Scaffolding Safety Requirements

Restrictions

Scaffolds that will be greater than 125 feet in height above their base plates must be designed by a registered professional engineer (i.e. a qualified person)

Lean-to scaffolds are prohibited. Lean-to scaffolds are supported by tilting it toward and resting upon a building or structure.

Shore scaffolds are prohibited. Shore scaffolds are placed against a building or structure and are held in place with props.

Preparation

When preparing for work involving scaffolding, it is important to consider the following:

• What will be the intended use of the scaffolding? Consider what work tasks will be performed, anticipated loads for people, materials, and equipment, any unique building configurations which may create a problem, and electrical or piping obstructions which are in the area.
• What are the site conditions? Will the scaffolding be set up on a concrete foundation, pavement/asphalt, or earth? If set up on earth, what class of soil is present, and is the area level? Are there weather conditions to consider?
• How high will the scaffolding be and will it need to be secured to the building structure or designed by a qualified person?
• Will pedestrians be affected? Building accesses must be maintained and overhead protection may be required.

Maximum intended Load/rated load capacity

Each scaffold and scaffold component shall be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least four times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to the scaffold. To figure the maximum intended load, total the weight of all persons, equipment, tools, materials, transmitted loads, and other loads reasonably anticipated to be applied to the scaffold (or scaffold component) at any one time. Persons are estimated at 250 pounds each.

Rated load capacity

Scaffold and scaffold components shall not be loaded in excess of their maximum intended load or rated capacity, whichever is less. The rated load capacity of a scaffold is defined below.

The maximum weight that can be applied to the scaffold is determined by data supplied by the manufacturer, expressed as permissible load per square feet (e.g. 25 psf, 50 psf, or 75 psf) multiplied by the square footage of the scaffold work surface.

Weather-related

Employees shall be prohibited from working on scaffolds covered with snow, ice, or other slippery material (ex. mud), except as necessary to remove such materials. Work on or from scaffolds is also 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 personal fall arrest systems or windscreens.

• Windscreens shall not be used unless the scaffold is secured against the anticipated wind forces.
• Where uplift can occur which could displace scaffold end frames or panels, they shall be locked together vertically with pins or equivalent.

Debris/equipment

Debris shall not be allowed to accumulate on work platforms. Scrap material, mortar, demolition materials, etc. shall be removed regularly in a safe and orderly manner.

Ladders or makeshift devices, such as boxes, barrels, chairs, cans, etc. shall not be used on top of scaffold platforms to increase the working level height of employees.

Electrical hazards

When working or erecting scaffolding in the vicinity of overhead electrical lines, it is critical that minimum clearances are observed and/or that power lines are de-energized or insulated by the power company. Clearances apply to the tools and equipment being used in the vicinity of the power lines, materials being handled, any scaffolding component, and any part of a person's body. For clearance distances for insulated and uninsulated power lines, click here.