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Commission presses DPW/DBI coordination after Market Street scaffolding collapse during storms
Summary
Commissioners pressed DBI to clarify roles after storms toppled scaffolding; DBI said permits for public‑way scaffolds are issued by DPW, OSHA oversees scaffolds over 36 feet, and DBI has instructed inspectors to remind contractors to secure scaffolds and provided outreach guidance.
A Market Street scaffold collapse that occurred during recent storms prompted commissioners on Jan. 18 to ask DBI how the city inspects and monitors scaffolding and whether permit and inspection responsibilities are clear between DBI and the Department of Public Works.
Deputy Director Dan Lowry said DBI has an administrative bulletin (AB 25) that requires safety permitting for large scaffolding and that scaffolding over three stories (about 36 feet) requires an OSHA permit; DPW issues public‑way scaffolding permits and is responsible for on‑site checks when it issues those permits. DBI also said it has instructed inspectors to remind contractors to secure scaffolding, posted outreach materials advising how to prepare for high winds, and has a 24‑hour on‑call inspector who can respond to incidents.
Commissioners pressed for better pre‑storm coordination and records: they asked whether DPW's inspections are documented, whether they include walk‑up checks (DBI said DPW typically performs a ground‑level visual inspection) and whether DPW could present the exact inspection checklist and process in a future meeting. Tom Hui (DBI Director) said DBI can request reports from Cal/OSHA when an incident is investigated but that those reports may take months to arrive.
What happens next: DBI staff offered to reach out to DPW and ask them to present at a future commission meeting detailing how public‑way scaffolding is permitted and inspected, and how the city will coordinate pre‑storm monitoring.
