Safety Training: It’s in American Scaffolding DNA

With the upcoming release of our 2022 catalog, American Scaffolding truly exhibits its leadership, displaying a full portfolio of scaffolding systems and safety equipment. Frame systems, suspended scaffolding, mast climbers, traction hoists/material hoists, and more deserve dedicated focus that will come in the months ahead.

What is common to all these systems, and is a service we take pride in, is the comprehensive training support we are able to offer our customers. All of our training is in accordance with guidelines and recommendations of Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Scaffold and Access Industry Association (SAIA) and Scaffolding, Shoring and Forming Institute, Inc. (SSFI). Our training encompasses Competent Person Training, as well as user training on most systems.

Competent Person Training

As American Scaffolding Safety Director, Kim Hoffa, relates, “At American Scaffolding, Competent Person training provides important classroom and hands-on training for everything involved in the proper erection, use, and dismantle of the specific types of systems. However, taking the Competent Person course does not automatically designate one as a CP. That designation comes from the employer of the individual, who by training, education and experience exhibit the characteristics of a Competent Person.” Along with being deemed a Competent Person, an organization should also consider if the individual meets the definition of “qualified.” This means one who by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated his/her ability to solve or resolve problems related to the subject matter, the work, or the project.

As detailed in our new brochure that will be available soon, Competent Person Training covers the following areas:

Suspended Scaffolding
Frame Scaffolding
System Scaffolding

Scaffolding Equipment User Training

When it comes to User Training, American Scaffolding offers courses for equipment from the following manufacturers:

Universal Systems Scaffolding
Bee Access / My-te Products
Altrex Modular Swing Stage
Vanguard Frame Scaffolds
Bisomac Hoist / Beta Max
Power Climber Hoist
Hi-Lo Climbers
Tractel Hoist
Hi-Tech Hoist

We provide user training on-site when a client purchases equipment, or simply requests training. Once a system has been erected, we cover areas including operations and daily inspections. Our training includes hands-on experience as well as discussion. Just some examples include the Altrex Modular swing stage and rigging system that may be used with either a Bisomac or a Tractel Hoist Motor. Yet another example would be how Universal Systems equipment is used with the Super Chute system to create the multi-story debris chutes.

Frame Scaffold Training

Following is a summary of some examples of training we provide for frame scaffolds:

Types of Scaffolds

Scaffolds are temporary elevated platforms used to support workers and/or their materials. There are several different types. Covers types, regulations governing scaffolds, components of, uses, safety, tips and tricks for installation, configurations, choosing the right scaffold type for the job and activities, scaffold loads, duration, and conditions.

Scaffold hazards

There are many risks associated with working at heights, especially when using scaffolds. You must be able to identify potential hazards and maintain constant safety awareness and comply with safety rules and regulations. Covers fall protection, fall hazards, unsafe access, struck by falling objects, electrocution, and scaffold collapse.

Foundations

For a scaffold to be stable it must be on a strong, stable foundation. Accidents involving scaffold collapse are due to inadequate foundations. This covers the intended load, regulations, foundation components, foundation preparation, ground surfaces, scaffolds near excavations, sloped foundations, and indoor floors.

Platforms

Platforms support workers and materials at elevated heights. They must be adequate and safe for the working conditions and type of work to be conducted. There are different types of platform units made from a variety of materials. You must be able to identify the appropriate type and style of platform for situation. This covers solid sawn wood planks, laminated scaffold planks, metal planks, scaffold decks, composite planks, calculating plank capacity, regulations governing platforms and platform hazards.

Guardrails and Toe boards

Guardrails are an important fall prevention measure, which is a barrier, normally consisting of an assembly of top rails, midrolls and posts, erected to prevent workers from falling to lower levels. A toe board is a barrier placed to prevent materials or tools from accidentally being kicked or knocked off the work platform to a lower level. This covers how to install, heights, load capacity, regulation, codes and standards, guardrail access, guardrail gates, falling object protection, screens, and barricades.

Ties and Guys

Guy wires typically take the place of ties when there is not adjacent structure, or the adjacent structure is not strong enough to support the ties. Guying provides stability and strength in the absence of ties. A tie is a device used between scaffold components and the building or structure to enhance lateral stability. This covers factors affecting scaffold stability, tension, compression, anchors, tie design and use, tie location, horizontal spacing.

Scaffolding Training Resources

Also, the links below provide some references for governing and industry resources on scaffolding training:

OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926
Subpart L-Scaffolds and Subpart M-Fall Protection

ANSI/ASSP – American National Standards Institute/American Society of Safety Professionals

A10.8-2019 Scaffolding Safety Requirements
https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/ASSE/ANSIASSPA102019?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-sbkjZ23-QIVE4dbCh0x6QBhEAAYASAAEgLs8PD_BwE

SAIA – Scaffold & Access Industry Association

https://www.saiaonline.org/trainingandeducation

SSFI – Scaffolding, Shoring & Forming Institute

https://www.saiaonline.org/ssfi

As mentioned above, American Scaffolding’s dedicated Safety Director is Kim Hoffa. You may have met Kim; she’s regularly out at job sites. Please call our office and ask for Kim any time safety questions or training needs in relations to scaffolding equipment arise in your organization. All of us at American Scaffolding are eager to help you make your worksites and projects as safe as possible and users are comfortable with the equipment they are using.