Scaffolding is a temporary platform used in construction, maintenance, and repair. OSHA has strict regulations for its construction and use to ensure safety and prevent injury. Commercial and residential projects may require scaffolding, and homeowners should consult professionals to avoid injury.
Scaffolding is a temporary platform constructed to reach heights above arm’s reach for the purpose of building construction, maintenance, or repair. It is usually made of lumber and steel and can range from simple to complex in design, depending on its use and purpose. Millions of construction workers, painters and building maintenance workers work on scaffolding every day and due to the nature of its use, it must be constructed and used properly to ensure the safety of those who use it.
The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Organization (OSHA) has very specific standards for the construction and use of scaffolding in the workplace, and many large commercial and government construction projects require that all workers have scaffolding training and OSHA certification. Some of the OSHA regulations regarding its construction include the use of specific types of lumber when steel is not used, weight restrictions based on the design, and regular checks for weakened or broken sections. OSHA places stringent safety regulations on the construction and use of scaffolding to not only reduce serious work injury or death, but also save employers millions in lost time and workers’ compensation. OSHA can issue fines to any business, large or small, that it finds in violation of these regulations.
Commercial construction accounts for the largest use of scaffolding, but residential construction and home improvement projects may also sometimes require it. Professional painters are equipped to quickly and correctly build these platforms in the workplace, as are other professionals such as bricklayers and carpenters. Unfortunately, many homeowners attempt to build scaffolding for their own use without proper knowledge, which often results in injury. To avoid personal injury when attempting to repair, paint, or maintain a home, it’s important for the homeowner to know how to properly and safely erect a platform that will provide a stable work surface and support weight on it. People who are unsure about how to build or use scaffolding should consult a professional contractor.
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