Scaffolds can be some of the most complex, time-consuming, and ultimately dangerous tools to use on the job. Proper setup and use of scaffolds can be some of the most technical challenges for the worker since there are multitude of regulations, manufacturer’s and/or engineer’s requirements, and common sense that have to be utilized when erecting, altering, using, and dismantling scaffolds. This article will address some sectional/ frame scaffold issues.
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There can be many hazards when working on a job site. Many builders realize the injuries that can occur when corners are cut trying to save money on a job site. There are many costs that can be reduced, but costs should never be cut when dealing with employee safety and safety equipment.

Hard hats are an essential piece of equipment that should always be worn on a building site. The hard hat helps to protect ones head from falling debris to bumping the head on objects on the job site. Without wearing one of these hats, can lead to many head injuries and even death for a person.

When back braces are not worn when lifting, can cause major spinal injuries. By wearing a back brace when bending or lifting helps keep the back from being strained. This piece of equipment when worn properly can help prevent many common back-related injuries that can occur when lifting and bending.

Protective eyewear can help reduce of injury or loss of and eye when worn properly. There are many hazards that can injure the eye on a job site. This can include flying debris to working with hazardous chemicals. Safety goggles or safety glasses are a great way to help protect eyes from injury when doing any type of construction work.

Costs on purchasing safety signs should never be cut. “Danger” and “Caution’ signs should always be placed where applicable on a job site. This will keep workers informed on where some of the most dangerous areas are and where certain precautions should be taken in these designated areas. By not using these signs on a construction site could result in many different types of injuries or even death.

A first aide kit is a must on a construction site. Without having this basic piece of equipment can have devastating effects when one has an injury. By having a first aide kit that is fully stocked at all times can sometimes be the difference between life and death for someone that is hurt on the job site. This allows one to apply first aide until the person receives medical attention.

Following certain rules for safety and using proper safety equipment on a job site, not only saves money in the long run, but can also save lives. By not cutting corners on safety will greatly reduce hazards on the job site.

Ladder accidents frequently happen when the ladder is not set properly. OSHA safety regulations, contractor safety programs, and ladder manufacturers alike do not require fall protection systems for portable ladders. This is primarily due to the fact that while ladder use is certainly involved in many accidents, it’s simply proper usage of the ladders that will provide a safe working environment. Unfortunately, “proper usage” involves a level, stable surface to set the ladder on, or structure to set the ladder against – with a proper place to tie off the ladder, etc. In the real world, this is rarely the case, and rather than set the ladder improperly, consider using ladder accessories for your situation. The venerable stepladder is by far the most common ladder to work from. Most problems working on stepladders occur from having your tools within reach and secure from falling. Here are a couple of my favorites for stepladders.
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Ladder accidents frequently happen when the ladder is not set properly. OSHA safety regulations, contractor safety programs, and ladder manufacturers alike do not require fall protection systems for portable ladders. This is primarily due to the fact that while ladder use is certainly involved in many accidents, it’s simply proper usage of the ladders that will provide a safe working environment. Unfortunately, “proper usage” involves a level, stable surface to set the ladder on, or structure to set the ladder against – with a proper place to tie off the ladder, etc. In the real world, this is rarely the case, and rather than set the ladder improperly, consider using ladder accessories for your situation. Here are some more of my favorites.
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One of the most common misuses of straight, extension and stepladders is not using the right ladder for the job. OSHA safety regulations, contractor safety programs, and ladder manufacturers alike do not require fall protection systems for portable ladders. This is primarily due to the fact that while ladder use is certainly involved in many accidents, it’s simply proper usage of the ladders that will provide a safe working environment. For instance, the material that a stepladder, straight or extension ladder is made from can be critical to ladder safety. Using a ladder of the wrong material may be fatal! Ladder engineers design ladders of certain materials for certain types of work – not paying attention to this is just asking for trouble.
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One of the most common misuses of straight, extension and stepladders is not using the coorect rated ladder for the job. OSHA safety regulations, contractor safety programs, and ladder manufacturers alike do not require fall protection systems for portable ladders. This is primarily due to the fact that while ladder use is certainly involved in many accidents, it’s simply proper usage of the ladders that will provide a safe working environment. For instance, the weight rating of a ladder is critical to ladder safety. If the weight rating of an extension ladder is insufficient (see figure 1), there is more outward lateral pressure on the feet than the ladder was designed for, and more pressure on the rungs and siderails, and of course, more pressure on the extension latches. What this means to you is that the ladder is much more likely to be damaged, fail or collapse than you than you realize. Ladder engineers design their ladders based on the anticipated load.
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OSHA safety regulations, contractor safety programs, and ladder manufacturers alike do not require fall protection systems for portable ladders. This is primarily due to the fact that while ladder use is certainly involved in many accidents, it’s simply proper usage of the ladders that will provide a safe working environment. For instance, the angle that a straight or extension ladder is placed against a wall or structure is critical to ladder safety. If the base of the ladder is placed too far away from the wall (see figure 1), there is more outward lateral pressure on the feet than the ladder was designed for. What this means to you is that the ladder is much more likely to slip out from under you than you realize. Ladder engineers design the foot dimensions and materials based on the anticipated load, but only at the correct angle – any more lateral forces on the feet is just asking for trouble.
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The rates of workplace injuries and illnesses in 2007 occurred at a rate of 4.2 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers—a decline of .2 cases from 4.4 cases in 2006. Also, the number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses reported in 2007 went down slightly to about 4 million cases, compared to 4.1 million cases in 2006. The total recordable injury and illness incidence rate has declined by 0.2 cases per 100 workers each year since 2003, when estimates from the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses were first published using the North American Industry Classification System. Some key findings of the 2007 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses were:
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According to recent figures released at a DOL presentation May 12, 2009, MSHA will not be receiving much in the way of additional funding for its programs.  While OSHA get a 10 percent budget increase, MSHA will only get 2 percent.   The DOL defends their position saying that over the past several years, MSHA has received large budget increases, which have allowed the agency to step up its enforcement significantly.

However, for instance, the state grants program under MSHA, an $8 million program will not be receiving any additional monies in FY 2010.  As far as enforcement efforts, enforcement at MSHA, presently a $237 million program for 2010 is budgeted at a little over $242 million, barely a 2% increase.  From MSHA’s Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances, the 2010 budget figures show barely any increase ($50,000) in its $3 million program to promulgate new regulations.

And funding for compliance assistance to employers, which could help employers comply with mine safety regulations, working with MSHA as partners, presently is non-existent.  According to the DOL presentation, “…MSHA’s enforcement programs do not set aside funding for compliance assistance activities. MSHA offers compliance assistance to labor unions, employers and individual workers to help them understand the safety and health laws and fully comply with them…”

Furthermore, mine safety itself  isn’t highlighted in any of the budget materials.  Is protecting the nation’s miners simply not a priority for the Department?

Labor Secretary Hilda Solis warns that OSHA will increase inspections at federal worksites in connection with projects funded by the economic stimulus bill, with a special focus on construction work.  “As you undertake these new projects, please be mindful that the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration may be conducting increased inspections of federal worksites…” Solis said.

She singled out construction work as including “some of the more consistently hazardous worksites,” saying OSHA would be “focusing its resources to account for the anticipated increase in construction projects and related activities” as a result of the stimulus funding.

The three-page letter further urged the other cabinet secretaries to “…take steps to safeguard both federal workers and contractors…” involved in stimulus bill projects that fund expanded infrastructure, new construction projects, or any other new work or worksites.  Solis also urged the cabinet secretaries to enroll their staff in a two-day training program OSHA will be offering for federal employees at OSHA Training Institute centers across the country.

President Obama’s fiscal 2010 budget request seeks funding for 130 new OSHA inspectors, with a special focus on foreign-speaking inspectors to address changes in workplace demographics. Solis told a Senate appropriations subcommittee May 13 that the budget request will “restore OSHA’s enforcement presence in the nation’s workplace.”

More than $88 billion in stimulus funds has been disbursed, according to the White House’s first quarterly report on the stimulus, released May 13.