# OSHA Scaffolding Safety Standards - 29 CFR 1926.451

## General Requirements

### Scope and Application:
This standard applies to all scaffolds used in construction work, including supported scaffolds, suspended scaffolds, and other scaffolding systems.

### Competent Person Requirements:
- Must supervise scaffold erection, movement, dismantling, or alteration
- Capable of identifying hazards and taking corrective action
- Authority to stop work when unsafe conditions exist

## Capacity and Loading

### Load Requirements:
- **Light duty**: 25 lbs/sq ft working load + 4:1 safety factor
- **Medium duty**: 50 lbs/sq ft working load + 4:1 safety factor  
- **Heavy duty**: 75 lbs/sq ft working load + 4:1 safety factor

### Platform Loading:
- Maximum intended load must not exceed rated capacity
- Load must be distributed evenly
- Account for workers, materials, tools, and equipment

### Design Requirements:
- Designed by qualified person when exceeding certain heights
- Design calculations maintained on job site
- Load testing may be required for certain configurations

## Platform Construction

### Platform Width:
- Minimum 18 inches wide for most scaffolds
- May be reduced to 16 inches for certain specific applications
- Cannot be less than 16 inches in any case

### Platform Materials:
- **Solid sawn wood planks**: Minimum 2-inch nominal thickness
- **Fabricated scaffold planks**: Meet manufacturer specifications
- **Metal platforms**: Designed for intended loads
- **Other materials**: Must meet equivalent strength requirements

### Platform Gaps and Openings:
- Maximum gap of 1 inch between platform and uprights
- Gaps over 9½ inches must be covered or guarded
- Openings must not allow objects to fall through

### Platform Support:
- Must extend over support at least 6 inches
- Cannot extend over support more than 12 inches
- Must be secured to prevent movement

## Access Requirements

### General Access:
- Provided where cross-braces create access points
- Portal frames, stair units, or ladder access required
- Cannot climb cross-braces for access

### Stair Access:
- Required for scaffolds with vertical height changes over 2 feet
- Stair width minimum 18 inches
- Rise height 6¼ to 9½ inches
- Run depth minimum 8 inches

### Ladder Access:
- Rungs aligned with scaffold platform
- Side rails extend 3 feet above landing
- Secured top and bottom
- Horizontal ladder access acceptable in some cases

## Fall Protection

### Fall Protection Required:
- All platforms more than 10 feet above lower level
- Some specific scaffold types require protection at 6 feet
- Must use guardrail systems, personal fall arrest, or both

### Guardrail Systems:
- Top rail height: 38-45 inches above platform
- Mid rail height: Approximately 21 inches
- Top rail capable of withstanding 200 lbs force
- End strength requirements for uprights

### Personal Fall Arrest:
- Anchorage capable of 5,000 lbs per person
- Full body harness required
- Lanyard or connecting device limits free fall
- Avoid swing hazards

## Specific Scaffold Types

### Tube and Coupler Scaffolds:
- Tubes and fittings must meet strength requirements
- Connections properly tightened
- Bracing requirements for stability
- Maximum spacing requirements

### Frame Scaffolds:
- Manufactured frame components
- Proper cross-bracing installation
- Platform securement requirements
- Base plate and mudsill requirements

### Outrigger Scaffolds:
- Limited platform extension beyond support
- Counterweight or tie-back requirements
- Platform width limitations
- Load capacity restrictions

### Mobile Scaffolds:
- Height-to-base ratio limitations
- Caster and wheel requirements
- Stabilization when in use
- Movement restrictions with workers present

## Supported Scaffold Requirements

### Foundation and Base:
- Level, sound, and capable of supporting loads
- Use base plates and mudsills when required
- Adequate size and thickness of mudsills
- Level platforms within tolerances

### Vertical Members:
- Plumb within manufacturer tolerances
- Proper connections at joints
- Adequate bearing surfaces
- Bracing requirements met

### Horizontal Members:
- Level within specified tolerances
- Proper connection to vertical members
- Load distribution capabilities
- Structural integrity maintained

## Suspended Scaffold Requirements

### Suspension Methods:
- Wire rope properly sized and maintained
- Suspension points engineered for loads
- Safety factors for all suspension components
- Regular inspection requirements

### Counterweights:
- Properly sized for intended loads
- Secured to prevent displacement
- Material specifications
- Placement requirements

### Personal Fall Arrest on Suspended Scaffolds:
- Independent lifeline required
- Separate anchorage from scaffold support
- Full body harness mandatory
- Qualified person supervision

## Inspection Requirements

### Daily Inspections:
- Before each work shift
- After any occurrence that could affect integrity
- By competent person
- Document deficiencies and corrections

### Inspection Checklist:
- Platform integrity and securement
- Guardrail systems completeness
- Access provisions adequacy
- Structural connections tightness
- Foundation stability

### Defective Components:
- Remove from service immediately
- Tag as unusable
- Repair or replace before use
- Re-inspect after repair

## Training Requirements

### Topics Must Include:
- Recognition of applicable hazards
- Procedures to control hazards
- Proper use of personal fall arrest systems
- Materials handling on scaffolds
- Maximum intended loads

### Who Must Be Trained:
- Workers who work on scaffolds
- Workers who erect, dismantle, move, or alter scaffolds
- Competent persons supervising scaffold work

### Documentation:
- Training records maintained
- Competent person qualifications documented
- Retraining when procedures change

## Common Violations and Best Practices

### Most Common Citations:
1. Missing or inadequate fall protection
2. Improper scaffold access
3. Platform construction deficiencies
4. Inadequate foundations
5. Missing competent person supervision

### Safety Best Practices:
- Pre-planning scaffold installations
- Using manufacturer instructions
- Regular competent person inspections
- Proper material handling procedures
- Weather-related precautions

### Documentation Requirements:
- Inspection records
- Design calculations when required
- Training documentation
- Incident reports

## Weather and Environmental Considerations

### Wind Conditions:
- Work restrictions based on wind speed
- Tie-down requirements
- Platform material securement
- Weather monitoring procedures

### Electrical Hazards:
- Minimum distances from power lines
- Grounding requirements when applicable
- Non-conductive materials where required
- Lockout/tagout procedures

### Other Hazards:
- Ice and snow removal
- Chemical exposure considerations
- Fire prevention measures
- Load shift prevention