Without adequate safety measures, working on scaffolding can be dangerous. Power lines passing near scaffolds pose additional dangers because they expose workers to electrical hazards. Power lines near scaffoldings should always be de-energized before workers get on the scaffolds.
A recently reported incident:
On Saturday, July 15, while driving through Prospect Heights, Ill., OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officer Gary Weil of OSHA’s Chicago North Area Office spotted three employees at a construction site performing masonry work from tubular-welded frame scaffolding.
Weil saw they were exposed to fall hazards and stopped to initiate an inspection. He discovered a “hot” power line was within 12 inches of the scaffolding and asked the crew’s foreman to remove the employees so the line could be de-energized by the local power company.
The inspection stems from an OSHA local emphasis program targeting falls hazards in construction.
Related scaffolding and electrical safety training programs
Scaffolding Safety Training
Electrical Safety Training
Other resources
OSHA Supported Scaffolding Quick Card – English
OSHA Supported Scaffolding Quick Card – Spanish