance between energized
conductors and scaffolding–insulated voltages
>300 volts require
distance of 10 ft
(3 m) between all
parts of scaffold

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 8.0 Controlling Hazards (Continued)

There are many different ways to protect

against falling off scaffolds -
 Guardrail System—top rail, midrail, toe board with
cross bracing
 Personal Fall Arrest
System—harness/belt
with lanyard,
anchorage, and
connectors
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 8.0 Controlling Hazards (Continued)

 Guardrails meeting the following requirements must be installed on

all open sides of scaffolds/platforms:
 Must be substantial material - 2”x4” (5 cm x 10 cm) lumber, steel tubing,
angle iron
 Top rail capacity of 200 lb (91 kg)
 Guardrails positioned at 42”  3”
(1.1 m  8 cm)
 Midrail must be 21”  3”
(.5 m  8 cm)
 Screens between midrail and
toe board
 Toe boards - 2”x4” (5 cm x 10 cm)
or equivalent
 Do not use guardrails as a ladder

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 8.0 Controlling Hazards (Continued)

The following can be used to prevent falling when

working in elevated/unprotected areas:
 Fall restraining device - full body
harness used to prevent free fall
 Lanyard (with locking snaphook)
 Connectors (D-ring)
 Anchorage (tie-off point)
 Deceleration device * (retractable)
 Lifeline * (horizontal or vertical)
* may be included or some combination

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 8.0 Controlling Hazards (Continued)

Safety harness/lanyard must be worn and used as back-up

to (or in the absence of) primary fall protection system
 Use harness attachment point located in center back
 Lanyard must be attached to
D-ring located middle back of
harness
 Tied off at waist level or higher
 Positioning devices must be
attached to D-rings of harness
belt location (waist)

Equipment Check Is
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 8.0 Controlling Hazards (Continued)

Basic protection includes hard hats and may include

safety glasses. Additional protection provided by
scaffolds with: Falling Objects
Can Be Deadly
 Toe boards at edges of
platform/scaffold
 Screens
 Canopy structures to deflect
falling objects
 Barricades to prohibit
employees from working below

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 9.0 Safety Precautions
 Make sure scaffold poles, legs, posts, and uprights bear on
base plates and mud sills or other firm foundations
 Keep only the materials you need on a scaffold
 Remove all materials from a scaffold at the end of the day
 Don't overload scaffold
 Keep tools and materials
away from the edge of
scaffold
 Keep the area around
scaffold clear of debris

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 9.0 Safety Precautions (Continued)

 Portable ladders used for access to upper landing; side rails

must extend 3 ft (.9 m) above landing
 Use 3-point contact while climbing
and always face the ladder
 Ladders must be secured to
scaffolds to prevent movement
 Damaged ladders should be
removed from service and
tagged “Do Not Use”
 Exercise extreme caution while
getting on/off ladders and
scaffolds
Ladder Safety
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 9.0 Safety Precautions (Continued)

Stairways used to access scaffolds and

platforms shall have:
 A toprail and midrail on each side
 Stairails that are at least 18” (46 cm) apart
 Landing platforms at least 18” wide and 18”
long at each level
 Landing platforms at 35 ft
(10.7 m) maximum vertical
intervals

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 9.0 Safety Precautions (Continued)

 All scaffolds shall have safe access

 Access provided should allow safe passage onto and
from scaffolds
 Access through cross
braces is prohibited
 Portable, hook-on,
and attachable ladders
shall be positioned so
as not to tip the
scaffold

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 9.0 Safety Precautions (Continued)

 Supervisors should pre-assess the potential for

overhead electrical contact while planning the job
 Scaffolds must not be erected,

moved, dismantled, or used so

that any conductive material
used on them can come into
contact with overhead
electrical lines— Minimum
distance is 10 ft (3 m) —
more depending on voltage
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 9.0 Safety Precautions (Continued)

 As in other areas around the job, keeping

scaffolds clear of debris and unnecessary material
is very important
 Remove extra material daily
 Do not store material on
scaffold
 Keep area around scaffold
clear from debris and waste

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 9.0 Safety Precautions (Continued)

 Do not use an outdoor scaffold in bad weather.

Sand the surface if wet or slippery.
 Remove snow, ice, or other slippery materials

before working on scaffold.

 Do not work on scaffolds during storms or

high winds unless authorized by competent

person.

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 Summary
Scaffold work is, by definition, very hazardous.
 Inspect the scaffold to make sure it is in good condition.

 Make sure the scaffold is firmly secured.

 Never overload a scaffold.

 Keep only the materials you need on a scaffold.

 Keep tools and materials away from the edge of a scaffold.

 Remove all materials from a scaffold at the end of the day.

 Keep the area around the scaffold clear of debris.

 Don't bang into a scaffold with anything heavy such as a

forklift, pieces of lumber, etc.

 Do not use an outdoor scaffold in bad

weather. Sand the surface if it is at all

wet or slippery.
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 Quiz
1. Guardrails and toe boards are required for any platform over____ feet above the
ground.
2. Scaffolds and their components shall be capable of supporting _____ times the
maximum intended load.
3. T F You can work on a red tagged scaffold only for a short time.
4. T F Scaffold should be inspected before each use by the user.
5. T F A scaffold with a yellow tag required fall protection.
6. T F A scaffold should have a top rail, midrail, toe board and safe access.
7. Scaffolds shall be erected under the supervision of a ____________ person
8. T F Any craft or employee can modify a scaffold
9. T F It is safe to move a mobile scaffold while someone is sitting
down on the scaffold
10. T F You don’t have to immediately report
damaged scaffold parts as long as the
damage appears minor.

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