For my research assignment I read up on ladder safety. Most falls and deaths from ladders happen from 10 feet or less. Always use the proper ladder for the proper job never short step yourself for this. Follow the safety directions, weight limits remember the 4 to 1 ratio. Never put your ladder on a soft or spongy surface or unleveled ground. Alway use proper PPE, fall arrest protection, always face the ladder when climbing and defending, also you can tie the ladder off. You as the inspector are responsible for the safety of your jobs.
Deck screws being used in attic access stair installation
Attic access stairs are very often installed with “deck screws”. These fasteners are not of sufficient strength for this type of sheer pressure. The manufacturer’s labels also state that “deck screws” should not be used, but they often still are. I personally have seen the catastrophic results that these screws can have when they fail. Only larger 16d or lag bolts are the recommended fasteners and I write up over half the homes I inspect for this deficiency. My home was constructed this way but I added the 16d nails to augment the installation. (manufacturer’s label in photo clearly states requirements)
**Aluminum wiring **
Aluminum wiring is a serious potential fire hazard if not remedied appropriately. The articles noted that there are few true permanent repairs and warning customers of this is paramount to protecting them and ourselves. Aluminum wiring should always be recommended to be evaluated by a licensed electrician, especially one that is trained to remedy aluminum wiring issues. Often, electricians or ‘handymen’ will do makeshift remedies that they consider satisfactory but in fact have actually increased the risk. Aluminum connections are recommended by the CPSC to only be repaired by the permanent ‘crimping’ method called copalum. Unfortunately the copalum process is very expensive and not widely used by electricians. Often repairs have been made to homes and without a complete evaluation, beyond the scope of a home inspector, it is impossible to know the extent and properness of these repairs and the buyer must be referred to have property checked thoroughly by an electrician.
After pulling down the attic access stairs look at the way it was installed. many times the attic hatch will be installed or fastened with improper nails or screws. Builders often use staples, drywall or deck screws rather than the standard 16d penny nails or ¼-inch by 3-inch lag screws. These staples,nails and screws that are intended for other purposes may have reduced shear strength and they may not support pull-down ladders and the load of a person on the stairs.
Manufacturer of the hatches require 16d nails or lag screws to be used for attachments for safety reasons. As seen in the photo
The 2006 International Residential Code (IRC) Requires that AFCIs be installed on all 120-volt,single phase,15-20 amp. branch circuits supplying outlets to bedrooms, livingroom, dens, hallways and closets.
A: Section 535.229(a) of the standards of practice requires inspectors to report as deficient the absence or failure of operation of AFCIs in all houses, not just those built after a certain year, with an exception to the requirement to test them in cases in which the inspector reasonably believes that testing them may result in damage to the property. While TREC recognizes that the building codes have not always required AFCIs, the agency believes that it is important for consumers to be made aware of these safety devices when they are not present and functioning in a home as a consumer-protection issue.
Recently, I did an inspection on an older home that had a well built, steep stairway down to the basement area which had been converted into a bedroom. The problem was that no handrails were provided. For ascending or descending a stairway, a continuous handrail along the side should be furnished for support. For improved safety, it was recommended that a railing be provided for the stairway.
Reading and Writing Assignment:
Chimney Inspection: From the Library:
Masonry chimneys are usually free-standing and constructed in such a way that they provide no support to, nor receive support from, the structural frame. Footings should extend below the frost line and at least 6 in. beyond the sides. Foundations for a chimney, especially when located on an outside wall, may be combined with those used for the building structure. Typical maintenance is recommended by checking for weak mortar joints, visible tilting or separation from the building. Any gap should be frequently measured to monitor weather it is increasing in size. Accidents caused by their collapse can lead to death. If any structural damage is visible note deficiencies and recommend evaluation & repairs by a licensed professional.
Workers will be placing exterior grade furniture on a deck attached to the second level of a two story home with a walkout basement. The deck where the work will occur is approximately 10 feet above a concrete patio. The installed railing system is a continuous system around all open sides, with no floor opening present. The railing is 42 inches in height, and built to withstand minimum forces of 200 foot pounds.
Workers will be placing exterior furniture around a deck surface that is approximately 10 above a concrete patio. The deck is attached to the house on one side, and a continuous railing system encloses the remaining 3 sides. The railing system is 42 inches in height, and is built to withstand a minimum force of 200 foot pounds.
After reviewing an article of garage inspections, I was reminded to pay particular attention to the gussets and gangnail connections on all trusses. Improperly installed or modified connections will dramatically reduce the strength and weight load abilities of the trusses, and are often passed over too quickly during inspections.
The following images are a pop top in process at a residential property. In the first image, no guards or temporary guards were installed on either of the flights up to the upper level finished spaces under construction. Even though the treads were wide, at minimum, temporary guards should have been installed. In the second image, no guards were installed at the upper level porch landing on either end or front area. Guards should be installed in this area until a permanent railing can be installed
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The article I read was Fall Arrest Systems. Fall Arrest Systems provide protection from falls for roof workers. Fall Arrest Systems reduce the likelihood of falls or deaths of the workers, reduce the need for outside railings or scaffolding and reduce the time required for construction or repairs. OSHA requires some form of fall arrest/protection systems where workers could fall 6 feet or more, to include a safety net, guardrail or fall arrest system of some kind.
These are photos of a fall arrest harness and lanyard that is used with a man-cage that attaches to a fork-lift.
The cage slips over the two forks and is chained to the fork carriage. The entry gate is locked in the closed position and has to be manually lifted to open.The lanyards connect to the cage and the harness. The system is as portable as the forklift, so it is very versatile.
Fall arrest protection – these systems actually help users by decreasing any likelihood of injury or death due to a fall and let users concentrate on the job at hand, and not be distracted about worrying about avoiding a fall. Using fall arrest protection can help reduce the need for other fall prevention equipment, to let the user not have to work around this other equipment that can get in the way of the job.
I found the concept of the Rojen Roof Safety Pole intriguing, but was unable to find out any more information about it, and where it is allowed for the workplace, other than Australia and New Zealand.
This scaffold is better than most I see with small contractors.The planks are scaffold rated,sides and braces are in good condition.
The scaffold should be attached to the structure, needs safety rails,and a more stable footing on the downslope.
The scaffold should be attached to the structure, needs safety rails,and a more stable footing on the downslope.
ARTICLE:Scaffold Inspection.
This article details the pertinent safety considerations used when building or using scaffolds. It has a good illustration showing:
Planking
Guardrails
Toe-boards
Cross-braces
Base-plate, levelers, mudsills
Access
this is just a few things i use for being safe on the job,i know there not systems or components but thes course is about safty.
Didn’t really read anything from the form articles, all i want to say is to all my fellow inspectors is be safe and be aware of your surroundings, never know what could happen.
As usual Ben has done a stellar job in keeping us educated, professional, and well informed. He has brought our industry a long way from the wild West days prior to state licensure here in Florida.
I am also pleased to report that I saw a number of these safety devices in action/practice and being used by over a hundred workers at a recent commercial construction site visit where I was called to assist with an unexpected medical emergency. This emergency occurred after a sky crane operator suddenly became ill and needed rescuing. During this site visit we learned that firemen and construction workers routinely have protective impact rated helmets with them, however the responding police officers did not. The officers were subsequently provided with visitor helmets by the safety officer, and the employee was subsequently rescued without any injury to themself or others, and medically cleared to return to work another day.
To complete this continuing education exercise, I have attached pictures of a patriotic hard hat.
As the photo shows this pile of scaffolding and ladders should be inspected prior to use and it would be a good idea to store equipment in a weatherproof area. Ladders ansd scaffolding with structural defects should be immediately removed from service, tagged, labeled or be lockedso they will no tbe used and repaired to original design criteria or rplaced.
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