Scaffold Stair Tower Inspection Requirements

This is in response to your april 30 1999 fax asking for clarification of osha s policy regarding the use of scaffold stair towers for access to upper floors during construction of multistory buildings.

Scaffold stair tower inspection requirements.

The greater the potential danger to a worker the. I have inside and or outside handrails. When scaffold stairs are used for access to locations other than scaffold platforms the provisions of 1926 subpart x apply. Osha s inspection procedures for enforcing subpart l scaffolds used in construction 29 cfr 1926 450 454 establishes the methods for scaffold inspections.

When scaffold platforms are more than 2 feet 0 6 m above or below a point of access portable ladders hook on ladders attachable ladders stair towers scaffold stairways towers stairway type ladders such as ladder stands ramps walkways integral prefabricated scaffold access or direct access from another scaffold structure. Consequently scaffold stairs which meet all the requirements of subpart x may be used for temporary access to upper floors while constructing multistory buildings. The scaffold is erected at a safe distance from power lines. Scaffold stair system installed at a project in bloomington in.

C permanent stairways shall comply with the applicable provisions of the general industry safety orders. A non scaffolder who has attended a scaffold inspection course eg a site manager could be deemed competent to inspect a basic scaffold structure. There are many requirements set by osha to ensure a thorough inspection. Suspension scaffold rigging must at least 6 times the intended load.

Osha inspections are prioritized on a basis of risk assessment. The scaffold stair towers are the most common and safest method of obtaining access to scaffold units and should be included within this subpart. In particular one commenter ex. 1926 451 a 1 and 3 training employers must train each employee who works on a scaffold on the hazards and the procedures to control the hazards.

The scaffold does not block exits egress paths fire alarms and fire suppression systems. Prefabricated scaffold steps or stairs manufactured on or before may 28 2005 shall comply with the design manufacture and installation requirements of either the american national standard ansi a10 8 1988 scaffolding safety requirements or the ansi asse a10 8 2001 safety. 2 368 suggested that osha insert a new paragraph 1926 451 c 5 as follows. The scaffold inspection report should note any defects or matters that could give rise to a risk to health and safety and any corrective actions taken even when those actions are taken promptly as.

1926 454 inspections before each work shift and after any occurrence that could affect the structural integrity. Safe access is provided by ladders stairs ramps etc.