Supported Scaffolds

Scaffold User Training

Ladders and Scaffolds

Scaffold Hazards
The danger of falling is most
common.
9% of construction deaths are

scaffold-related
Scaffold falls injure 29,000
workers every year.
47% of all scaffold catastrophes
and deaths are caused by
defective scaffolds.
Any missing or defective part
makes a scaffold less safe.

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Ladders and Scaffolds

1926.450 Subpart L - Scaffolds

1926.450: Scope, application and

definitions
1926.451: General requirements
Covers the basic variables

1926.452: Specific requirements

For each type of scaffold

1926.453: Aerial lifts

1926.454: Training
Anyone who works from a scaffold or who
erects scaffolds must have training.

15

How Do We Know a Scaffold Is Safe?

Supported scaffolds must have these

features:

1926.452(w) "Mobile scaffolds"

1926.452(b) Tube & coupler scaffolds

1926.450 definitions applicable to

subpart

Competent person means one who

is capable of identifying existing and
predictable hazards in the surroundings
or working conditions which are
hazardous or dangerous to employees,
and who has the authorization to take
prompt corrective measures to
eliminate them.(CPL 2-1.23)

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Ladders and Scaffolds

.451 General Requirements

For All Scaffolds
(a) Capacity
Support its own weight and 4 X the
Maximum Intended Load (MIL).
Designed by a Qualified Person and built
and loaded to design.
Some Criteria listed in Appendix 'A'

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(b) Platform Construction

Platforms fully planked or decked

Maximum 25 mm gaps

Maximum openings of 240 mm if necessary

Platforms and walkways minimum 458mm wide

Guardrails and/or Personal Fall Arrest System
(PFAS) for < 458mm wide

Planks laid at angles other than 90 laid first

under planks laid over supports at 90

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240mm max
25mm MAX

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What Makes a Safe Platform?

Fully planked with scaffold-grade wood or

metal.

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Scaffold Platform Construction

Front of scaffold no more than 350mm from face of

work

For outrigger scaffolds 76.2mm

Unless secured platforms extend minimum of 150mm

over support

150mm

NOT CLEATED OR TIED

(b)(7)

305mm

(b)(3)
355mm
MAX
458mm

OR MUST HAVE GUARDRAIL

OR FALL PROTECTION

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Platform Construction

Dont paint wood, except ID on

edges

Fully planked between front

upright & guardrails

Dont mix scaffold components

used unless compatible &
strength is maintained
[Competent Person decision]

Dont modify mixed scaffold

components
to make them fit [C.P. decision]

No components of dissimilar
metals without Competent
Person approval

Inspect, Inspect, Inspect

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Tie-Ins to the Building

This 6-tier scaffold is
is anchored to the building
with rope through windows.

A solid strut anchor is better,

especially if not dependent upon
friction attachments at both ends.

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1926.451 (c) Supported Scaffolds

Guys, ties or braces required at the 4:1

height ratio

Repeated every 6m or scaffolds 900mm

wide or less

Every 8m wider than 900mm

Installed at each end of the scaffold

Horizontal spacing not to exceed 9m

1926.451 (c) (1) (ii)

30 feet
9.1m

30 feet
9.1m

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34

Plumb, Level, Square

You can visually check scaffold alignment.
Plumb:
Vertical
members
stand
perpendicular
to horizon.

Level:
Horizontal
members are
parallel to
horizon.

Square:
Horizontal
and vertical
members
form right
angles where
they connect.

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Ladders and Scaffolds

Foundation and Load

Distribution?

35

Supported Scaffolds

Bracing required to prevent tipping for all

eccentric applied loads

Scaffolds must bear on base plates and mud

sills or other firm foundation

Footings rigid with no settling or displacement

1926.451 General Requirements

(c) Criteria for supported scaffolds
(2) Base plates mud sills

Base plate

Mud sills

1926.451 (c) Supported Scaffolds

Unstable objects
shall not be used to
support scaffolds or
platform units.

Unstable objects
shall not be used as
working platforms.

1926.451 (c) Supported Scaffolds

Poles, legs, posts,

frames, and
uprights plumb
and braced

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37

Whats the Best Way

to Load the Scaffold?
Distribute loads evenly. Point load over
uprights.

Evenly
distributed
A good
practice!
An unsafe
practice!

Point Loading When necessary, it should

be done over uprights.

1926.451 (e) Access

Scaffold more than 600mm above or below a

point of access ladders, stairs, ramps or other
similar access provided

No cross braces for access!

Hook on ladders positioned so as not to tip

the scaffold

Bottom rung within 600mm of supporting level

Over 10m, rest levels every 10m

1926.451 (e) Access

Hook-on ladders compatible

with scaffold used

Minimum rung width of

285mm

Rungs uniformly spaced

425mm maximum rung

spacing

Slip resistant treads on

stairs and landings

1926.451 (e) Access

Prefabricated scaffold access:

specifically designed and constructed for use as
ladder rungs;
Have a rung length of at least 200mm
Uniformly spaced
Max. spacing 425mm
** fixed ladders must have fall protection if length
of climb is 7.3m or greater.**
** landing rest platforms required on fixed ladders at
maximum intervals of 15m**

Use

No loading in excess of intended or rated

load

Lean-to scaffolds prohibited

CP to inspect for defects each shift

Damaged scaffold repaired, replaced or

braced

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Ladders and Scaffolds

USE
No makeshift devices to increase height
The 'Drywall Bucket Rule'
No ladder to increase height except on
'large area' and:
Side thrust countered, platform secured
Ladder legs on same platform & secured
Platforms not to deflect > 1/60 of span

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Use

No moving of scaffolds with employees on them

unless designed by PE for such
Must decend mobile scaffolds prior to moving, and
lock casters when in position.
Safe distance from electric lines:
Insulated lines:
Less than 300 volts = 3 feet
300 volts to 50 kilovolts = 10 feet
Over 50 kilovolts = 10 feet plus .4 inches for each additional
kV; or twice the length of the line insulator but never less
than 10 feet

Use

Scaffolds erected, moved, dismantled, or

altered only under the supervision and
direction of a competent person qualified in
scaffolds

Access scaffolds with snow/ice only to

remove

Swinging loads near scaffolds must use tag

lines

Debris shall
not be
allowed to
accumulate
on
platforms.

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Ladders and Scaffolds

.454 Training Requirements

Your employer must train
you.

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Fall Protection

Required at 10 foot height

PFAS instead of guardrails on some
Fall protection required when scaffold is
greater than 355mm away from work
surface
PFAS for erectors/dismantlers where
feasible
Toprails height = 965mm to 1.1m
Crossbracing X as top or midrail
depending on height

48

(g)(4)(xv)

Top
965mm to 1.1m
1.2m Max
Mid
508mm- 762mm

Cross bracing in Guardrail Systems

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Ladders and Scaffolds

Guardrails

Guardrails prevent work falls.

Only 33% of the
scaffolds involved in
accidents had
guardrails.
Ideal height is
965mm above
work platform.

OSHA requires
fall protection on
platforms 3m or
higher.
Top rail must withstand a force of 90 kgs (or
45 kgs on suspension scaffolds).

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1926.451 (g) Fall Protection

Guardrail systems shall

be installed along all
open sides and ends of
platforms.

Guardrail systems
installed before scaffold
is released for use by
employees other than
erection/dismantling
crews.

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(h) Falling Object Protection

Hardhats required
Protect employees below
Barricades to exclude working below
Toe boards at edges of platforms
Allows panels and screens
Canopies allowed

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54

Toeboard Options
Using extra planks on edge:
Wire in place
Maintain max. gap of 6mm
Wire or nail ends in place

Job-made w/25mmx 150mm

lumber:
Wire/nail/cleat in place
Lighter, easier to handle

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54

Electrical Hazards
Scaffolds shall remain a minimum
of 3m away from energized power
lines.
All power tools and equipment
shall be plugged into a GFCI
Temporary lighting shall not be
connected to the scaffold system
by metal components

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Ladders and Scaffolds

Mobile Scaffolds3
Plumb; Level square; Braces secured
Cross, horizontal & diagonal braces to
prevent racking or collapse
Mobile scaffolds must comply with other
frame requirements
Castors - positive lock on wheel and/or
swivel

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Mobile Scaffolds2
Horizontal and
diagonal bracing
required to prevent
racking.
Most manufacturers
provide with fixed
length.

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Fatal fact
Bricklaying crew working
on the upper floor of a
three-story building built a
six-foot platform spanning
a gap between two
scaffolds. The platform
was correctly constructed
of two 50mmX300mm
planks with standard
guardrails; however, one
of the planks was not
scaffold grade lumber and
also had extensive dry rot
in the center. when a
bricklayer stepped on the
plank it disintegrated and
he fell 9m to his death.

Fatal fact
Two employees were installing
aluminum siding on a farm house
when it became necessary to
remove a 11m high metal pole CB
antenna. One employee stood on
a metal pick board between two
ladders and unfastened the
antenna at the top of the house.
The other employee who was
standing on the ground, took the
antenna to lay it down in the
yard. The antenna made
electrical contact with a 7200-volt
power transmission line 9.3m
from the house and 7.2m above
the ground. The employee
handling the antenna received a
fatal shock and the other
employee a minor shock.

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Ladders and Scaffolds

71

Protect Yourself With

Good Practice

Dont allow tools, materials, or debris to collect

on scaffold.
Never, never throw or drop tools, materials, or
equipment.
Make sure connections are in place and
completely tight.
Do not stand on ties.
Do not stand on guardrails or plank
extensions.
Do not overreach outside of the guardrails.