Online Scaffold Safety Training to Meet OSHA Standards

Written by Staff Writer | Edited by Michael Purser

Scaffolding makes it possible to work safely and comfortably at height in many different industries. However, it's only safe to use if it's built and maintained correctly. That's why it's so important to adhere to safe use regulations when constructing and using these structures.

Millions of workers use scaffolds each year. Unfortunately, improper use is a contributing factor to workplace fall injuries and even deaths in the construction industry. As a result, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) carefully regulates the use of scaffolds. To prevent potential injuries, everyone using these structures can benefit from supported scaffolding safety training.

Because these structures can be so hazardous, many workplaces are required by law to designate competent persons to protect employees. Competent persons are employer-selected individuals empowered to identify, control and correct specific jobsite hazards.

Let's take a closer look at scaffolds, including what they are, how they are used and what kind of employee education is required to use them.

What Are Scaffolds?

Scaffolding includes several kinds of temporary work structures. There are two major types of scaffolds. Suspended scaffolds are platforms held above the ground by ropes, pulleys or other non-rigid systems. These are usually used on finished structures by professionals like window washers.

Most people think of supported scaffolding when they hear the word. These platforms are built alongside other structures to help many types of professionals, including painters, masons, glaziers and anyone else who needs to work at height.

Humans have been building structures to work at heights for thousands of years. While these structures could be constructed using a wide variety of materials and methods, today's scaffolding is somewhat standardized. In North America, it is typically made from steel, aluminum or timber. Elsewhere, bamboo or other materials may be more common.

Whatever material makes up the structure, most utilize similar components. These include:

• A base or foundation for the structure
• Framing for structural integrity and safety
• Flooring for walking, standing and holding materials and tools

OSHA establishes federal standards for the materials, components, construction, height and other aspects of both suspension and supported platforms.

How Is Scaffolding Used in the Construction Industry?

Properly constructed scaffolds provide stable, safe access to just about any work area. That's why they are used so often in construction. It would be impossible to get the job done without them.

You will find these platforms at just about every construction site at some point. Their use can include:

• Assessment: Repair work or restoration work may require getting up close to the problem for inspection.
• Cleaning: Window cleaners and other cleaning crews need to get workers and their equipment up to the structure to do their job.
• Masonry: Bricklayers and other masonry specialists need a safe, stable platform to store bricks, mix mortar and erect masonry.
• Glazing: Installing glass is delicate work. Glazers often use these structures to do the careful job of installing and repairing windows without breaking materials or hurting themselves.
• Painting: While paint can be applied with telescoping rollers, more detailed work using sprayers, hand brushes or other tools requires close access.

And that's not all. Everyone from electricians to roofers may need additional elevation to do their jobs.

What Training Is Needed to Safely Erect, Use and Remove Scaffolds?

Having a stable framework is crucial for nearly every step of the construction (or demolition) process. But it's not enough to just throw up a structure and get to work. Employers and workers must prioritize the safe erection, use and removal of scaffolding to minimize the risk of injury.

Major hazards include:

• Improper assembly: Insecure footings, improperly installed supports or unsuitable planking can lead to collapses or other structural failures.
• Falling objects: Tools, debris, materials and anything else that falls from a height onto those below can be dangerous and potentially deadly. Struck-by accidents are one of OSHA's Focus Four construction hazards.
• Slips, trips and falls: It is all too easy to slip or trip on scaffolds and fall from a dangerous height. Cluttered cords or even simple rainwater might cause a worker to lose their footing.
• Damage: Wear and tear can degrade tools — and scaffolds are no exception. Unfortunately, that damage can cause supports to snap or joints to fail.
• Electricity: Working at height can expose workers to overhead or hanging wires and put them at risk of electrical shock.

A high-quality scaffolding safety training course will cover all these risks and more. It will give you a clear understanding of major risks, how to identify them and how to protect yourself — and — others from them.

OSHA Scaffold Training Requirements and Certifications

Federal regulators require any employee who works on scaffolds to receive instruction on how to use them safely. A basic scaffold safety awareness class should include how to ascend and descend the scaffold, how to work with materials on the structure, dangers such as falling objects or electrical hazards and how to protect against those risks.

Because there are so many different job applications for scaffolding, the exact instruction will depend on the work being done and the risks involved. Beyond the basics, students may choose scaffold competent person training to help protect others.

You may be required to take a scaffold user refresher course if you have spent some time away from the job as well. You can discuss your need for instruction with your foreman or employer if you aren't sure how much education you need.

Scaffold Safety Awareness and Competent Person Training

Your specific need for supported scaffold training may depend on your role and even where you live. For most workers, a simple Scaffolds Certificate course or a Supported Scaffolding Safety in Industrial and Construction Environments course may be enough.

If you are interested in becoming a leader on your jobsite, you might also be interested in becoming a competent person in scaffold erection and inspection. The right coursework can teach you the fundamentals of serving as an OSHA-compliant competent person — including how to identify, control and correct scaffold hazards in the workplace.

If you are working in construction in New York City, you will need to complete Site Safety Training (SST) to meet the requirements of Local Law 196. A 4-Hour Supported Scaffold User & Refresher course would help you meet your hourly instruction requirements while teaching you the principles of supported scaffolding training. Alternatively, you could also choose a 1-Hour Suspended Scaffold training course.

As part of the Outreach Training program, the Department of Labor offers 10-Hour and 30-Hour OSHA cards to construction employees. These general safety programs cover a wide range of topics, including several modules that apply to the use of scaffolds like fall hazards, struck-by hazards, personal protective equipment (PPE) and more.

Even if you are not required by your employer to hold an OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 card, these programs are helpful for anyone working in construction trades.

Why Choose Us?

OSHA Education Center is a recognized leader in scaffold training and construction safety courses. We offer instruction and certifications for the secure use of scaffolding. All our scaffold training programs are available 100% online, accessible 24/7 from any internet-connected device.

We understand the importance of your time. That's why each course is designed to make scaffold safety awareness and competent person training simple and convenient, allowing you to learn at your own pace.

Whether you're pursuing a deeper understanding of OSHA scaffold training requirements and certifications or honing your existing skills, this platform is tailored to meet your needs effectively.

Check out our large course catalog for training on additional topics like fall protection and materials handling. No matter what you might encounter on the job, we have a course that covers it. That's part of the reason so many workers and employers rely on us for their online safety and compliance needs.

Benefits of learning with OSHA Education Center include:

• 100% online courses accessible from any device with an internet connection
• Automatic progress saving so you never lose your work
• 24/7 access to course materials
• Video, audio narration and colorful graphics to keep you engaged
• Immediate certificate downloads upon completion

You can begin your education right now. Sign up today to get started!