What is scaffolding safety training?
Scaffolding safety training involves teaching workers how to protect themselves when around any type of scaffolding. Training makes certain your workplace complies with OSHA, the acronym for Occupational Safety and Health Administration, rules and regulations. A number of scaffolding applications come into play when discussing safety training. Applications include supported, suspended and mast-supported platforms. Examples of mast-supported platforms include lifts, hoists and elevators.
Scaffolding safety training covers a number of areas, all intended to protect your workers and your workplace. Some of the topics include fall protection, safety affecting areas surrounding the scaffold, how to protect your body while maneuvering a scaffold of any type, and ways to properly secure scaffolds.
Who provides scaffolding safety training?
A variety of professional scaffolding engineering companies and specially trained engineers offer consulting services that can help you with this matter. Trained professionals need to take, and pass, an OSHA examination. Once passing this exam, he or she receives a certification to qualify as meeting the stringent requirements set forth by OSHA.
Training needs to be given by a highly trained and OSHA-certified individual known as a “competent person.” A “competent person” is defined as a specially trained individual who can spot potential and existing hazards throughout your work site. This person is legally authorized to initiate prompt measures to correct areas of concern. Every workplace that uses any type of scaffold must abide by these rules and regulations to avoid penalties and other punitive measures.
Where do I get scaffolding safety training?
You have two choices for receiving scaffolding safety training. You can enter into a contract with a professional scaffold engineering company whereby one of its specially trained and OSHA-certified engineers comes to your work place. This individual could conduct on-site trainings in your meeting room, factory site or other workplace area you find appropriate.
Your other option is having your staff partake in any number of online training programs. Go online and search for “online scaffolding training courses.” Check references before making a final decision. Online educational programs fit in perfectly with employees who hold down full-time jobs while also juggling family life. Benefits involve no travel, convenience, interactive courses and more control over studies.
Who needs scaffolding safety training?
OSHA rules and regulations state that any business that has workers using a scaffold must provide scaffolding safety training for each of these employees. Before you start thinking that OSHA regulations are a waste of time, you need to realize that they are very useful. They protect not only you and your workplace, but your employees. Any employee taking apart, assembling, moving, repairing, maintaining, operating and/or inspecting scaffolds must receive safety training. Training needs to be given by a OSHA-certified “competent person.” Also, if your scaffold or safety equipment changes, your workers using those scaffolds must be retrained in order to comply with OSHA requirements.
Scaffolding safety training is a serious issue that takes time, consideration and effort on your part. Making certain your workforce stays safe, informed and productive can only benefit your company.
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Wayne Hemrick is familiar with information about scaffolding and safety training. Wayne refers to DH Glabe with interested in information on this topic.