I’m restoring an old 4 story church for a developer who bought it for a song and on a whim too I might add. He is making it into a private music /recording studio for him and his buddies, the likes of which apparently include Paul Allen and other local high octane music luminaries. Because it’s old and decrepit it has a lot of rotted window sills and damaged custom exterior trim (see attachment). I am able to reach the work on the south and the north side from scaffolding just fine but on the west side there is a high voltage power line +/- 10 feet from the building so we can’t run scaffolding within the 10′ clear space of the wire. The owners idea is to run the scaffolding just up to and outside of the 10′ clearspace then do the work, such as carry 4×8 sheets of 3/4 ply, 15′ up on an extension ladder off the 45′ scaffolding tower. No freakin way Jose’!!!!
After I told him that even if I was stupid enough to to choose to work off a ladder on top of old bouncy 2x plank scaffolding there are ooddles of OSHA and WISHA rules that says you can’t do that either. He’s dragging his feet to do the right thing which is to have City Light re route the wire because for one it costs a bundle and 2, it is a three month waiting line and we’re approaching the rainy season here in Seattle and he’s paying for the scaffolding rental.
So…… I’ve been unsuccessfully scouring the interweb here for an OSHA/WISHA paragraph/chapter/number so I can make a copy and show him the rules to back me up why I’m not willing to do it his way. He’s contracturally responsible for the scaffolding. Can anybody help me out here? Got a couple a brothers lives on the line here campers……..
thanks
BjR
Edited 7/28/2008 9:45 pm ET by BjR
Replies
BjR
What about contacting the utility company and see what they say.
I have seen boots put over the wires (not really a boot but a long rubber wrap)
If they can protect the wires and give you the details of how the wire is protected and what you can do, maybe it will give you the space you need to do your work.
I would want to have some assurances that the protection is adequate but I would not know how to ask for that.
i think there is a reason they dont want scaffolding within 10' so I would be real excited to be working on the other 3 sides.
good luck
From:
JeffinPA <!----><!---->
10:00 pm
To:
BjR <!----><!---->
(2 of 5)
107622.2 in reply to 107622.1
BjR
What about contacting the utility company and see what they say. I have...that's where the 3 month leadtime info came from with a phone conversation with a receptionist. I'm going to try to go around her and ask for a site visit from somebody higher up.
I have seen boots put over the wires (not really a boot but a long rubber wrap)
If they can protect the wires and give you the details of how the wire is protected and what you can do, maybe it will give you the space you need to do your work.
I would want to have some assurances that the protection is adequate but I would not know how to ask for that. I have had the power company come out for a site visit for another, different project and they did approve of doing just that. Actually it was about a half a mile from this project i'm on now and I wouldn't be surprised if it's not the same wires. The scafolding was actually closer on that one than it is this time and they approved splitting some 4" PVC pipe and installing it over the wires then covering that with a heavy rubber blanket and I recall that City Light did that too. I'm hoping to get a site visit from a City Light official who will make the call. I'm thinking/hoping the official will make the developer do the right thing and schedule for a re-route of the wires for 3 months down the road. I think the reason they allowed it a couple of years ago is because it was a project for a cash strapped homeless shelter and this project is for a wealthy developers plaything.
i think there is a reason they dont want scaffolding within 10' so I would be real excited to be working on the other 3 sides. I aggree.....
good luck
OSHA has a training and advising side of the shop, not just the enforcement branch. Try calling and asking them for the safest way to accomplish what you have to do.
This web page has links to the contacts:
http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/Assistance/Default.asp
Edited 7/28/2008 10:09 pm ET by Jigs-n-fixtures
BjR
Once you've solved the electrical issue, I personally would look at renting a manlift instead of scaffolding..
three real reasons..
productivity .. climbing up and down scaffolding wears people out. You often have to carry your tools up in a trip or two the material up in a number of trips and the old material down in various trips.. Whereas with a manlift or telehandler with work platform everything goes up with a simple push of a button.
Safety,
When carrying material you have one hand used to carry the material and one hand for the climb. That violates the three point rule.
On scaffolding there is no safety rail as there is on manlifts or telehandlers with work platforms..
Cost
If you can reduce the labor cost of setting up tearing down scaffolding plus doing the job massively quicker you may well offset the rental costs involved..
From:
frenchy <!----><!---->
10:41 pm
To:
BjR <!----><!---->
(4 of 7)
107622.4 in reply to 107622.1
BjR
Once you've solved the electrical issue, I personally would look at renting a manlift instead of scaffolding..
three real reasons..
productivity .. climbing up and down scaffolding wears people out. You often have to carry your tools up in a trip or two the material up in a number of trips and the old material down in various trips.. Whereas with a manlift or telehandler with work platform everything goes up with a simple push of a button.
Safety,
When carrying material you have one hand used to carry the material and one hand for the climb. That violates the three point rule.
On scaffolding there is no safety rail as there is on manlifts or telehandlers with work platforms..
Cost
If you can reduce the labor cost of setting up tearing down scaffolding plus doing the job massively quicker you may well offset the rental costs involved..
The ground on the west side of the building is too sloped to safely run a manlift or a JLG.
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BjR,
What you are looking for is CFR 1926.451 (f) (6).
This is the only thing I can ever add to this board, I am a safety man for an oil company. I just like to read all the advice you guys have.
From:
eddiec9 <!----><!---->
10:47 pm
To:
BjR <!----><!---->
(5 of 8)
107622.5 in reply to 107622.1
BjR,
What you are looking for is CFR 1926.451 (f) (6).
This is the only thing I can ever add to this board, I am a safety man for an oil company. I just like to read all the advice you guys have.
Got a link to that code number?
Google is your friend.
Say it with me, "Google is your friend."
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=10752
"Exception to paragraph (f)(6): Scaffolds and materials may be closer to power lines than specified above where such clearance is necessary for performance of work, and only after the utility company, or electrical system operator, has been notified of the need to work closer and the utility company, or electrical system operator, has deenergized the lines, relocated the lines, or installed protective coverings to prevent accidental contact with the lines."
Impossible is an opinion.
Edited 7/29/2008 1:46 am by Engineerguy
BjR,
I tell the crew all the time we're not gonna do something unsafe just to save some rich C Sucker some money.
Local PoCo use to put boots on for us but won't do it anymore. Don't know why.
Here's some info http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/91-110.html
KK