Scaffolding fall protection system

Abstract

A scaffold system includes a scaffold frame, supporting one or more platforms. The scaffold system includes a fall protection system including a safety cable supported above the platform by safety cable supports. End supports include an enclosed end attachment while intermediate supports have guide rings that retain the cable but allow for insertion without threading the cable through the rings. Each worker is attached to the safety cable which can slide along the cable and between the guide rings of the intermediate safety cable supports. The workers arrest system generally includes a harness and a deceleration device. The cable supports are removably mounted to the frame with pin type connectors. A cover may be used for some applications and inclement weather with the safety cable supports passing through a seam in the cover or with the cover extending above and over the fall protection system.

1 . A scaffold system comprising:
 a scaffold frame;   a platform supported by the scaffold frame;   a plurality of spaced apart line supports mounted to the scaffold frame and extending upward from the scaffold frame, each support defining a retainer at an upper end of the support; and   a fall protection line attached at each end to the scaffold frame and passing through the retainers and supported by the line supports spaced above the platform and the scaffold frame.   
   
   
       2 . A scaffold system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one line support comprises a tube portion extending horizontally. 
   
   
       3 . A scaffold system according to  claim 1 , wherein the fall protection line extends through the tube portions of the line supports. 
   
   
       4 . A scaffold system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a worker life line attached to a worker and to the fall protection line. 
   
   
       5 . A scaffold system according to  claim 4 , wherein the worker life line slidably attaches to the fall protection line. 
   
   
       6 . A scaffold system according to  claim 1 , wherein the fall protection line comprises aircraft carrier grade cable having a diameter of at least three-eighths of one inch. 
   
   
       7 . A scaffold system according to  claim 1 , wherein the line supports are removably mounted to the scaffold frame. 
   
   
       8 . A scaffold system according to  claim 7 , wherein the line supports comprise pin type connectors. 
   
   
       9 . A scaffold system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cover extending over the scaffold system and over the fall protection line and fall protection line supports. 
   
   
       10 . A scaffold system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cover extending over the scaffold frame, wherein the cover defines a seam and wherein the fall protection line supports extend up through the seam. 
   
   
       11 . A scaffold system according to  claim 10 , wherein the cover comprises a plurality of tarps connected along horizontal edges. 
   
   
       12 . A scaffold system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the line supports comprises arcing elements spaced apart along the safety line and having partially overlapping profiles configured for receiving and retaining the safety line. 
   
   
       13 . A method of erecting a scaffold, comprising:
 erecting a scaffold frame to a first height;   attaching fall protection line supports to the scaffold frame, wherein each of the fall protection line supports comprise a retainer at an upper end of the support;   attaching a fall protection line to the scaffold frame and passing the fall protection line through the retainers.   
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13 , further comprising attaching a life line to workers on the scaffold. 
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 14 , further comprising placing a platform on the scaffold frame at a first level. 
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising placing a cover over the scaffold frame. 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 erecting the frame to a second height above the first height;   attaching the fall protection line supports to the scaffold frame extending above the second height;   attaching the fall protection line to the scaffold frame and passing the fall protection line through the retainers above the second height;   placing a platform on the scaffold frame at a second level above the first level.   
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 17 , further comprising attaching a life line to workers on the scaffold. 
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 18 , further comprising placing a cover over the scaffold frame. 
   
   
       20 . A scaffold safety system for a scaffold system having a scaffold frame and a platform, the safety system comprising:
 at least one spaced apart end line support mounted to the scaffold frame and extending upward from the scaffold frame, each end line support defining a horizontally extending tube portion at an upper end of the support;   at least one intermediate line support mounted to the scaffold frame and extending upward from the scaffold frame, each intermediate line support comprising arcing elements spaced apart along the safety line and having partially overlapping profiles configured for receiving and retaining the safety line;   a fall protection line attached at each end to the scaffold frame and passing through the tube portions and supported by the fall protection line supports spaced above the platform and the scaffold frame; and   a worker safety line attached to a worker and slidably attached to the fall protection line.   
   
   
       21 . A scaffold system according to  claim 20 , wherein the line supports are removably mounted to the scaffold frame. 
   
   
       22 . A scaffold system comprising:
 a scaffold frame;   a platform supported by the scaffold frame;   a plurality of spaced apart line supports removably mounted to the scaffold frame and extending upward from the scaffold frame, each support defining a horizontally extending tube portion at an upper end of the support;   a fall protection line attached at each end to the scaffold frame and passing through the tube portions and supported by the fall protection line supports spaced above the platform and the scaffold frame; and   a worker safety line attached to a worker and slidably attached to the fall protection line.   
   
   
       23 . A scaffold system according to  claim 22 , wherein the line supports comprise pin type connectors. 
   
   
       24 . A scaffold system according to  claim 22 , further comprising a cover extending over the scaffold system and over the fall protection line and fall protection line supports. 
   
   
       25 . A scaffold system according to  claim 22 , further comprising a cover extending over the scaffold frame, wherein the cover defines a seam and wherein the fall protection line supports extend up through the seam. 
   
   
       26 . A scaffold system according to  claim 22 , comprising a plurality of platforms at a plurality of different heights. 
   
   
       27 . A scaffold system according to  claim 26 , wherein the each platform includes an associated fall protection line. 
   
   
       28 . A scaffold system according to  claim 27 , further comprising a cover extending over the scaffold frame.