Subpart L - Scaffolds

Scope: This standard provides the general requirements for scaffolds. This section does not apply to aerial lifts, the criteria for which are set out exclusively in 1926.453 - aerial lifts.

Special Requirements: Rated load, qualified person, design, employer demonstrates, personal fall arrest system, competent person, marked, evaluated, registered professional engineer, inspections, manufacturer's recommendations, determination, emergency systems, trained, measures, personal fall arrest system, references other standards

1926.451(a)(1) - Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(5) and (g) of this section, each scaffold and scaffold component shall be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it.

1926.451(a)(2) - Direct connections to roofs and floors, and counterweights used to balance adjustable suspension scaffolds, shall be capable of resisting at least 4 times the tipping moment imposed by the scaffold operating at the rated load of the hoist, or 1.5 (minimum) times the tipping moment imposed by the scaffold operating at the stall load of the hoist, whichever is greater.

1926.451(a)(3) - Each suspension rope, including connecting hardware, used on non-adjustable suspension scaffolds shall be capable of supporting, without failure, at least 6 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to that rope.

1926.451(a)(4) - Each suspension rope, including connecting hardware, used on adjustable suspension scaffolds shall be capable of supporting, without failure, at least 6 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to that rope with the scaffold operating at either the rated load of the hoist, or 2 (minimum) times the stall load of the hoist, whichever is greater.

1926.451(a)(5) - The stall load of any scaffold hoist shall not exceed 3 times its rated load.

1926.451(a)(6) - Scaffolds shall be designed by a qualified person and shall be constructed and loaded in accordance with that design. Non-mandatory appendix A - scaffold specifications, to this subpart contains examples of criteria that will enable an employer to comply with paragraph (a) of this section.

1926.451(b)(2)(ii) - Where scaffolds must be used in areas that the employer can demonstrate are so narrow that platforms and walkways cannot be at least 18 inches (46 cm) wide, such platforms and walkways shall be as wide as feasible, and employees on those platforms and walkways shall be protected from fall hazards by the use of guardrails and/or personal fall arrest systems.

1926.451(b)(3) - Except as provided in paragraphs (b)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section, the front edge of all platforms shall not be more than 14 inches (36 cm) from the face of the work, unless guardrail systems are erected along the front edge and/or personal fall arrest systems are used in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section to protect employees from falling. 

1926.451(b)(9) - Wood platforms shall not be covered with opaque finishes, except that platform edges may be covered or marked for identification. Platforms may be coated periodically with wood preservatives, fire-retardant finishes, and slip-resistant finishes; however, the coating may not obscure the top or bottom wood surfaces.

1926.451(b)(10) - Scaffold components manufactured by different manufacturers shall not be intermixed unless the components fit together without force and the scaffold's structural integrity is maintained by the user. Scaffold components manufactured by different manufacturers shall not be modified in order to intermix them unless a competent person determines the resulting scaffold is structurally sound.

1926.451(b)(11) - Scaffold components made of dissimilar metals shall not be used together unless a competent person has determined that galvanic action will not reduce the strength of any component to a level below that required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

1926.451(c)(2)(iv) - Front-end loaders and similar pieces of equipment shall not be used to support scaffold platforms unless they have been specifically designed by the manufacturer for such use. 

1926.451(d)(3)(i) - Before the scaffold is used, direct connections shall be evaluated by a competent person who shall confirm, based on the evaluation, that the supporting surfaces are capable of supporting the loads to be imposed. In addition, masons' multi-point adjustable suspension scaffold connections shall be designed by an engineer experienced in such scaffold design.

1926.451(d)(3)(viii) - Outrigger beams shall be placed perpendicular to its bearing support (usually the face of the building or structure). However, where the employer can demonstrate that it is not possible to place an outrigger beam perpendicular to the face of the building or structure because of obstructions that cannot be moved, the outrigger beam may be placed at some other angle, provided opposing angle tiebacks are used. 

1926.451(d)(10) - Ropes shall be inspected for defects by a competent person prior to each workshift and after every occurrence which could affect a rope's integrity. Ropes shall be replaced if any of the following conditions exist: [Reference paragraph (d)(10)(i) - vi)]. 

1926.451(d)(11) - Swaged attachments or spliced eyes on wire suspension ropes shall not be used unless they are made by the wire rope manufacturer or a qualified person.

1926.451(d)(12) - When wire rope clips are used on suspension scaffolds:

• 1926.451(d)(12)(ii) - Clips shall be installed according to the manufacturer's recommendations;
• 1926.451(d)(12)(iii) - Clips shall be retightened to the manufacturer's recommendations after the initial loading;
• 1926.451(d)(12)(iv) - Clips shall be inspected and retightened to the manufacturer's recommendations at the start of each workshift thereafter;

1926.451(d)(18) - Two-point and multi-point suspension scaffolds shall be tied or otherwise secured to prevent them from swaying, as determined to be necessary based on an evaluation by a competent person. Window cleaners' anchors shall not be used for this purpose.

1926.451(d)(19) - Devices whose sole function is to provide emergency escape and rescue shall not be used as working platforms. This provision does not preclude the use of systems which are designed to function both as suspension scaffolds and emergency systems.

1926.451(e)(2) - Portable, hook-on, and attachable ladders (Additional requirements for the proper construction and use of portable ladders are contained in subpart X of this part - Stairways and Ladders): [Reference paragraph (e)(2)(i) - (vi)].

1926.451(e)(5)(i) - Ramps and walkways 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall have guardrail systems which comply with subpart M of this part - Fall Protection. 

1926.451(e)(6)(iii) - Not be used as work platforms when rungs are less than 11½ inches in length, unless each affected employee uses fall protection, or a positioning device, which complies with 1926.502 - fall protection systems criteria and practices.

1926.451(e)(9)(i) - The employer shall provide safe means of access for each employee erecting or dismantling a scaffold where the provision of safe access is feasible and does not create a greater hazard. The employer shall have a competent person determine whether it is feasible or would pose a greater hazard to provide, and have employees use a safe means of access. This determination shall be based on site conditions and the type of scaffold being erected or dismantled.

1926.451(f)(1) - Scaffolds and scaffold components shall not be loaded in excess of their maximum intended loads or rated capacities, whichever is less.

1926.451(f)(3) - Scaffolds and scaffold components shall be inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift, and after any occurrence which could affect a scaffold's structural integrity.

1926.451(f)(5) - Scaffolds shall not be moved horizontally while employees are on them, unless they have been designed by a registered professional engineer specifically for such movement or, for mobile scaffolds, where the provisions of 1926.452(w) - Additional requirements applicable to specific types of scaffolds, mobile scaffolds, are followed.

1926.451(f)(7) - Scaffolds shall be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered only under the supervision and direction of a competent person qualified in scaffold erection, moving, dismantling or alteration. Such activities shall be performed only by experienced and trained employees selected for such work by the competent person.

1926.451(f)(9) - Where swinging loads are being hoisted onto or near scaffolds such that the loads might contact the scaffold, tag lines or equivalent measures to control the loads shall be used.

1926.451(f)(12) - Work on or from scaffolds is 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 a personal fall arrest system or wind screens. Wind screens shall not be used unless the scaffold is secured against the anticipated wind forces imposed.

1926.451(g)(1) - Each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet (3.1 m) above a lower level shall be protected from falling to that lower level. Paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (vii) of this section establish the types of fall protection to be provided to the employees on each type of scaffold. Paragraph (g)(2) of this section addresses fall protection for scaffold erectors and dismantlers. 

1926.451(g)(2) - Effective September 2, 1997, the employer shall have a competent person determine the feasibility and safety of providing fall protection for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds. Employers are required to provide fall protection for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds where the installation and use of such protection is feasible and does not create a greater hazard. 

1926.451(g)(3) - In addition to meeting the requirements of 1926.502(d) - Fall protection systems criteria and practices, personal fall arrest systems used on scaffolds shall be attached by lanyard to a vertical lifeline, horizontal lifeline, or scaffold structural member. Vertical lifelines shall not be used when overhead components, such as overhead protection or additional platform levels, are part of a single-point or two-point adjustable suspension scaffold. [Reference paragraph (g)(3)(i) - (iv)].

1926.451(g)(4)(xiv) - Manila or plastic (or other synthetic) rope being used for toprails or midrails shall be inspected by a competent person as frequently as necessary to ensure that it continues to meet the strength requirements of paragraph (g) of this section.

1926.451(h)(1) - In addition to wearing hardhats each employee on a scaffold shall be provided with additional protection from falling hand tools, debris, and other small objects through the installation of toeboards, screens, or guardrail systems, or through the erection of debris nets, catch platforms, or canopy structures that contain or deflect the falling objects. When the falling objects are too large, heavy or massive to be contained or deflected by any of the above-listed measures, the employer shall place such potential falling objects away from the edge of the surface from which they could fall and shall secure those materials as necessary to prevent their falling.

Scope: This standard provides additional requirements pertaining to scaffolds. In addition to the applicable requirements of 1926.451 - general requirements, the following requirements apply to the specific types of scaffolds indicated. Scaffolds not specifically addressed by 1926.452, such as but not limited to systems scaffolds, must meet the requirements of 1926.451.

General Requirements: Registered professional engineer, personal fall arrest systems, qualified person, rated capacity, design, loading, tested, listed, nationally recognized testing laboratory, references other standards

1926.452(a)(10) - Pole scaffolds over 60 feet in height shall be designed by a registered professional engineer, and shall be constructed and loaded in accordance with that design. Non-mandatory appendix A - scaffold specifications, to this subpart contains examples of criteria that will enable an employer to comply with design and loading requirements for pole scaffolds under 60 feet in height.

1926.452(b)(2) - Tube and coupler scaffolds. Transverse bracing forming an “X” across the width of the scaffold shall be installed at the scaffold ends and at least at every third set of posts horizontally (measured from only one end) and every fourth runner vertically. Bracing shall extend diagonally from the inner or outer posts or runners upward to the next outer or inner posts or runners. Building ties shall be installed at the bearer levels between the transverse bracing and shall conform to the requirements of 1926.451(c)(1) - general requirements.

1926.452(b)(10) - Tube and coupler scaffolds over 125 feet in height shall be designed by a registered professional engineer, and shall be constructed and loaded in accordance with such design. Non-mandatory appendix A - scaffold specifications, to this subpart contains examples of criteria that will enable an employer to comply with design and loading requirements for tube and coupler scaffolds under 125 feet in height.

1926.451(c)(6) - Fabricated frame scaffolds. Scaffolds over 125 feet (38.0 m) in height above their base plates shall be designed by a registered professional engineer, and shall be constructed and loaded in accordance with such design.

1926.452(i)(8) - Outrigger scaffolds. Scaffolds and scaffold components shall be designed by a registered professional engineer and shall be constructed and loaded in accordance with such design.

1926.452(k)(2) - Ladder jack scaffolds. All ladders used to support ladder jack scaffolds shall meet the requirements of subpart X of this part - stairways and ladders,, except that job-made ladders shall not be used to support ladder jack scaffolds.

1926.452(n)(2) - Step, platform, and trestle ladder scaffolds. All ladders used in conjunction with step, platform and trestle ladder scaffolds shall meet the pertinent requirements of subpart X of this part - stairways and ladders, except that job-made ladders shall not be used to support such scaffolds.

1926.452(o)(2) - The supporting rope between the scaffold and the suspension device shall be kept vertical unless all of the following conditions are met: [Reference paragraph (o)(2)(i) - (iv)].

• 1926.452(o)(2)(i) - The rigging has been designed by a qualified person.

1926.452(p)(1) - Two-point adjustable suspension scaffolds (swing stages). Platforms shall not be more than 36 inches (0.9 m) wide unless designed by a qualified person to prevent unstable conditions.

1926.452(p)(2) - Two-point adjustable suspension scaffolds (swing stages). The platform shall be securely fastened to hangers (stirrups) by U-bolts or by other means which satisfy the requirements of 1926.451(a) - general requirements.

1926.452(p)(4) - Two-point adjustable suspension scaffolds (swing stages). Platforms shall be of the ladder-type, plank-type, beam-type, or light-metal type. Light metal-type platforms having a rated capacity of 750 pounds or less and platforms 40 feet (12.2 m) or less in length shall be tested and listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.

1926.452(w)(6)(ii) - Mobile scaffolds. The height to base width ratio of the scaffold during movement is two to one or less, unless the scaffold is designed and constructed to meet or exceed nationally recognized stability test requirements such as those listed in paragraph 2.(w) of appendix A - scaffold specifications, to this subpart.

1926.452(x)(5) - Repair bracket scaffolds. When a wire rope is placed around the structure in order to provide a safe anchorage for personal fall arrest systems used by employees erecting or dismantling scaffolds, the wire rope shall meet the requirements of subpart M - fall protection, of this part, but shall be at least 5⁄16 inch (0.8 cm) in diameter. 

1926.452(x)(6) - Repair bracket scaffolds. Each wire rope used for securing brackets in place or as an anchorage for personal fall arrest systems shall be protected from damage due to contact with edges, corners, protrusions, or other discontinuities of the supporting structure or scaffold components.

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for aerial lifts. 

Special Requirements: Tests, authorized persons, approved, inspected, nationally recognized testing laboratory, certified in writing, references other standards

1926.453(a)(1) - Unless otherwise provided in this section, aerial lifts acquired for use on or after January 22, 1973 shall be designed and constructed in conformance with the applicable requirements of the American National Standards for "Vehicle Mounted Elevating and Rotating Work Platforms," ANSI A92.2-1969, including appendix. Aerial lifts acquired before January 22, 1973 which do not meet the requirements of ANSI A92.2-1969, may not be used after January 1, 1976, unless they shall have been modified so as to conform with the applicable design and construction requirements of ANSI A92.2-1969. Aerial lifts include the following types of vehicle-mounted aerial devices used to elevate personnel to job-sites above ground: [Reference paragraph (a)(1)(i) - (v)].

1926.453(a)(2) - Aerial lifts may be "field modified" for uses other than those intended by the manufacturer provided the modification has been certified in writing by the manufacturer or by any other equivalent entity, such as a nationally recognized testing laboratory, to be in conformity with all applicable provisions of ANSI A92.2-1969 and this section and to be at least as safe as the equipment was before modification. 

1926.453(b)(2) - Extensible and articulating boom platforms. [Reference paragraph (b)(2)(i) - (xii)].

• 1926.453(b)(2)(i) - Lift controls shall be tested each day prior to use to determine that such controls are in safe working condition.
• 1926.453(b)(2)(ii) - Only authorized persons shall operate an aerial lift.
• 1926.453(b)(2)(xi) - Before moving an aerial lift for travel, the boom(s) shall be inspected to see that it is properly cradled and outriggers are in stowed position except as provided in paragraph (b)(2)(viii) of this section.

1926.453(b)(3) - Electrical tests. All electrical tests shall conform to the requirements of ANSI A92.2-1969 section 5. However equivalent d.c.; voltage tests may be used in lieu of the a.c. voltage specified in A92.2-1969; d.c. voltage tests which are approved by the equipment manufacturer or equivalent entity shall be considered an equivalent test for the purpose of this paragraph (b)(3). 

1926.453(b)(4) - Bursting safety factor. The provisions of the American National Standards Institute standard ANSI A92.2-1969, section 4.9 Bursting Safety Factor shall apply to all critical hydraulic and pneumatic components. Critical components are those in which a failure would result in a free fall or free rotation of the boom. All noncritical components shall have a bursting safety factor of at least 2 to 1.

1926.453(b)(5) - Welding standards. All welding shall conform to the following standards as applicable:  [Reference paragraph (b)(5)(i) - (iv)].

Scope: This standard provides the training requirements for scaffolds. This section supplements and clarifies the requirements of 1926.21(b)(2) - safety training and education, as these relate to the hazards of work on scaffolds.

Special Requirements: Training, qualified person, procedures, inspections, competent person, references other standards

1926.454(a) -The employer shall have each employee who performs work while on a scaffold trained by a person qualified in the subject matter to recognize the hazards associated with the type of scaffold being used and to understand the procedures to control or minimize those hazards. The training shall include the following areas, as applicable: [Reference paragraph (a)(1) - (5)].

1926.454(b) - The employer shall have each employee who is involved in erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, maintaining, or inspecting a scaffold trained by a competent person to recognize any hazards associated with the work in question. The training shall include the following topics, as applicable: [Reference paragraph (b)(1) - (4)].

1926.454(c) - When the employer has reason to believe that an employee lacks the skill or understanding needed for safe work involving the erection, use or dismantling of scaffolds, the employer shall retrain each such employee so that the requisite proficiency is regained. Retraining is required in at least the following situations: [Reference paragraph (c)(1) - (3)].