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<\/figure>\n\nHere’s the Catch: The Daily Inspection<\/h2>\n
This is the part people miss. Once you’re on a hanging platform, you can’t do the hoist maker’s daily inspection.<\/p>\n
Why? The first step is to take the wire rope out of the hoist and test the overspeed device. You can’t do that while you’re hanging from that rope. So the inspection has to happen before you’re in the air, when the platform is on the ground or parked where you can safely work on it.<\/p>\n
And remember, OSHA requires a competent person to inspect the scaffold before each work shift (1926.451(f)(3)).<\/p>\n
Fall Protection<\/h2>\n
On a swing stage you need a harness, a lanyard, and an independent lifeline, plus guardrails. The lifeline must be tied to its own anchor, not the scaffold or its rigging. OSHA’s fall protection rules for scaffolds are in 1926.451(g).<\/p>\n
There are six parts to the fall protection system: the anchor, the termination device (or termination plate), the lifeline, the rope grab, the lanyard, and the harness.<\/p>\n
The rope grab is the most important piece. Its job is to keep you tied to the lifeline while the platform moves up and down. If you were hooked to the lifeline with a rigid connection, you couldn’t ride the platform at all.<\/p>\n
Platform<\/h2>\n
The platform has to be sound, fully decked, and used in a way the maker says. Do not overload it, and do not add parts that don’t belong.<\/p>\n
Stability<\/h2>\n
Wind is the big one. When it’s windy, tie the platform to the building so it doesn’t swing. The competent person has to determine whether or not the scaffold can be used when windy conditions exist (25 miles an hour is the point at which the competent person must determine whether it’s safe to use a two-point or multi-point suspended scaffold). On a single point suspended scaffold, like a work cage, the limit is 20 miles an hour. OSHA says two-point and multi-point suspension scaffolds must be tied or secured to keep them from swaying, as the competent person decides (1926.451(d)(18)).<\/p>\n
Also keep the platform level. If one end gets lower than the other, more weight shifts to that end. That can overload the rigging on that side.<\/p>\n
Electrical Hazards<\/h2>\n
Stay away from power lines. OSHA has a table of safe distances for scaffold near energized lines. For 300 volts to 50,000 volts, it’s 10 feet. Higher voltages need more room. The newer wording talks about safe approach distance instead of calling them minimum distances. Either way, that’s the closest you should ever get.<\/p>\n
And remember, a suspended scaffold has cords and cables hanging below it which can blow into electric lines. Make sure that you have safeguarded against that.<\/p>\n
Training and Competent Persons<\/h2>\n
Everyone on a scaffold needs training. OSHA spells out who does what in 1926.454. Users are trained by a qualified person. Erectors and dismantlers are trained by a competent person.<\/p>\n