SAFE USE, ERECTION,

ALTERATION,
DISMANTLING,
MAINTENANCE AND
INSPECTION OF
SUPPORTED SCAFFOLDING

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 nonrigid, overhead support
Aerial Lifts -- such as cherry
pickers or boom trucks

Scaffold Hazards

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.

Frame Selection
Scaffold frames are available in two basic
configurations the end frame and the
walk-through frame.

 The height selected will depend on trade or

union preferences and the nature of the
work.
The 66 high frames are practical for
higher scaffolds because fewer units need to
be assembled or dismantled and their higher
overhead clearance makes them easy to walk
through.
On exterior walls, the walk through frame is
frequently used.

Access Onto Scaffold

OSHA requires that adequate means of
access is given to the scaffold platform.
Stairways or demountable ladders.
In addition Waco has a walk-through and an
end frame with built-in ladders.

Scaffold Access
No access by
crossbraces
When using ladders,
bottom rung no more
than 24 inches high
Can use some end
frames
Can access from
another scaffold,
structure or hoist

End Frame

Do not access
by crossbraces

No Access No PPE

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

Competent Persons
All scaffolds must be
erected, moved,
dismantled or altered
only under the
supervision of a
competent person

Safety Comes First

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.

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.

When a scaffold is being erected on uneven grade, adjusting screws

should be used in all legs.

Scaffold Support Examples

Base plate

Mud sills

Good support

Inadequate support
in danger of collapse?

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.

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.

Scaffold Height
20

The height of the

scaffold should not
be more than four
times its minimum
base dimension
unless guys, ties, or
braces are used

Types of Ties
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.

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 9)
Planks should bear the stamp of a grading agency
approved by the American Lumber Standards
Committee)
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)

Planks Toe boards

Each scaffold walkway shall be at

least 18 inches (45 cm) wide.

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.

Scaffold Platform Construction

No large gaps in front
edge of platforms
Each abutted end of
plank must rest on a
separate support surface
Overlap platforms at
least 12 inches over
supports, unless
restrained to prevent
movement

Planks not properly

overlapped

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

The front edge of all platforms shall not be more than 14

inches (35 cm) from the face of the work, unless
guardrail systems are erected along the front edge
and/or personnel fall arrest systems are used.

Loads
OSHA requires that a scaffold be designed
with a 4:1 safety factor.
Light duty: 25 pounds per square foot
Medium duty: 50 pounds per square foot
Heavy Duty: 75 pounds per square foot.
Material loads should be evenly distributed
on platform and not concentrated in one
small area.

Scaffolds Near Power Lines

Scaffolds

Scaffolds

Scaffolds

Using Scaffolds
Dont 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

Fatal Fact Ice & No Guardrails

Laborer was working on the
third level of a tubular welded
frame scaffold which was
covered with ice and snow
The scaffold was not fully
decked, there was no
guardrail and no access
ladder
The worker slipped and fell
head first 20 feet to the
pavement below

Scaffold Inspection
Competent person
inspects scaffolds for
visible defects before
each shift and after any
alterations
Defective parts must be
immediately repaired
Deformed bearer

Scaffold Labeling

Unsafe act Unsafe condition

Unsafe condition

Unsafe Scaffolding No Access

No Fall Protection

Unsafe Scaffolding No Fall Protection

No Fall Protection No PPE

violations

No Fall Protection

violations

No Safe Access No
Platform

violations
Stupidity Behavior

Unbelievable

Safety Violations

There is no fall protection or safe access

Safety Violations

No Fall Protection No PPE

Safety Violations
There is no barricade or cover protection

Manhole without
Cover

Safety Violations
No Fall Protection No Access

Unsafe conditions

Safety Violations
No Fall Protection

Safety Violations

No Fall Protection No PPE

No Fall Protection

No Fall Protection

No Fall Protection

Unsafe Conditions unsafe scaffolding

No Fall Protection Unsafe Access

Unsafe Access

No Fall Protection No PPE