OSHA OUTREACH

TRAINING PROGRAM
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
SAFETY STANDARDS
Subpart L
Scaffolds
29 CFR 1926.450
29 CFR 1926.454
 References
• 29 CFR 1926, Subpart L
• 29 CFR 1910, Subpart D
• Scaffold Training Institute
 What Is A Scaffold?
An elevated, temporary work platform

Three basic types:

 Supported scaffolds -- platforms supported
by rigid, load bearing members, such as
poles, legs, frames, & outriggers
 Suspended scaffolds -- platforms
suspended by ropes or other non-rigid,
overhead support
 Aerial Lifts -- such as “cherry pickers” or
“boom trucks”
 Hazards
Employees working on scaffolds are
exposed to these hazards:

• Falls from elevation – caused

by slipping, unsafe access, and
the lack of fall protection
• Struck by falling tools / debris
• Electrocution – from overhead
power lines
• Scaffold collapse - caused by
instability or overloading
• Bad planking giving way
 Types of Scaffolds - Load
• light duty scaffold: A scaffold designed and
constructed to carry a working load not to
exceed 25 pounds per square foot.
• Medium duty scaffold: A scaffold designed
and constructed to carry a working load not to
exceed 50 pounds per square foot.
• Heavy duty scaffold: A scaffold designed
and constructed to carry a working load not to
exceed 75 pounds per square foot.
 Types of Scaffoldings
A- Frame Scaffolding
• The primary steel
scaffolding system.
• It is primarily for
rectangular jobs.
• It is relatively simple
and fast to erect,
provided the surface is
level, and the access is
not restricted.
Frame Scaffold
• OSHA refers to
frame scaffolds as
sectional steel
scaffold.
• There are two basic
parts to a frame
scaffolds – The frame
and the cross brace.
 B- Tube and Clamp
• To accommodate jobs too
difficult for frame
scaffolding, because of
the obstruction, limited
access.
• Tube and clamp requires
much greater expertise to
erect.
• Oil Refineries
 C- Modular System Scaffolds
• The advantage that
modular systems have
over tube and clamp is
that they do not require
the high degree of
expertise .
• Once the base is set, the
erector does not have to
worry about the location
of connections
 D- Rolling Scaffolds
• When height to
minimum base width
ratio of the scaffold
exceeds 4:1,
stabilizers are
required.
• Casters (brakes)
• Adjustable screws
with base plates.
E- Suspended Scaffolds ‫السقاالت المعلقة‬
 Competent Persons

• All scaffolds must be

erected, moved,
dismantled or altered
only under the
supervision of a
competent person
 Step 1: Preparation
Consider the following:
 What is the intended use?
• what work tasks are involved
• anticipated loads (materials & equipment)
• how many people will be on it
• unique building configurations
• obstructions, such as electrical or piping
 Step 1: Preparation
Consider the following:
 What are the site conditions?
• debris to be cleared
• uneven grade/slopes to consider A scaffold leg
broke through
• foundation type this city
• soil conditions sidewalk...
• concrete foundation
• pavement/asphalt foundation
• weather conditions
 Step 1: Preparation
 How high will the scaffold be?
• will scaffold need to be secured or designed
by a qualified person
 What work will be performed on it?
• welding or heat-producing tasks
• how many people will be on the scaffold
 Will pedestrians be affected?
• building accesses must be maintained
• overhead protection may be required
 Step 2: Proper Erection
 Erect, alter, move, and dismantle under the
supervision of a competent person!
 Build to OSHA standards.
 Use the appropriate fall protection system
for the situation. Scaffolding
should always be
built as complete
as possible
-“missing parts”
is no excuse!
 Step 3: Safe Use
 Maximum Capacity  Fall Protection
 Inspection  Falling Object
 Electrical clearances Protection
 Snow, ice, mud
 Storms, high winds
 Debris
 Working level height
 General Requirements
• Scaffolds and their components shall be
capable of supporting without failure at least
four times the maximum intended load.
• Nails or bolts used in the construction of
scaffolds shall be of adequate size and in
sufficient numbers at each connection to
develop the designed strength of the
scaffolds. Nails shall not be subjected to a
straight pull and shall be driven full length.
• All planking or platforms shall be
overlapped (minimum 12 inches) or secured
from movement.
 Continued
• An access ladder or equivalent safe access
shall be provided.
• Scaffold planks shall extend over their end
supports not less than 6 inches nor more
than 18 inches.
• Employees shall not work on scaffolds
during storms or high winds.
• Tools, materials, and debris shall not be
allowed to accumulate in quantities to cause
hazard.
 General Requirements
• Wire or fiber rope used for scaffold suspension
shall be capable of supporting at least six times
the intended load.
• OSHA has determined a 10 - foot fall protection
for scaffolding.
• Scaffolds cannot be erected, used, closer than
10 feet (3.1m) near energized power lines. (from
300 v to 50 kv).
• OSHA requires that scaffolding must always be
secure when height of the scaffold exceeds four
(4) times the minimum base width.
 Foundations/Sills
• Base plates must be
placed under the legs.
• Use mudsill continuous
under both legs of the
scaffold. The sill
extends at least 9 inches
past the center line of
the leg and be of 2inch
x 10 inches lumber.
Foundation Sills
Scaffold Foundations
• Scaffolds must have
base plates, even when
setting on a concrete
floor.
• Also, the lack of a base
plate could damage
the scaffold leg.
 Bracing
• The position and number of braces used on a
scaffold not only restricts the amount of side
movement, but also determines the strength of the
scaffold.
• Bracing at right angles to the building is achieved
by the ties to the building and the inherent
rigidity of the frame.
• Special care should be taken with tube and
coupler or systems scaffolds which need
transverse bracing as well as ties.
All vertical members must be connected
horizontally at regular intervals by horizontal
bracing, cross bracing, or other methods
Bracing
• Bracing restricts the
amount of side
movement.
• The normal interval
is every lock spacing
with frame
scaffolds, and every
6.5 feet for tube and
coupler or system
scaffold
 Ties
• It is essential that every scaffold be
adequately tied to the building structure
throughout its entire length and height. If
not, collapse of the scaffold will occur.
• The bottom tie must be placed no higher
than four (4) times the minimum base width
and every 26 feet vertically thereafter.
• Horizontal ties will be at intervals not to
exceed 30 feet.
• At least 50% of ties should be positive.
 Securing
1926.451(c)(ii)
• If the base width is wider than 3’,
the first tie will be a vertical
distance of 4 times that (from the
ground), and every 26’ thereafter.
• Example:
• base width = 5’
• first vertical tie will be (5’ x 4)
20’ from the ground
 Securing
1926.451(c)(ii)
• Guys, ties, and braces shall be installed at
each end of the scaffold and at horizontal
intervals not to exceed 30’.
For example, on
this scaffolding
which extends the
length of the
hotel, horizontal x x
braces will be x x x
installed at the red 30’ 30’
<30’ <30’
marks.
Types of Ties ‫أنواع الربط‬
Through Ties (+ ve) •
Reveal Ties (- ve) •
Box Ties (+ ve) •
Anchor Bolt (+ ve) •
 Through Ties (+ve type)
A tube is taken through any convenient opening, such
as a window, and coupled to a vertical or horizontal
tubes
 B- Reveal Ties (Not Positive)
A tube is wedged into an opening in the wall by
means of reveal pin. A second tube is then fixed
between this tube and the scaffold to form the tie.
 C- Box Ties (Positive Ties)
If there are columns close to the scaffold. Tie
tubes run both sides of the column, with cross
tubes tied back and front to both tie tubes.
D- Anchor Bolt (Positive Type)
• They leave a hole
behind which has to
be repaired.
• A pull out force of at
least 800 lbs, 1200
lbs, and 1600 lbs is
necessary for light,
medium, and heavy
duty scaffolds
respectively.
Planking
• Wood scaffold planks
should be nominal
2inches x 10 inches.
• Planking should extend
a minimum of 6 inches
over the center of each
support (unless cleated
to prevent the plank
from sliding) and a
maximum of 12 inches
 Planks
• Wood scaffold planks should be nominal 2 inches x 10
inches. (actual 1.5” x 9¼”)
• Planks should bear the stamp of a grading agency
approved by the American Lumber Standards
Committee)
• The maximum span for wood planks should not exceed 8
feet. (platform shall not deflect more than 1/60 of the
span when loaded.
• Span of 8 feet for 25 pounds per square foot
• Span of 6 feet rated for 50 pounds per square foot
maximum.
• Gaps between adjacent planks or toe boards should not
exceed one (1) inch. (minimum width 18 inches)
 Platform Ends

Each end of a
platform, unless
cleated or otherwise
restrained by hooks,
must extend over its
support by at least 6
inches

No Cleats
Each scaffold walkway shall be at
least 18 inches (45 cm) wide.
 Planks
• Always plank out the full width of the
scaffold. (the minimum plank width is 18
inches)
• Checking of Scaffold Boards (A board should
not be used if:
1. Either end is split sufficient to cause a
weakness.
2. It is damaged by fracture or saw cut, is
splintered, has been nailed, or concrete or
plaster is sticking to it.
Planks
3- It has had oil,
corrosive liquid or
acid split on it.
4- It has any part
painted (which may
cover up a weakness)
5- It is excessively
warped, or if any
part is decayed.
 Using Scaffolds
•Don’t work on snow or ice
covered platforms or during
storms or high winds
•Use tag lines on swinging
loads
•Protect suspension ropes
from heat & acid

A covered scaffold has special

wind load considerations
Diagram 1.Scaffold Labeling
Diagram 1.Scaffold Labeling
Diagram 2. Full Body Harness