Santa received a notice of violation(1926.451) Scaffolding which is severe making it #3 on OSHA’s TopTen violations for 2019.

Think of scaffolding as another way to keep you from falling.  It gives you a stable platform to work on at several stories high if needed.  You can surround your project with scaffolding and work on it safe from all angles while stacking materials and using small pieces of equipment.

There are several kinds of scaffolding.  Single or brick layer’s scaffolding, Double, Cantilever, Suspended, and Trestle.  No matter which one you use it is only as good as it’s base so only a certified individual should direct and train other workers on its assembly.

Santa forgot to have one of his fore-elves certified and would have understood the procedures to control or minimize the hazards associated with erecting scaffolding and to train other elves so they may participate and assist in the construction.  So guess what?  Here again, training is critical for the safety of everyone involved.

1. Plan ahead
2. What kind of conditions will you be dealing with and for how long?
3. How many people and what kinds of equipment and materials will be used?
4. Pick your scaffolding
5. Inspect
6. Refresher training with all workers involved and how you’ll all proceed
7. Assemble scaffolding
8. Inspect. Never assume.
9. Inspect
10. Inspect
11. Taking it down can be as dangerous as putting it up if not more.  Pay attention and stay focused.
12. As with all training, document with signatures and a copy of the materials used.

It seems like it’s been a long week with so many issues cleaned up at Santa’s workshop and we are now down to the top two.   Friday: On the Ninth Day.