CFR 142A - Safety Standards for Scaffolds Used in the Construction Industry

On August 30, 1996, OSHA promulgated a final rule to revise the construction industry safety standards which regulate design, construction and use of scaffolds (61 FR 170, 46026-46131). The final rule updates the existing scaffold standards and sets performance-oriented criteria, where possible, to protect employees from scaffold-related hazards such as falls, falling objects, structural instability, electrocution, and overloading. In particular, the final rule addresses types of scaffolds not covered by the existing standards, and training for workers using scaffolds.

On November 25, 1996, OSHA issued ten corrections and a partial stay (i.e., on-hold pending additional reviews) of the implementation of 29 CFR 1926.451(b)(2)(i) as it relates to the minimum width of roof bracket scaffolds (61 FR 59831-59832). On January 13, 1998, OSHA issued a minor format correction (63 FR 1919) and on January 27, 1998, OSHA codified OMB approval and announced an effective date (January 28, 1998), for 29 CFR 1926.453(a)(2) that addresses manufacturer certification of "field modified" aerial lifts.

The August 30, 1996, final rule and the November 25, 1996, corrections and partial stay were adopted verbatim with effective dates of February 11, 1997, and March 7, 1997, respectively. The January 13, 1998, and January 27, 1998, correction and OMB approvals were adopted with an effective date of April 8, 1998.