Scaffolds in Wind, Rain & Ice
Scaffolds are tall, light structures that catch the wind and become slippery in rain, snow and ice. Weather has caused scaffold collapses and many falls. A scaffold that was safe when it was erected can become dangerous after a storm, so weather has to be part of every scaffold plan.
- Construction
- Scaffolds
- Weather
What OSHA says
- Storms and high winds: work on or from scaffolds is prohibited during storms or high winds, unless a competent person determines it’s safe for employees to be on the scaffold and the workers are protected by a personal fall arrest system or wind screens (29 CFR 1926.451(f)(12)). Wind screens can only be used if the scaffold is secured against the forces they add.
- Slippery conditions: debris must be removed from platforms, and workers must not work on scaffolds covered with snow, ice or other slippery materials, except to remove them (1926.451(f)(13)).
- A competent person must inspect the scaffold before each work shift and after anything that could affect its stability, such as an event like a storm. See Scaffold Tags and Scaffold Basics.
OSHA doesn’t set a single wind speed for stopping work. Scaffold makers often give limits in their manuals, and many employers stop work at a set wind speed, such as when gusts get strong. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and your employer’s plan, and use a wind meter where one is provided.
Wind
- Wind pushes and pulls. It can tip a scaffold, rip it from the building or blow planks and materials off. Tall scaffolds and those covered with sheeting or signs catch the most wind.
- Tarps, shrink wrap and debris netting act like sails. Adding them greatly increases wind load. The scaffold must be designed, tied and braced for it, and tarps should be installed only after review. See Ties & Bracing.
- Check ties and bracing. Make sure ties to the structure are in place at the required spacing and haven’t loosened. Never remove ties during the work.
- Secure materials. Tie down planks, tools, sheeting and loose items, and keep material off the platform that can blow around or fall.
- Stop and come down when wind gets strong enough to threaten balance or push a worker off, or when a competent person decides to stop work.
- After high winds: inspect the scaffold completely before anyone goes back on. Look at ties, bracing, base plates, connections and planks.
Rain, snow and ice
- Clear the platform of snow, ice, mud and water before work, and treat it with sand or non-slip material. Clear ladders, stair towers and walkways too.
- Wear boots with good traction and gloves that grip. See Ice Cleats and Slips, Trips & Falls.
- Use fall protection where a fall hazard exists, as required (the standard calls for guardrails on scaffolds at 10 feet or more, or fall arrest as the rule requires). See Personal Fall Arrest Systems.
- Watch for loads from snow and ice. Heavy snow on platforms and on sheeting adds weight and can overload planks.
- Falling ice from the building above can strike workers. Barricade the area below and wear head protection.
- Frozen and thawing ground can change the footing under base plates and mudsills. Check them. See Frozen Ground & Winter Excavation.
- Keep electrical tools GFCI-protected and out of water. See GFCI.
Lightning
- Metal scaffolds are tall and conductive. Get down and go to shelter when thunder is heard (the 30-30 rule), and don’t return until 30 minutes after the last thunder. See Thunderstorms, Lightning & Hail.
- Allow enough time to climb down safely, and don’t wait until the storm is overhead.
Cold and heat
- Cold weather makes hands numb and slows reactions. Plan breaks and warm-up. See Cold Stress.
- Heat and sun make steel and planks hot and slippery with sweat. See Heat Illness.
Planning for weather
- Check the forecast daily. Set stop-work triggers, such as wind speed, lightning, ice or heavy rain, and communicate them to the crew. See Weather Planning.
- Before a storm, secure or remove planks, sheeting and equipment. Tie off loose parts and, on long shutdowns, close access to the scaffold.
- Make sure the competent person is available to inspect after storms.
- Keep suspended scaffolds, which are even more affected by wind, lowered and secured. See Suspended Scaffolds.
- Any worker can stop work if conditions are unsafe. See Safety Culture & Stop Work.
Scaffold weather checklist
- Forecast checked; stop-work triggers set for wind, lightning and ice
- Ties, bracing and base plates inspected by the competent person after any storm or freeze
- Platforms cleared of snow, ice, mud and loose material
- No tarps or sheeting unless the scaffold is designed and tied for it
- Planks and materials secured; area below barricaded
- Everyone knows when to come down and where to shelter
Standards & references
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