Do the strong backs of ICF bracing need to be fastened down to the slab? I have a situation where it presents a slight problem and if its not necessary that would be the easy solution.  The inside edge of the block sits in a 2 1/2 steel track so it can't move.  Thanks.

According to OSHA - Yes, it must be secured

That's all I am going to say!!!

No it's not necessary. 99% of bracing is never attached to the slab, it would only be necessary in high wind areas (coastal)
or 3-4 stories in a inland windy area. But, I'm not sure if your telling us a everything about your situation. If this helps at all from a ICF bracing manufacture and a ICF distributor that rents 30-50 sets 50-100 times a year we quite often lift a 8'8" set of strong backs 12" of the footing or deck to get onto the top course of a 8 block wall.

Dave

I saw a sign at a welding shop one day

"If you think OHSA is a little town in Wisconsin...you're in trouble"

Dave

I don't disagree with you, I am as guilty as the next installer for lifting braces, along with a few other 'non-compliant uses' to be innovative. But, I have heard horror stories of suppliers who rent bracing and have liability issues since the rentee did not install properly or the supplier didn't supply bolts for turnbuckles to strongbacks, didn't supply the handrail bracket, etc., etc.

Suppliers I know that rent the stuff out include the manufacturers instructions along with a HUGH disclaimer now.

Chris there is no requirements from OSHA to attach to the floor. For a quick quiz I'll prove it:
(1)At what working platform height is a safety rail required for fall protection?
(2) Does ICF bracing have to be OSHA approved?

Come on this will be fun.

Dave

Dave,

Here you go.

The standard requires fall protection at a 10 foot height above a lower level for employees. [1926.451(g)(1)]

Guardrail height — The height of the toprail for scaffolds manufactured and placed in service before January 1, 2000 can be between 36 inches (0.9 m) and 45 inches (1.2 m). The height of the toprail for scaffolds manufactured and placed in service after January 1, 2000 must be between 38 inches (0.97 m) and 45 inches (1.2 m). [1926.451(g)(4)(ii)] When the crosspoint of crossbracing is used as a toprail, it must be between 38 inches (0.97 m) and 48 inches (1.3 m) above the work platform. [1926.451(g)(4)(xv)] Midrails must be installed approximately halfway between the toprail and the platform surface. [1926.451(g)(4)(iv)] When a crosspoint of crossbracing is used as a midrail, it must be between 20 inches (0.5 m) and 30 inches (0.8 m) above the work platform. [1926.451(g)(4)(xv)]

1910.28(a)(2)

The footing or anchorage for scaffolds shall be sound, rigid, and capable of carrying the maximum intended load without settling or displacement. Unstable objects such as barrels, boxes, loose brick, or concrete blocks shall not be used to support scaffolds or planks.

<!-- 1910.28(a)(3) -->

OSHA Glossary

Scaffold: Any temporary elevated platform (supported or suspended) and its supporting structure (including points of anchorage), used for supporting employees or materials or both.

Self-contained adjustable scaffold: A combination supported and suspension scaffold consisting of an adjustable platform(s) mounted on an independent supporting frame(s) not a part of the object being worked on, and which is equipped with a means to permit the raising and lowering of the platform(s). Such systems include rolling roof rigs, rolling outrigger systems, and some masons' adjustable supported scaffolds.

Shore scaffold: A supported scaffold placed against a building or structure and held in place with props.


So according to the OSHA web site answer 1.  10 feet.  Answer 2. after reading the definitions of scaffolding I say yes. 

Do I win a prize???  You are correct Dave this is fun.  In my state OSHA does not apply because we have a seperate state agengy called WISHA that does the same job as OSHA but their rules are typically more stringent.

ICF Contractor

<!-- 1910.28(b)(16) -->

I'll add a third quiz question:
3. What is the minimum width of the catwalk on the bracing?

People should know that state requirements are often far more rigid than OSHA's. For example here in Washington, WISHA requires guardrails for any platform above 4 feet. (not 6 or 10)

I have to follow Cal-OSHA - Safety Rail required once your feet exceed 6'6", pinning the bottom is a 'grey' area...if the inspector wants you...guess what, there is a hole on there for a fastener, get one in and scaffold planks must be 2 wide on the scaffolding, now, do I 'push' a rule or three? Of course, but I don't encourage it.

How do I know this? I had a build 2 years ago, builder shows up while I was not on site, gets up on MY scaffold and the dummy he was couldn't reach out where he wanted, hooks his hammer on the top rebar, reaches out...rebar slips out of the plastic web (no kidding) he falls and breaks (compound fracture) his leg in 2 spots. Now he tries to claim on my insurance because of incorrect scaffold set up. Went through the hoops with this (by the way my planks were at 6'4, I was okay) it boiled down to me threatening to bring in OSHA to review everything...he dropped it not wanting them crawling all over his site.


Merry Christmas everyone

Chris

ICF contractor: Yes you are correct on question (1) ten feet is the federal standard for scaffolding. Question (2) The answer is no. You can erect ICF bracing out of standard 2x4 construction that meets OSHA standards and there is nothing OSHA can say about it. It falls under pole scaffolding and is perfectly legal by OSHA standards. For example many people believed that the fall height was 6' ft which is correct under many other situations, but not with concrete construction under scaffolding rules.

Quantum: Question (3) 18" is the minimum width of the working platform to the best of my memory, or maybe it was 19" i.e. two 2x10.

Quantum and Chris J, are you sure your reading that correctly under scaffolding rules? I find that very hard to believe seeing Michigan has one of the toughest MIOSHA regulations that is stiffer than the feds.

Merry Xmas to all and a Happy ICF year!

Dave

Minimum catwalk is 18" Dave, at least in WA.

And indeed I was so shocked about platform height being only 4' before handrails are required, I had to triple-check. There're more requirements, but it's only for WA so what's the use here?

Dave,

You are correct I guess I misunderstood your question. I was thinking we were talking about rental type scaffolding.

And you are correct again in Washington the WISHA standard is you must provide fall protection when you are 10 feet or greater from the level below. Also in the State of Washington it depends on the type of scaffolding you erect but the walkway widths are from 12" to 18".

ICF Contractor

quantum,

You may want to look up the Washington Administrative Code (WAC)

WAC 296-874-20052

Provide fall protection for employees on scaffolds

You must

Protect each employee on a scaffold more than 10 ft. (3.1 m) above a lower level, from falling to the lower level, by providing either:
– A personal fall arrest system
or
– Guardrails.

Merry Christmas

ICF Contractor

icfcontractor, you may want to ask the area WISHA inspector. He will tell you otherwise.

I just can help it,( not trying to stir the pot) I would like to get the right answered.
Wall alignment systems fall in a different category than scaffolding. (This is what reach craft has told me.)
Ask the Wall alignment manufacture for the # on OSHA they use.
Its an engineered system.
Lets see if we can get this nailed down.
I know about OSHA and it is a small town Here in WIS. but the guys in the safety vest's that show up on site don't think thats funny.
Merry Christmas to all ....

Quantum: I would ask WISHA to show you the code reference in writing, I don't believe the code is less than 10' anywhere in the US.

Wolf: I think some one at Reechcraft has pulled your leg! I have sat down with MIOSHA and went threw all the rules. There is no other rule for ICF bracing and yes it falls under scaffolding. Michigan has more stringent rules than the feds them self and are known to be one of the toughest OSHA states.

The oddest rules are you can be 30' in the air on a aluminum OSHA pick working on siding and it doesn't have to have fall protection. Picks don't fall under the scaffold rule and it seams unfair that you couldn't put a pick on your alignment and fall under the same rule.

Dave

I have my insurance company send out an inspector once year to the job site (No, it's not a surprise, they give you 48 hours notice - how nice of them!!) among everything that he looks at, one is the ICF bracing system, he uses the regular masonary scaffold section of the Cal-OSHA reference manual for fall protection. Is it right or wrong? I have no idea, but, they are checking me for their risk assessment so I let him have his way.

Chris: I don't think that 99% of any construction jobs are OSHA compliant. There rules are most ridiculous. For example the OSHA compliant planking has to be used even if you are 6" inches off the ground.

I don't think I have ever seen OSHA planking on any residential job thus far including all the rentals we have sent out. I believe most installers think that the OSHA planking comes into affect at the 10' rule which is incorrect.

My long conversations with the OSHA officers have revealed these findings:

(1) OSHA will require proof of OSHA compliance only when and if there is an injury related to the job where the scaffolding
failed and there was a related injury.

(2) They will access the situation first as to whether the planking was OSHA compliant, and whether it was installed to their regulations ( appropriate laps etc.)

(3) If there was no obvious failure in the alignment/bracing it will not even be addressed.

As I have talked with many commercial ICF installers all across the country many have never been checked by OSHA on the alignment end, but all other potential violations with cords, tools, planking, planking laps, etc.

Last note to all: There is no such thing as "OSHA approved" OSHA is a government safety regulation that writes the rules for compliance. You can't get a item approved by them. They write the rules and you test your product to meet those rules independently and claim OSHA compliant. Take note that all those ladders from yesteryear said OSHA approved and now say meets or exceeds OSHA regulations.

Dave

"Not an OSHA specialist"

Dave...

You are absolutely right, no residential project adheres to OSHA specs unless there is an injury/fatality or in my case insurance inspection.

Believe it or not, I use OSHA planks...$ 22.00 for 16', again insurance co. expects it and I have it listed in my safety manual as the only approved plank that an employee can use, should an employee get hurt and I am outside the scope of the safety manual (which the insurance co. insists I have and keep on site and give a copy to each employee) it can be a nightmare, that being said, I promise you I work outside OSHA rules on occasion.

See photo...OSHA planks

Lets play a game now...count the violations...who's first?