. . . But not in my Backyard

Scaffolding vs fences

   Sunday, 23 January 2005  Wooden fences don't stand a chance when a 30+ foot metal scaffold comes thundering down to the ground.

   It was just a matter of time before the scaffolding would come crashing through the fence. Neglect, disregard for the residents and laziness dictates that a construction accident will happen at some point in time. It happened this Saturday to the home of Gwendol and Ida Echols and was still there the following Friday, six days later.

A narrrow miss for the Echols home with these tall towers of metal scaffolding. It's a good thing their grandson wasn't playing in the backyard.

   When the scaffolding was moved away from the new buildings being constructed by Drinkard Development, they were left intact and freestanding next to the fence north of Gwendol and Ida Echols' home. Who would have thought that the cold north wind would force one of the structures through the fence and into the yard of the Echols. It was lucky that no one, especially their grandson, was in the backyard at the time of the incident. See the following photos.

   OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) designates under SCAFFOLDING - §1926.451(1) General Requirements that "The poles, legs, or uprights of scaffolds shall be plumb, and securely and rigidly braced to prevent swaying and displacement." It also states that "The entire scaffold shall be tied to and securely braced against the building at intervals not to exceed 30 feet horizontally and 26 feet vertically." The scaffolding was moved to the south away from the building and left swaying in the wind. OSHA even requires for mobile scaffolds that "When free-standing mobile scaffold towers are used, the height shall not exceed four times the minimum base dimension." This was certainly not the case as these were not even mobile and the height was many times more than four times the minimum base dimension and posed a definite threat to anyone walking within the fall zone of the structures.

In this closeup viewing through the gaping hole, you can see that the base of the scaffolding towers are simply resting on a piece of wood laying on the ground. This disregard for the neighboring home must be addressed before someone is hurt and even more property destroyed.

   There have been many infractions in the past toward the resident's safety as well as that of the workers during this construction. When is the City of Cullman and Drinkard Development going to assume the responsibility of ensuring our safety as the Mayor told us early on? We have seen clear indication that we as a residential neighborhood are less important than the tax base this construction will create. Someone of responsibility needs to step up to the plate and oversee that the residents, who were forced into this predicament, are protected during and after the building of the theater and shopping center we didn't even want.

   Following are some of OSHA regulations pertaining to scaffolds in general you may not have been aware of:

1910.28(a)(1)

Scaffolds shall be furnished and erected in accordance with this standard for persons engaged in work that cannot be done safely from the ground or from solid construction, except that ladders used for such work shall conform to 1910.25 and 1910.26.

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)(26)

Scaffolds shall be secured to permanent structures, through use of anchor bolts, reveal bolts, or other equivalent means. Window cleaners' anchor bolts shall not be used.

1910.28(b)(3)

Independent pole scaffolds shall be set as near to the wall of the building as practicable.

1910.28(b)(4)

All pole scaffolds shall be securely guyed or tied to the building or structure. Where the height or length exceeds 25 feet, the scaffold shall be secured at intervals not greater than 25 feet vertically and horizontally.

A better view of what looms above the Echols heads every day with the one tower that fell.

1910.28(c)(6)

All tube and coupler scaffolds shall be erected by competent and experienced personnel.

1910.28(c)(7)

Posts shall be accurately spaced, erected on suitable bases, and maintained plumb.

1910.28(c)(8)

Runners shall be erected along the length of the scaffold located on both the inside and the outside posts at even height. Runners shall be interlocked to form continuous lengths and coupled to each post. The bottom runners shall be located as close to the base as possible. Runners shall be placed not more than 6 feet 6 inches on centers.

1910.28(c)(11)

Cross bracing shall be installed across the width of the scaffold at least every third set of posts horizontally and every fourth runner vertically. Such bracing shall extend diagonally from the inner and outer runners upward to the next outer and inner runners.

1910.28(c)(13)

The entire scaffold shall be tied to and securely braced against the building at intervals not to exceed 30 feet horizontally and 26 feet vertically.

More than forty-eight hours later the wreckage was still laying untouched in Gwendol and Ida's yard. Garbage from when they initially built the fence still lays on the ground. Developer, Mr. Roy Drinkard told me that he considered himself as one of our neighbors. This isn't the way I would treat any neighbor nor I'm sure would he want anyone to litter his yard with leftover wood, nails, yellow plastic and hamburger wrappers found all around this project.

1910.28(d)(4)

Scaffold legs shall be set on adjustable bases or plain bases placed on mud sills or other foundations adequate to support the maximum intended load.

1910.28(d)(9)

To prevent movement, the scaffold shall be secured to the building or structure at intervals not to exceed 30 feet horizontally and 26 feet vertically.

1910.28(d)(13)

Frames and accessories for scaffolds shall be maintained in good repair and every defect, unsafe condition, or noncompliance with this section shall be immediately corrected before further use of the scaffold. Any broken, bent, excessively rusted, altered, or otherwise structurally damaged frames or accessories shall not be used.

1910.28(h)(10)

Each scaffold shall be installed or relocated in accordance with designs and instructions of a registered professional engineer, and such installation or relocation shall be supervised by a competent designated person.

   What is it going to take to get the attention needed to provide for the residents of Dialsdale and Adelsheim's safety much less their inconvenience? Promises made, promises broken, standards to be held to.

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