Pennsylvania Code › Title 34 - LABOR AND INDUSTRY › Part I - Department of Labor and Industry › Chapter 6 - CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIRS › SPECIFICATIONS › Section 6.11 - General

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Supervision.
The erection, alteration and removal of scaffolds
				  shall be done under the direction and supervision of men thoroughly experienced
				  in scaffold work.
(b)
Lumber sizes.
Lumber sizes, when used in this chapter, refer
				  to nominal sizes except where dimensions other than standard sizes are
				  given.
(c)
Scaffolds to be
				  provided.
Scaffolds constructed in accordance with this Chapter shall
				  be provided for workmen engaged in work that is not possible to do safely from
				  the ground or from solid construction, except such short period work as may be
				  done safely from ladders.
(d)
Strength of lumber.
Lumber used in the construction and
				  erection of scaffolds shall be of sap pine, long leaf yellow pine, spruce, fir,
				  Oregon pine or equivalent in strength and shall be sound, well-seasoned (except
				  sap pine) and free from strength-reducing defects, such as knots of greater
				  size than consistent with absolute safety, crossgrain, dip grain, shakes, large
				  checks, brashness, rot or dote of worm holes, or other defects impairing its
				  strength or durability. Hemlock shall not be used for scaffolds over 30 feet in
				  height. Hemlock, when used, shall be of larger size than that required for any
				  other species of wood. Reference should be made to the Appendix to this
				  chapter, setting forth rating strength of lumber.
(e)
Inspection of lumber and safety
				  factor.
All lumber shall be thoroughly inspected before use and all
				  scaffolds and their supports shall be capable of supporting the load they are
				  designed to carry with a safety factor of at least four. Scaffolds shall not at
				  any time be overloaded.
(f)
Planks for flooring.
Planks used for flooring shall be of
				  uniform thickness so as not to cause unevenness, and, in laying such planks,
				  care shall be taken to avoid "traps."
(g)
Guardrails and toeboards.
Guardrails and toeboards shall be provided on the outer edges and
				  ends of the platforms of all types of scaffolds six feet or more above the
				  ground (including rails across window openings which extend more than 34 inches
				  above the scaffold platform) except riveters' outrigger scaffolds, window jack
				  scaffolds, and painters' swinging scaffolds used for sign painting at a height
				  not exceeding 7 feet. Toeboards are not required on painters' swinging
				  scaffolds. Guardrails and toeboards shall be securely fastened to the uprights
				  on the side facing the platform.
(h)
Dimensions of guardrails.
Guardrails shall be the equivalent in strength of wood rails 2 by 4
				  inches and shall be not less than 34 inches in height and shall extend along
				  the entire length of the outside and ends of platform with only such openings
				  as may be necessary for delivery of materials. They shall be secured to
				  uprights at intervals of not more than 8 feet.
(i)
Dimensions of toeboards.
Toeboards shall project not less than 6 inches above the top of the
				  platform planks and shall be erected so as to leave no space between the
				  platform planks and the toeboards.
(j)
Nails.
All nails shall
				  be of proper size (minimum ten penny) of ample length, and of best quality and
				  be used in sufficient quantities at each connection to develop the designed
				  strength of the scaffold. No nails shall be subjected to a straight pull. All
				  nails shall be driven in full length and the bending over of partly driven
				  nails is prohibited. This subsection shall not be construed to prohibit the
				  proper use of double headed nails.
(k)
Lifelines and safety belts.
Where it is necessary for workmen to crawl out on thrustouts or
				  projecting beams, lifelines and safety belts of approved design shall be
				  worn.
(l)
Sway bracing of
				  members.
The principal members of scaffolds shall be rigidly and
				  securely sway braced to prevent their displacement in any direction.
(m)
Approval of scaffolds.
All scaffolds for which specifications have not been given in this chapter, and
				  all patented or manufactured scaffolds, parts of scaffolds or scaffolding
				  devices and all types of scaffolds developed subsequent to May 15, 1929, shall
				  be of an approved type.
(n)
Repair of damaged scaffolds.
Any scaffold that is damaged or
				  weakened by any cause, shall be immediately repaired and workmen shall not be
				  permitted on such scaffold until repairs have been completed.
(o)
Inspection of scaffolding
				  machine.
The moving parts of scaffolding machines shall be regularly
				  inspected twice a month by the employer of the men using the machine and a
				  record kept of the findings of the inspections. This record shall be accessible
				  to representatives of the Department at all times. The owner of the scaffolding
				  machine shall be notified at once to replace any defective or worn parts and
				  the use of the machines shall be discontinued until such replacements have been
				  made. This record shall also be accessible to representatives of the
				  Department. When a scaffolding machine is removed from a location it shall be
				  thoroughly inspected and overhauled before it is again used.
(p)
Tag line required.
When
				  materials are being hoisted up on a scaffold they shall have a tag line to
				  prevent them from striking against the scaffold unless hoisting equipment is
				  arranged so that there is no danger of material striking the
				  scaffold.
(q)
Work not
				  permitted during storm.
Men shall not be permitted to work on a
				  scaffold during a storm or high wind, or on scaffolds which are covered with
				  ice or snow. Clinging ice shall be removed from all guardrails and uprights and
				  the planking sanded to prevent slipping.
(r)
Working over or near water.
Employes working over or near water, where the danger of drowning
				  exists, shall be provided with United States Coast Guard approved life jackets
				  or bouyant work vests. Life preservers shall be inspected for defects which
				  would alter their strength of bouyancy. Defective units shall not be used. Ring
				  buoys with at least 90 feet of line shall be provided and readily available for
				  emergency rescue operations. The distance between ring buoys shall not exceed
				  200 feet. At least one lifesaving skiff shall be immediately available at
				  locations where employes are working over or adjacent to water.