"Exceeding Expectations in Quality and Service"
FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)
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"Exceeding Expectations in Quality and Service"
FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) |
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Frequently Asked Questions about Inspection Requirements for permanently installed Exterior Building Maintenance (EBM) systems
Click on one of the questions below. If your question doesn't appear here, let us know by contacting info@towersafetyservices.com or use our convenient Contact Information. What is considered Exterior Building Maintenance? Federal Codes
define Building Maintenance as such: (d) ... "Building maintenance" means operations such as window cleaning, caulking, metal polishing, re-glazing, and general maintenance on building surfaces. What is the difference between the following terms: Pre-Use, Pre-Wash, Monthly, 30-Day and Periodic Inspections? Essentially,
all of the above terms refer to an inspection that must be performed before each
use of the system. Daily inspections by the end-users are also required until
(generally) 30 days from the last inspection. At that time another
“qualified” Pre-Use inspection must be performed. Annual
Inspections generally include a Pre-Use inspection. The Annual Inspection
is more in-depth
and covers a wider scope of inspection. For
more information, see our Inspection Requirement Page. For
more information about
Tower’s
inspection services, click here. When is it required by OSHA that a Pre-Use (or maintenance) inspection be performed? Regulations
require that permanently installed suspended scaffolds be inspected as per the
manufacturer’s specifications for inspection and maintenance. California
further requires a qualified technician perform an inspection every thirty days
while in use, and prior to each use if the system has been idle for thirty days,
or longer, from the date of last inspection. For more information, see our Inspection Requirement Page. For more information about Tower’s inspection services, click here. Is
it necessary to have an additional Pre-Use Inspection performed, after initial
use and before using again, during an already certified 30-day use period?
In California, GISO Title 8, Article 6, Section 3296 (b) (3) dictates that working platforms and components should be visually inspected for defects, 1) before each use, and 2) after any event which could affect structural integrity. What
is required to be performed at an Annual (or Periodic) Inspection?
Inspections should follow pre-determined guidelines. When these guidelines are unavailable from the equipment manufacturer, the Inspector and his engineering team must develop them prior to the inspection. For more information, see our Inspection Requirement Page. Is there a time-sensitive requirement for the re-shackling of suspension wire-ropes?Federal OSHA requires the following: (g)(5)
"Suspension wire rope
maintenance, inspection and replacement." ..1910.66(g)(5)(i)
(g)(5)(i)
Suspension wire rope shall be
maintained and used in accordance with procedures recommended by the wire rope
manufacturer. (g)(5)(ii)
Suspension wire rope shall be
inspected by a competent person for visible defects and gross damage to the rope
before every use and after each occurrence which might affect the wire rope's
integrity. (g)(5)(iii)
A thorough inspection of suspension wire ropes in service shall be made once a month. Suspension wire ropes that have been inactive for 30 days or longer shall have a thorough inspection before they are placed into service. These thorough inspections of suspension wire ropes shall be performed by a competent person. For the complete code, click here and follow the link. What
is an “OPOS”?
“OPOS” stands for Operating Procedures Outline Sheet. An OPOS graphically defines exactly how to use permanently installed exterior building maintenance equipment in every area of use. It must be custom designed for each different building, because the architectural features and access system can drastically vary from one building to another. In California, an OPOS is required documentation for any system that uses CDA‘s to access the exterior of the building. CDA stands for Controlled Descent Apparatus, also known as a Boatswain’s Chair or “Bo’ suns Chair”. AN OPOS is an informative legal document that should be made available to every potential user of the equipment. DOSH requires certain standards for this type of documentation. These requirements can be found in our California OPOS Requirement Supplement Page. My
building has only eyebolt tie-down anchors for supporting equipment or
personnel. Do these roof anchors
require regular inspections?
Yes. These support system components are required to be inspected once every 12 months. Also, workers using the supports are required to observe each anchor before each use. What
does SIT stand for? Or what is an SIT License? (California only)
SIT stands for Scaffold Inspection and Testing License. DOSH awards an SIT License only after review of the personal application of a Scaffold Industry professional surveyor that has applied. Provision of the license is based on the demonstrated overall history and industry experience of the applicant, as well as criteria concerning certified test equipment and apparatus. Finally, the professional surveyor must retain and report to, a California Licensed Professional Engineer to serve as an ”Engineer of Record”. How can I contact Tower Safety Services?
Click here for our Contact Information page.
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