Part 01

General Requirements: Scaffolding OSHA 1926.451

Requirements: Scaffolding OSHA: Capacity

Each scaffold and component is requiring to support at least four times maximum planned load applied. 1926.451(a.1)

A qualified person must design the scaffolds, according to design. 1926.451(a.6)

Don’t over load from its rated capacities. 1926.451(f.1)

Load-bearing timber must be at least 1,500 lb-f/in² construction-grade lumber. Appendix A (1.a)

Requirements OSHA: Scaffold Platform Construction

Each platform must be fully planked and decked, leaving no more than a 1-inch gap between the platform and uprights. If side brackets or unusual shapes create a wider gap, it must not exceed 9 inches, 1926.451(b.1)

Scaffold planks must be able to support at least four times planned load. 1926.451(a.1)

Follow manufacturer or a lumber grading agency or inspection assistance when using Solid sawn wood, fabricated planks and fabricated platforms. Appendix A (1.b) and (c)

Maximum Intended Nominal Load (lb/ft2)	Maximum Permissible Intended Nominal Load (lb/ft2) Span Using Full Thickness Undressed Lumber (ft)	Maximum Permissible Span Using Nominal Thickness Lumber (ft)
25	10	8
50	8	6
75	6	–

 

When loaded, platform shall not deflect more than 1/60 of the span. 1926.451(f.16)

No activity will perform platforms is untidy with debris. 1926.451(f.13)

Platform/walkway shall be at least 18 inches width. Otherwise use guardrails and/or personal fall arrest systems. 1926.451(b.2)

Above 10 feet requires employers to protect workers from fall. 1926.451(g.1)

On a working scaffold, install protection of fall system. 1926.451(g.4)

When front end is less than 14 inches, requirement of Guardrails is not necessary. 1926.451(b.3)

Requirement of Guardrails is necessary, when outrigger scaffolds are 3 inches or less from the front edge. 1926.451(b.3.l)

requirement of Guardrails is not necessary, when employees are plastering and lathing 18 inches or less from the front edge. 1926.451(b.3.ii)

Never use Steel or plastic banding in top rail or a mid-rail. 1926.451(g.4.xiii)

Requirements OSHA: Criteria for Supported Scaffolds

Platform supported by legs, outrigger beams, brackets, poles, uprights, posts, frames, or similar rigid support is called supported scaffold. 1926.451.b

All members of structure shall be perpendicular and braced to prevent fluctuation and displacement. 1926.451(c.3)

A qualified person  shall train all employees. The training shall include fall, falling object, electrical hazards, and handling of materials. 1926.454.a

If scaffolds ratio is more than 4:1 shall be restrained by guying, tying, bracing, or an equal means. 1926.451(c.1)

When the height of the building reaches 4 times its base width, shall attach guys, ties, or braces at the nearest horizontal support level. Continue adding this procedure as the structure gets taller.

Vertically

For scaffolds less than 3 feet (0.91 meters) wide, secure them every 20 feet (6.1 meters) or less.

For scaffolds more than 3 feet (0.91 meters) wide, secure them every 26 feet (7.9 meters) or less.

Horizontally

At intervals not to exceed 30 feet from one end. 1926.451(c.1)

Supported scaffolds poles, legs, posts, frames, and uprights shall bear adequate firm foundation. 1926.451(c.2.i) and (ii)

Forklifts can support platforms only when the whole platform is attached to the fork and does not move horizontally when workers are on the platform. 1926.451(c.2.v)

Front-end loader and alike equipment can support scaffold platforms, when it has been specifically designed by the manufacturer for such use. 1926.451(c.2.iv)

Stilts can use on a large area scaffold.

When using guardrail system, the guardrail height shall equal to the height of the stilts. 1926.452(v)

Criteria for Suspended Scaffolds

A platforms suspended by ropes or other non-rigid means from an overhead structure, 1926.450(b),

Employers must ensure, all employees have trained and recognized hazards related with the type of scaffold. 1926.451(d.1)

Support devices must attach with each other capable of supporting at least four times the load intended on scaffold when operating at the rated load of the hoist, or at least one-and-a-half times the load planned on them by the scaffold at the stall capacity of the hoist, which ever is greater. 1926.451(d.1)

A competent person shall calculate all direct connections prior to use. 1926.451(d)(1)

A competent person shall calculate all suspension scaffolds tying method or otherwise secured by any approved method. 1926.451(d)

Guardrails, fall arrest system, or both shall install on more than 10 feet. 1926.451(g)

A competent person shall inspect ropes prior to each shift and after every occurrence which affects a rope integrity. 1926.451(d.10)

When scaffold platform is more than 24 inches above/below a point of access, Use ladders or similar surfaces. 1926.451(e.1)  

When using direct access, the surface shall not be more than 24 inches above and 14 inches horizontally. 1926.451(e.8)

When lanyard is connected to horizontal lifelines or structural members on single/ two -point adjustable scaffold, install additional independent support line equal in number and strength and has automatic locking device. 1926.451(g.3.iii)

Emergency escape and rescue devices shall not be used as working platform, unless it is design for both purposes. 1926.451(d.19)

Counterweight shall be used to balance adjustable suspension scaffold, shall be able to resist at least four times the tipping moment. 1926.451(a)(2)

Suspended Scaffolds: continue

Use counterweight which is specifically designed. 1926.451(d.3.iii)

For suspended scaffold, Use Counterweight  that has made of material, cannot be easily dislocated. 1926.451(d.3.ii)

Counterweight shall be protected by mechanical resources to the outrigger beams. 1926.451(d.3.iv)

Vertical lifeline shall not fasten to counterweight. 1926.451(g.3.i)

Sand, masonry units, or water shall not use, as counterweight. 1926.451(d.3.ii.iii)

Outrigger beam is the structural member of suspension/outrigger scaffold that provide support. 1926.450(b)

Install Outrigger beam at right angles to its bearing support. 1926.451(d.3.viii)

Secure Tiebacks to anchorage on the building or structure. Not on standpipes, vents, or electrical conduit. 1926.451(d.3.ix.d.5)

Single tieback shall install at right angles to face of the structure. Two tiebacks shall install at opposing angles when a right angle tieback unable to install. 1926.451(d.3.x)

The ropes that hold up the scaffold must be long enough so that the scaffold can safely reach the next level down without running out of rope. 1926.451(d.6)

If the rope isn’t long enough, there must be a physical stop (such as a knot, clamp) to prevent the rope from slipping through the hoist. 1926.451(d.6)

Wire which has repaired shall not use. 1926.451(d.7)

Drum hoists shall contain minimum four wraps of rope when at lowest point. 1926.451(d.6)

Replace when kinks or six randomly broken wires in 1 rope lay or 3 broken wires in 1 strand in 1 lay or 1/3 of original diameter of the outside wires is lost or heat damage or evidence that the secondary brake has tied up the rope and other physical destruction that harms the function and strength of the rope. 1926.451(d.10)

Ropes supporting adjustable suspension scaffold shall be a diameter large enough to provide adequate surface area for the working of brake and hoist mechanisms. 1926.451(f.10)

Protected rope from heat-producing methods shall use. 1926.451(f.11)

Tested and listed by a qualified testing lab, Power-operated hoist shall be used. 1926.451(d.13)

Stall load of scaffold hoist shall not exceed to 3 times its rated load. 1926.451(a.5)