Scaffold Safety Awareness

Scaffolds are:
• Temporary elevated structures that are used as platforms for supporting workers and
equipment
• Usually erected on-site

When adequately maintained and set up correctly, scaffolds are a valuable tool to ensure your
safety and allow you to be more efficient when accomplishing your work.

Classifications
There are three basic scaffold classifications:
• SUPPORTED SCAFFOLDS are platforms supported by legs, outrigger beams,
brackets, poles, frames or similar rigid support
• SUSPENDED SCAFFOLDS contain one or more platforms suspended by ropes or
other non-rigid means from an overhead structure
• ROLLING SCAFFOLDS are similar to supported scaffolds but are mounted on wheels.

Hazards
Common scaffold hazards include:
• Falls from elevation, due to the lack of fall protection
• Collapse of the scaffold, caused by unstable footing, improper construction and
overloading of materials and equipment
• Being struck by falling tools, work materials or debris
• Electrocution, due to overhead power lines
• Clutter, spills, wet or freezing conditions that cause slips, trips or falls

Safety Principles
A competent person should:
• Identify existing and predictable hazards
• Take prompt corrective measures to eliminate hazards

Design and Construction

Scaffolds should be:
• Erected under the supervision of a competent person
• Constructed and loaded in accordance with their design

Pre-planning includes:
• Determining the type of scaffold necessary for the job
• Determining the maximum load of the scaffold
• Ensuring a good foundation
• Avoiding electrical hazards

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 User Responsibilities
• Inspect all scaffolds, scaffold components and personal fall protection equipment before
each use
o Defective components must be removed from service and replaced
o Do not use a scaffold that has defective or missing parts
• Shield scaffold suspension ropes and harness system droplines (lifelines) from hot or
corrosive processes, and protect them from sharp edges or abrasion
• Wear fall protection in accordance with your organization's policies and regulatory
guidelines; WARNING: The use of body belts for fall arrest is prohibited

Guidelines
Guard Railing
• The top rail should be at least 2x4 (50x100 mm) lumber or the equivalent and must be:
o At least 3 ½ feet (1 m) high
o Able to withstand a force of 200 pounds (90 kg) of pressure (down and out)
• Intermediate rails (mid-rails) should be made from 1x6 (25x150 mm) lumber or its
equivalent and installed approximately halfway between the top rail and the platform
surface
• The toeboard helps keep tools and material from falling off the scaffold and should be at
least 3 ½ inches (8.9 cm) high
• To make sure the scaffold is rigid, space support posts for guard railing no more than 8
feet (2.4 m) apart

Overhead Protection
• If workers are exposed to falling objects, employers must provide overhead protection
• Power lines near scaffolds are dangerous! Make sure the power company has shut off
the electricity before a scaffold is erected where a worker might approach the lines

Other Guidelines
• When hoisting materials onto a scaffold, attach a tag line to safely control the load and
keep it from swinging and striking someone or damaging the scaffold
• Keep the work platform clear of tools, materials and debris that could cause tripping or
overload scaffolds
• Do NOT work on scaffolds that are covered with ice and snow – except to remove the
ice and snow

Proper scaffold maintenance is important:

• Check metal on scaffolds for rust (can weaken the structure)
• Do not use damaged parts
• If a scaffold is damaged in any way, don't use it until it's repaired or replaced

This job aid is intended to provide you with supplemental information associated with UL courseware.
© COPYRIGHT Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.

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 Types of Scaffolds
The most common types of scaffolds are:
• Supported • Rolling • Suspended

Supported Scaffolds
• Made of wood or metal supports and are built up higher as the work progresses
• Vertical members must be straight up and down and the horizontal members completely
level
• Cross bracing or diagonal bracing or both will keep the scaffold erect, level and rigid
• Never climb on the cross bracing of a scaffold
• Make sure the footing and anchorage for built-up scaffolds are sound, rigid and strong
enough to support four times the maximum intended load
• Never use unstable objects such as barrels, boxes, loose bricks or concrete blocks as
support for scaffolds or planks
• Supported scaffolds should be secured to the building or structure
• The maximum work height should not be more than four times the smallest dimension
of its base
• A ladder must be provided for safe access to the scaffold platform

Rolling Scaffolds
• Similar to supported scaffolds but are mounted on wheels
• To prevent tipping, the maximum work height of a rolling scaffold should not be more
than four times the smallest dimension of its base
• Rolling scaffold wheels have a lock to prevent unexpected movement
• Wheels should be designed for use on smooth and level surfaces
• Never move the scaffold while people are working on it

Suspended Scaffolds
There are light duty, medium duty and heavy duty scaffolds, each designed for a specific
requirement and use.

The general guidelines for two-point suspended scaffolds, or swinging stages, are that:
• Each employee working from a two-point suspended scaffold should be tied off to an
independent safety line
• Wire ropes used to suspend such scaffolds should be able to withstand a load that is six
times the load it is intended to support

Operating Procedures
• Only approved scaffolds should be used
• Do not use barrels, boxes, rebar or other makeshift substitutes for scaffolds
• Scaffold planks should be cleated or tied together with tie wire if the plank sticks over
the support less than 6 inches (15 cm) or more than 12 inches (30 cm)
• Visually inspect all scaffold planks before each use
• Damaged scaffold planks should be destroyed immediately

This job aid is intended to provide you with supplemental information associated with UL courseware.
© COPYRIGHT Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.

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 • All scaffold planks should be at least 9 to 12 inches (23-30 cm) wide
• Adequate mud sills or other rigid footing, capable of withstanding the maximum
intended load, should be provided
• Use diagonal bracing on all support components
• Do not overload scaffolds
• Use a screen or netting when scaffolds are erected over walkways
• Ladders must be used as a means of entry onto and exit off of the scaffold
• Gates should be incorporated in the scaffold design where possible

Rope Shielding
• Each scaffold and scaffold component should be capable of supporting its own weight
plus at least four times the maximum intended load without failure
• Each suspension wire rope should be capable of supporting at least six times the
maximum intended load
• Wire ropes should be made from material that is not adversely affected by heat or by
acids or other corrosives
• Suspension wire ropes and droplines for fall protection systems should be shielded from
heat-producing processes, acids or other corrosive substances, sharp edges or
abrasions, and electrical component or system contact

Inspections
A competent person must:
• Inspect all scaffolds and scaffold components for visible defects before each use
• Supervise when scaffolds must be erected, moved, dismantled or altered

Each worker is responsible for inspecting each of the following before use:
• Scaffolds and components
• All components of personal fall protection equipment

REMEMBER: Any visibly damaged or worn equipment must be removed from service
immediately.

When making inspections, consider the weight the scaffold is to carry.

• A scaffold should be capable of supporting four times the maximum intended load
• The load includes the weight of the people on the scaffold and any supplies and
equipment being used

This job aid is intended to provide you with supplemental information associated with UL courseware.
© COPYRIGHT Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.

T : 1.888.202.3016 / W : ulehssustainability.com