• What should you do when working on a suspended platform?
• What should you not do?

What should you do when working on a suspended platform?

• Ensure that platform is installed and maintained according to job requirements, safety regulations, standards and the manufacturer's specifications.
• Inspect all equipment before erecting and before each shift.
• Use a separate safety harness attached to an independent life line for each worker. Maintain lanyard attachment at highest point possible.
• Ensure that suspended platform roof beams and attachments are secure.
• Ensure that the roof or parapet wall is structurally sound to support either outriggers or cornice hooks.
• Check for kinked or damaged ropes.
• Secure all ropes at anchor ends.
• Ensure that all safety equipment, stops, override switches and brakes function properly.
• Prevent contact between welding or grinding equipment and wire safety or suspension ropes.
• Secure hand tools to the platform.
• Ensure that power source is secured and properly grounded.
• Secure platform when not in use.
• Ensure that guardrails and toe boards are in place.
• Extend suspension ropes completely to the ground or terminate with wire rope clips to prevent the stage from running off the end of the ropes.
• Test by raising the fully loaded platform a few feet off the ground before going aloft.

What should you not do?

• Do not exceed platform load capacity.
• Do not enter or leave the platform other than at ground level or at other safe access points.
• Do not allow electric cables or connections to lie in gutters or other areas where water can collect.
• Do not work near exposed electrical circuits or equipment.
• Do not join platforms unless they are designed for this purpose.
• Do not use damaged or defective equipment.
• Do not alter, substitute or remove components of platform.
• Do not use life line for raising or lowering tools or materials.
• Do not move work platform unless all workers on it are protected by individual safety belts and lines.

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Document last updated on October 1, 2012

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