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Scaffold building

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Scaffolds must be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered under the supervision of a competent person who is qualified in these operations. These activities must be performed by experienced and trained employees selected by the competent person. Scaffold components made by different manufacturers should not be intermixed unless they fit together without force and maintain the scaffold's structural integrity, as determined by a competent person. Dissimilar metals in scaffold components should also be evaluated by a competent person to ensure galvanic action does not compromise the strength of any component.

Key safety guidelines include:

  • Regular Inspections: Scaffolds and their components must be inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift and after any occurrence that could affect the scaffold's structural integrity \[1926\.451(f)(3\)].
  • Fall Protection: Each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet above a lower level must be protected from falling \[1926\.451(g)(1\)]. The employer must have a competent person determine the feasibility and safety of providing fall protection for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds \[1926\.451(g)(2\)].
  • Load Limits: Scaffolds and scaffold components shall not be loaded in excess of their maximum intended loads or rated capacities \[1926\.451(f)(1\)].
  • Access: The employer shall provide safe means of access for each employee erecting or dismantling a scaffold where the provision of safe access is feasible and does not create a greater hazard \[1926\.451(e)(9\)(i)].
  • Weather Conditions: Work on or from scaffolds is prohibited during storms or high winds unless a competent person has determined that it is safe for employees to be on the scaffold and those employees are protected by a personal fall arrest system or wind screens \[1926\.451(f)(12\)].
  • Welding Safety: When welding from suspended scaffolds, specific precautions must be taken to reduce the possibility of welding current arcing through the suspension wire rope \[1926\.451(f)(17\)].
  • Guardrails: Guardrail systems must be installed along all open sides and ends of platforms \[1926\.451(g)(4\)(i)].
  • Training: Employees erecting or dismantling scaffolds should be trained in a general overview of scaffolding, specific regulations and standards, erection/dismantling planning, PPE and proper procedures, fall protection, materials handling, and access \[Subpart L App D].

Regulatory compliance involves adhering to standards such as those set by OSHA, including 29 CFR 1926\.451, which outlines general requirements for scaffolds, and 29 CFR 1926\.452, which provides additional requirements for specific types of scaffolds. [1] [2] [2] [1] [5] [5] [3] [2] [1] [5] [6] [4]

6 source record(s)

Sources used for this answer

[1] Construction Safety and Health Standards (MIOSHA)

Page 32

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# 1926.451 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (cont.) ## 1926.451(f) "Use." (cont.) - 1926.451(f)(15) Ladders shall not be used on scaffolds to increase the working level height of employees, except on large area scaffolds where employers have satisfied the following criteria: - 1926.451(f)(15)(i) When the ladder is placed against a structure which is not a part of the scaffold, the scaffold shall be secured against the sideways thrust exerted by the ladder; - 1926.451(f)(15)( The platform units shall be secured to the scaffold to prevent their movement; - 926.451(f)(15)(iii) The ladder legs shall be on the same platform or other means shall be provided to stabilize the ladder against unequal platform deflection, and 1926.451(f)(15)(iv) The ladder legs shall be secured to prevent them from slipping or being pushed off the platform. 1926.451(f)(16) Platforms shall not deflect more than 1/60 of the span when loaded. 1926.451(f)(17) To reduce the possibility of welding current arcing through the suspension wire rope when performing welding from suspended scaffolds, the following precautions shall be taken, as applicable: 1926.451(f)(17)(i) An insulated thimble shall be used to attach each suspension wire rope to its hanging support (such as cornice hook or outrigger). Excess suspension wire rope and any additional independent lines from grounding shall be insulated; - 1926.451(f)(17)(ii) The suspension wire rope shall be covered with insulating material extending at least 4 feet (1.2 m) above the hoist. If there is a tail line below the hoist, it shall be insulated to prevent contact with the platform. The portion of the tail line that hangs free below the scaffold shall be guided or retained, or both, so that it does not become grounded; - 1926.451(f)(17)(iii) Each hoist shall be covered with insulated protective covers; - 1926.451(f)(17)(iv) In addition to a work lead attachment required by the welding process, a grounding conductor shall be connected from the scaffo…

[2] Construction Safety and Health Standards (MIOSHA)

Page 56

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Source excerpt

# 1926 SUBPART L APPENDIX D LIST OF TRAINING TOPICS FOR SCAFFOLD ERECTORS AND DISMANTLERS This Appendix D is provided to serve as a guide to assist employers when evaluating the training needs of employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds. The Agency believes that employees erecting or dismantling scaffolds should be trained in the following topics: * General Overview of Scaffolding * regulations and standards * erection/dismantling planning * PPE and proper procedures * fall protection * materials handling * access * working platforms * foundations * guys, ties and braces * Tubular Welded Frame Scaffolds * specific regulations and standards * components * parts inspection * erection/dismantling planning * guys, ties and braces * fall protection * general safety * access and platforms * erection/dismantling procedures * rolling scaffold assembly * putlogs * Tube and Clamp Scaffolds * specific regulations and standards * components * parts inspection * erection/dismantling planning * guys, ties and braces * fall protection * general safety * access and platforms * erection/dismantling procedures * buttresses, cantilevers, & bridges * System Scaffolds * specific regulations and standards * components * parts inspection * erection/dismantling planning * guys, ties and braces * fall protection * general safety * access and platforms * erection/dismantling procedures * buttresses, cantilevers, & bridges Scaffold erectors and dismantlers should all receive the general overview, and, in addition, specific training for the type of supported scaffold being erected or dismantled. [61 FR [redacted postal code], Aug. 30, 1996] 56

[3] OSHA Construction Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures Records and/or Training (NCDOL)

Page 136

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Source excerpt

# 1926.451-GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (cont.) ## Competent Person (cont.) 1926.451(f)(3)-Scaffolds and scaffold components shall be inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift, and after any occurrence which could affect a scaffold's structural integrity. 1926.451(f)(7)-Scaffolds shall be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered only under the supervision and direction of a competent person qualified in scaffold erection, moving, dismantling or alteration. Such activities shall be performed only by experienced and trained employees selected for such work by the competent person. 1926.451(f)(12)-Work on or from scaffolds is prohibited during storms or high winds unless a competent person has determined that it is safe for employees to be on the scaffold and those employees are protected by a personal fall arrest system or wind screens. Wind screens shall not be used unless the scaffold is secured against the anticipated wind forces imposed. 1926.451(g)(2)-Effective September 2, 1997, the employer shall have a competent person determine the feasibility and safety of providing fall protection for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds. Employers are required to provide fall protection for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds where the installation and use of such protection is feasible and does not create a greater hazard. 1926.451(g)(4)(xiv)-Manila or plastic (or other synthetic) rope being used for toprails or midrails shall be inspected by a competent person as frequently as necessary to ensure that it continues to meet the strength requirements of paragraph (g) [Fall Protection] of this section. ## Qualified Person 1926.451(d)(3)(i)-Before the scaffold is used, direct connections shall be evaluated by a competent person who shall confirm, based on the evaluation, that the supporting surfaces are capable of supporting the loads to be imposed. In addition, masons' multi-point adjustable suspension scaffol…

[4] OSHA Construction Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures Records and/or Training (NCDOL)

Page 135

Open source document

Source excerpt

# 1926.451-GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (cont.) ## Inspections and Tests (cont.) 1926.451(g)(2)-Effective September 2, 1997, the employer shall have a competent person determine the feasibility and safety of providing fall protection for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds. Employers are required to provide fall protection for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds where the installation and use of such protection is feasible and does not create a greater hazard. 1926.451(g)(4)(xiv)-Manila. or plastic (or other synthetic) rope being used for toprails or midrails shall be inspected by a competent person as frequently as necessary to ensure that it continues to meet the strength requirements of paragraph (g) [Fall Protection] of this section. ## Recordkeeping 1926.451(d)(3)(i)-Before the scaffold is used, direct connections shall be evaluated by a competent person who shall confirm, based on the evaluation, that the supporting surfaces are capable of supporting the loads to be imposed. In addition, masons' multi-point adjustable suspension scaffold connections shall be designed by an engineer experienced in such scaffold design. 1926.451(d)(12)(iv)-Clips shall be inspected and retightened to the manufacturer's recommendations at the start of each workshift thereafter. ## Training and Communications 1926.451(f)(7)-Scaffolds shall be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered only under the supervision and direction of a competent person qualified in scaffold erection, moving, dismantling or alteration. Such activities shall be performed only by experienced and trained employees selected for such work by the competent person. ## Competent Person 1926.451(b)(10)-Scaffold components manufactured by different manufacturers shall not be intermixed unless the components fit together without force and the scaffold's structural integrity is maintained by the user. Scaffold components manufactured by different manufacturers shall not be modified i…

[5] Construction Safety and Health Standards (MIOSHA)

Page 33

Open source document

Source excerpt

# 1926.451 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (cont.) ## 1926.451(g) "Fall protection." (cont.) 1926.451(g)(3) In addition to meeting the requirements of 1926.502(d), personal fall arrest systems used on scaffolds shall be attached by lanyard to a vertical lifeline, horizontal lifeline, or scaffold structural member. Vertical lifelines shall not be used when overhead components, such as overhead protection or additional platform levels, are part of a single-point or two-point adjustable suspension scaffold. 1926.451(g)(3)(i) When vertical lifelines are used, they shall be fastened to a fixed safe point of anchorage, shall be independent of the scaffold, and shall be protected from sharp edges and abrasion. Safe points of anchorage include structural members of buildings, but do not include standpipes, vents, other piping systems, electrical conduit, outrigger beams, or counterweights. 1926.451(g)(3)(ii) When horizontal lifelines are used, they shall be secured to two or more structural members of the scaffold, or they may be looped around both suspension and independent suspension lines (on scaffolds so equipped) above the hoist and brake attached to the end of the scaffold. Horizontal lifelines shall not be attached only to the suspension ropes. 1926.451(g)(3)(iii) When lanyards are connected to horizontal lifelines or structural members on a single-point or two-point adjustable suspension scaffold, the scaffold shall be equipped with additional independent support lines and automatic locking devices capable of stopping the fall of the scaffold in the event one or both of the suspension ropes fail. The independent support lines shall be equal in number and strength to the suspension ropes. 1926.451(g)(3)(iv) Vertical lifelines, independent support lines, and suspension ropes shall not be attached to each other, nor shall they be attached to or use the same point of anchorage, nor shall they be attached to the same point on the scaffold or personal fall arrest system. 192…

[6] Construction Safety and Health Standards (MIOSHA)

Page 29

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Source excerpt

# 1926.451 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (cont.) - 1926.451(e)(5) Ramps and walkways. 1926.451(e)(5)(i) Ramps and walkways 6 feet (1.8m or more above lower levels shall have guardrail systems which comply with subpart M of this part -- Fall Protection; 1926.451(e)(5)(ii No ramp or walkway shall be inclined more than a slope of one (1) vertical to three (3) horizontal (20 degrees above the horizontal). 1926.451(e)(5)(iii) If the slope of a ramp or a walkway is steeper than one (1) vertical in eight (8) horizontal, the ramp or walkway shall have cleats not more than fourteen (14) inches (35 cm) apart which are securely fastened to the planks to provide footing. 1926.451(e)(6) Integral prefabricated scaffold access frames shall: 1926.451(e)(6)(i Be specifically designed and constructed for use as ladder rungs; 1926.451(e)(6)(ii) Have a rung length of at least 8 inches (20 cm); 1926.451(e)(6)(iii) Not be used as work platforms when rungs are less than 11 1/2 inches in length, unless each affected employee uses fall protection, or a positioning device, which complies with 1926.502; 1926.451(e)(6)(iv) Be uniformly spaced within each frame section; 1926.451 1(e)(6)(v) Be provided with rest platforms at 35-foot (10.7 m) maximum vertical intervals on all supported scaffolds more than 35 feet (10.7 m) high; and 1926.451(e)(6)(vi) Have a maximum spacing between rungs of 16 3/4 inches (43 cm). Non-uniform rung spacing caused by joining end frames together is allowed, provided the resulting spacing does not exceed 16 3/4 inches (43 cm). 1926.451(e)(7) Steps and rungs of ladder and stairway type access shall line up vertically with each other between rest platforms. 1926.451(e)(8) Direct access to or from another surface shall be used only when the scaffold is not more than 14 inches (36 cm) horizontally and not more than 24 inches (61 cm) vertically from the other surface. 1926.451(e)(9) Effective September 2, 1997, access for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffol…

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