Scaffold Inspection Checklist
Heighten safety in scaffolding work with a mobile app
Heighten safety in scaffolding work with a mobile app
Published December 8th, 2020
A scaffold inspection checklist is used to identify installation oversights and defects in scaffolding. These checklists should carry out critical and thorough evaluations focusing on a scaffold’s strength, rigidity, and stability, to ensure that it passes regulatory safety standards.
This scaffold safety inspection checklist template can be used by scaffolding inspection professionals to conduct assessments of scaffolding work to ensure it is safe for use. Here are some guidelines on how you can utilize this digital checklist:
This scaffold safety inspection checklist template can be used by scaffolding inspection professionals to conduct assessments of scaffolding work to ensure it is safe for use. Here are some guidelines on how you can utilize this digital checklist:
Use this OSHA Scaffold Inspection Checklist to inspect scaffolds and scaffold parts before each work shift, and after any event that may have caused damage. Make sure that only trained and fully equipped personnel will be performing the task. Use iAuditor to document the inspection and provide an efficient report while on-site.
Ensure workers safety while working at scaffolds. Check scaffold components like base plates, railings, and platforms if installed properly and in good working condition. Capture photo evidence of damaged or defective items and assign corrective actions to another competent person while performing the inspection.
Use this scaffolding checklist to audit scaffold components and assure that no defects were recorded. This will also check proper access to get on and off the scaffold and if “Do Not Use” tag is placed when the scaffold is damaged.
Use OSHA toolbox talk: scaffolding template to communicate the general requirements on safety precaution to all workers when using scaffolding. Use iAuditor to confirm that these information were discussed and fully understood by the workers.
This PPE safety checklist can be used to select the appropriate personal protective equipment to protect against hazards when working on scaffolding. Common PPE used when working on scaffolding includes head and fall protection. Start by identifying risks that may harm body parts, select the appropriate PPE to be used. Summarize the inspection by providing recommendations of PPE to be used or replaced.
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Scaffolding work is vital to the construction industry as 65% of the construction industry work on scaffolds frequently. With the importance of scaffolding work in construction projects, it is crucial that erectors and users involved in scaffolding work be protected through scaffolding safety inspections. These inspections help manage and control the inherent risks of scaffolding work. Thorough scaffold inspections help spot both the apparent and underlying hazards that threaten stability of the ground, scaffolding tower, and work structure – helping protect the livelihood of the workers involved.
Learn the DO’s and DONT’s of scaffolding safety in this article.
Generally, scaffold inspections must be performed in these three instances:
The scaffolding inspection procedure should involve a rigorous assessment of scaffolding parameters (e.g. posts, frames, base plates, footing), appropriate scaffolding materials, guardrails and mid-rails, distance from power lines, performance of scaffolding workers, and possible faults in planks. An extensive scaffold inspection checklist can help outline these necessary steps to ensure every aspect of the scaffold inspection is covered.
Scaffolding inspection should be conducted by a scaffold competent person who possesses the minimum qualifications prescribed in their country of work. A final report must be provided by the assessor after each scaffold inspection, which must then be retained at the site until the construction work is completed.
OSHA provides a comprehensive directive regarding the inspection of scaffolding used in construction work. Below, we will be highlighting a few key sections to act as a quick guide to scaffolding safety:
The compliance officer is in-charge of ensuring that a scaffold competent person is present on site. A scaffold competent person must have sufficient training and experience to oversee the safe erection and use of scaffolding as defined by Appendix A in OSHA’s Inspection Procedures for Enforcing Subpart L, Scaffolds Used in Construction.
Fall protection is automatically required for employees working at a height of at least six feet or higher. Depending on the type of scaffold in use, employers may be required to provide a guard rail system, a personal fall arrest for each employee, or both.
The scaffold’s rated load refers to the amount of weight a scaffold is designed to carry. The maximum intended load refers to the total weight of the actual load you will put on the scaffold. As a safety measure, OSHA requires scaffolds to be capable of bearing four times the maximum intended load, not the rated load. This ensures that the scaffold is strong enough to hold even if it is affected by accidents, machine failures, or strong winds. Never overload a scaffolding.
Construction businesses based in North America adhere to OSHA standards, while scaffolding work done in the United Kingdom should follow the guidelines on the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE)’s Work at Heights Regulations 2005.
Scaffolding tags serve as warning devices for workers and other construction site personnel. Accidents, injuries, and other preventable incidents can be averted with the correct use of scaffolding tags. Below is a summary of the most important scaffolding tag requirements as outlined by OSHA:
Using a mobile scaffold inspection checklist from iAuditor by SafetyCulture, you can perform comprehensive inspections to ensure that scaffolding in construction sites meet relevant safety standards. Record data, capture photos, and recommend corrective actions so scaffolding risks and hazards are taken care of.
Know how to conduct better inspections by downloading this collection of general and featured OSHA checklists covering scaffold quality evaluations and other best practice scaffold inspection checklist, and customize them to suit your own scaffolding safety requirements.
Use this OSHA Scaffold Inspection Checklist to inspect scaffolds and scaffold parts before each work shift, and after any event that may have caused damage. Make sure that only trained and fully equipped personnel will be performing the task. Use iAuditor to document the inspection and provide an efficient report while on-site.
Ensure workers safety while working at scaffolds. Check scaffold components like base plates, railings, and platforms if installed properly and in good working condition. Capture photo evidence of damaged or defective items and assign corrective actions to another competent person while performing the inspection.
Use this scaffolding checklist to audit scaffold components and assure that no defects were recorded. This will also check proper access to get on and off the scaffold and if “Do Not Use” tag is placed when the scaffold is damaged.
Use OSHA toolbox talk: scaffolding template to communicate the general requirements on safety precaution to all workers when using scaffolding. Use iAuditor to confirm that these information were discussed and fully understood by the workers.
This PPE safety checklist can be used to select the appropriate personal protective equipment to protect against hazards when working on scaffolding. Common PPE used when working on scaffolding includes head and fall protection. Start by identifying risks that may harm body parts, select the appropriate PPE to be used. Summarize the inspection by providing recommendations of PPE to be used or replaced.
