INFORMATION SHEET CP/01/05

TITLE: Identify the Major Items to Consider when Performing a Scaffold Inspection.

INTRODUCTION

Ensuring the work place is a safe environment and as free from hazards as possible is
everyone's responsibility. When scaffolding is used on the job site, it must be thoroughly
inspected before each use, regardless of how thoroughly it was inspected during the
erection and immediately after the erection. The content of this Information Sheet provides
a checklist to follow when performing scaffold inspections. It is based on the content found
in OSHA regulations 1926.451, 452 and the Non-Mandatory Appendices. The format used
is that the OSHA regulation statements have been turned into a question.

SCAFFOLDING INSPECTION CHECKLIST Questions are based on 1926.451: a (capac-

ity), subpart b (platform construction), subpart c (criteria for supported scaffolds), subpart
e ( access), subpart f (use), subpart g (fall protection), subpart h (falling object protec-
tion) 1926.452: subpart b ( tube and coupler scaffolds), subpart c ( fabricated frame
scaffolds), subpart w (mobile scaffolds) and the Non Mandatory Appendices. The number
following the question tells you where to look for the OSHA regulation pertaining to the
question.
1926.451 General Requirements Yes No

Has the scaffold been constructed to maintain a safety factor of 4 to 1 (a 1)

Has the scaffold been designed by a qualified person? ( a 6)

Has the scaffold platform been fully planked with less than 1" between planks
or between planks and the uprights? (b 1 i )

Where the employer can demonstrate the necessity, is the gap between the
last plank and the uprights less than 9 1/2 inches (b 1 ii)

Are all platforms at least 18 inches wide? (b 2)

Are platforms that are less than 18 inches protected by guardrail systems or
will all employees have personal fall arrest systems? ( b 2 ii)

Are open sides of scaffold less than 14 inches from the face of the work? (b 3)

Where open sides of scaffolds are more 14 inches will fall protection
systems be used by all employees? (b 3)

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 Yes No
For scaffolds that will be used for lathing and plastering is the platform less
than 18 inches from the face of the work? (b 3 ii)

Are all platform units cleated, restrained by hooks or equivalent means, or

extending over the center line of their supports by at least 6 inches? (b 4)

Are platforms of 10 feet or less extending over their end supports no more
than 12 inches? (b 5 i)

Where platforms of 10 feet or less extend more than 12 inches have guard-
rails been installed to block access to the overhang? (b 5 i)

Are platforms of 10 feet or more extending over their end supports no more
than 18 inches? (b 5 ii)

Where platforms of 10 feet or more extend more than 18 inches have guard-
rails been installed to block access to the overhang? (b 5 i)

Are abutted planks resting on separate support surfaces? (b 6)

Where planks are overlapped are they lapped over the supports? (b7)

Are planks overlapped at least 12 inches, nailed together or otherwise

secured? (b7)

Are planks that rest on the bearer at other than a 90 degree angle laid
first? (b 8)

Are the top and bottom surfaces of the plank visible and free from paint and
other opaque finishes? (b 9)

If scaffold components of different manufacturers are used, do they fit together

without force and has a competent person determined that they are safe for
use? (b 10)

Has the use of dissimilar metals (if any) been evaluated by a competent
person? (b 11)

THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ARE FROM SUBPART C 1926.451 (c)

Does the scaffold conform to the 4 to 1 base to height ratio requirement? (c 1)

Scaffolds that do not meet the 4 to1 base to height ratio must be secured to the
structure by use of ties (to include ties, guying, bracing or equivalent means)
as follows:

Has the tie been installed at a horizontal member that supports the inner
and outer legs? (c 1 i)
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 Yes No
Has the first vertical tie been installed at a height less than 4 times the
minimum base dimension? (c 1 ii)

Have vertical ties been repeated every 20 feet or less for scaffolds that are 3
feet or less in width? (c 1 ii)

Have vertical ties been repeated every 26 feet or less for scaffolds wider than
3 feet? (c 1 ii)

Is the vertical distance from the top tie to the top of the scaffold less than the
4 to 1 minimum base dimension? (c 1 ii)

Are ties installed at each end of the scaffold and at horizontal distances not to
exceed 30 feet? (c 1 ii)

Where eccentric loads are imposed have ties been installed to counteract
these loads? (c 1 iii)

Are scaffolds erected on adequate firm footings?(c 2 )

Are footings capable of supporting 4 times the intended load without

settling? (c 2 i)

Is the use of unstable objects prohibited for footings? (c 2 ii)

Is scaffold plumb and braced to prevent swaying or displacement? (c 3)

THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS APPLY TO ACCESS FROM 1926.451(e)

Has safe access been provided for all scaffold platforms that are more
than 2 feet above or below the point of access? (e 1)

Have cross braces been prohibited as a means of access? (e 1)

If used; do portable ladders (i.e. extension or free-standing) meet the specific

requirements of 1926 Subpart X

Are ladders positioned so as not to tip the scaffold? (e 2 i)

Is the bottom rung less than 24 inches above the supporting surface? (e 2 ii)

Are rest platforms installed every 35 feet vertically? (e 2 iii)

THE FOLLOWING APPLIES TO HOOK ON AND ATTACHABLE LADDERS

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 Yes No
Are the ladders specifically designed for use with the type of scaffold
used? (e 2 iv)

Do the ladders have a minimum rung length of 11 1/2 inches? (e 2 v)

Is the rung spacing uniform and no more than 16 3/4 inches between
rungs? (e 2 vi)

THE FOLLOWING APPLIES TO LADDER RUNGS BUILT INTO THE FRAME:

Integral prefabricated scaffold access frames shall conform to the following:

Was the frame designed and built to be used as an access ladder? (e 6 i)

Are the rungs at least 8 inches in length? (e 6 ii)

Are rungs uniformly spaced within each frame section? (e 6 iv)

Are rest platforms provided every 35 feet? (e 6 v)

Is the distance between the rungs less than 16 3/4 inches? (e 6 vi)

Do rungs and steps of ladders line up vertically between the rest decks? (e 7)

Is direct access from other structures prohibited when that distance is

more than 24 inches vertically or 14 inches horizontally? (e 8)

THE FOLLOWING APPLIES TO SCAFFOLD USE FROM 1926.451(F)

Are scaffolds and components loaded within their rated capacities? (f 1)

Is the use of shore or lean to scaffolds prohibited? (f 2)

Has the scaffold been inspected by a competent person as required? (f 3)

Has any damaged part of the scaffold been repaired, replaced or removed as
required? (f 4)

Has the movement of occupied scaffolds been prohibited? (unless designed

by a registered professional engineer) (f 5)

Do scaffolds and any conductive material handled on them observe the proper
clearances from power lines? (f 6) REFER TO DISTANCES AS SHOWN IN
1925.451 (F) (6)

Are slippery conditions removed as soon as possible? (f 8)

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 Yes No

Are tag lines used to control loads being hoisted onto or near scaffolds? (f 9)

If storms or high winds are present has a competent person been

consulted and wind screens or personal fall arrest used? (f 12)

Are tools, material, and debris removed from scaffold to prevent

an accumulation? (f 13)

Has the use of makeshift devices to increase the working level height been
prohibited? (f 14)

Are ladders on top of scaffold decks prohibited? (f 15) check 1926.451 (f)(15)
(i,ii,iii, and iv) for criteria that will allow for ladders on scaffold decks.

Have provisions to prevent platforms from deflecting more than

1/60th of the span been made? (f 16)

THE FOLLOWING APPLIES TO FALL PROTECTION 1926.451 (g)

Are guardrails used on all scaffolds over 10 feet in height?

Are personal fall arrest systems used where guardrails are not feasible?

Are guardrails and midrails installed on all open sides (more than 14" from
the work surface?

Are guardrails installed at 38 to 45 inches in height? (g 4 ii)

When mesh or screens are installed do they extend from the top of the
guardrail to the platform? (g 4 v)

Will the guardrails withstand 200 pounds in a downward or outward direction?

THE FOLLOWING APPLIES TO FALLING OBJECT PROTECTION

1926.451 (h)

Have falling object hazards been eliminated according to 1926.451 (h)

Have toeboards been installed to prevent falling objects? (h 2 ii)

Where required, have screens been installed to protect employees from

falling objects? (h 2 iii)

Are toeboards at least 3 1/2 inches in height? (h 4 ii)

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 Yes No
THE FOLLOWING APPLIES TO TUBE AND COUPLER SCAFFOLDS
1926.452 (b)

Is "X" bracing installed on the ends of the scaffold and every third set of posts
horizontally and every fourth runner vertical? (b 2)

Are ties installed at the bearer level? (b 2)

Is longitudinal bracing installed at a 45 degree angle on both faces of

the scaffold? (b 3)

Does the longitudinal bracing extend from the first (left hand) post to the
extreme top of the scaffold? (b 3)

If the scaffold is longer than five posts, is a new line of bracing begun at every
fifth post? (b 3)

Is bracing installed as close as is possible to the node point? (b 3)

Are the bearers attached to both posts and does the inboard coupler rest on
the runner coupler? (b 5)

If bearers are attached to the runners is the bearer as close as is possible

to the posts? (b 5)

Do the ends of the bearer tube have full contact within the clamp? (b 6)

Are runners installed on the inside and outside of the scaffold at level
heights? (b 7)

If outside runners are left out, are there midrails and guardrails above
and below the point where the runner would have been? (b 7)

Are runners interlocked and coupled to each post? (b 8)

Are the bottom runners as close to the base as possible? (b 8)

Do light and medium-duty scaffolds have posts, runners, bearers and braces
of 2" O.D. steel tubing? Appendix A table (b)

Are posts on light-duty scaffolds spaced no more than 4' apart by

10' along the length of the scaffold? Appendix A table (b)

Are posts on medium-duty scaffolds spaced no more than 4' apart by

7' along the length of the scaffold? Appendix A table (b)

Is the maximum vertical runner spacing of 6'6"? Appendix A table (b)

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If the maximum number of planked levels, working levels, or height exceed
those shown in table b are drawings done by a registered professional
engineer? Appendix A(2) table (b)

1926.452 (c) Fabricated frame scaffolds

Are frames secured by braces which secure the vertical members

laterally? (c 2)

Do the braces automatically square and align the frames? (c 2)

Are all brace connections secured? (c 2)

Are frames joined together by coupling pins or equivalent means? (c 3)

Where uplift may occur are the frames locked together? (c 4)

Has the use of side brackets and their impact on the overall scaffold
been fully evaluated? (b 5 i, ii, and iii)

Have scaffolds over 125 feet in height been constructed and loaded
according to design of a registered professional engineer? (b 6

1926.452 (w) mobile scaffolds

Are frames secured by braces which secure the vertical members

laterally? (w 1)

Do the braces automatically square and align the frames? (w 1)

Are all brace connections secured? (w 1)

Do scaffolds constructed of tube and clamp meet the requirements of

that type of scaffold? (w 1 i)

Do scaffolds constructed of frame scaffolding meet the requirements of

that type of scaffold? (w 1 ii)

Are casters locked during use? (w 2)

Is the manual force used to move the scaffold applied as close to the base as
possible? (w 3)

Are scaffolds stabilized to prevent tipping during movement? (w 5)

Are casters pinned into the frames or adjustment screws? (w 9)

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OSHA 1926.452 (w) (6) does allow employees to ride on rolling towers
while the tower is being moved under certain criteria. These criteria are
listed in section (w) (6). However, the Scaffold Training Institute does not
recommend this practice.

If rolling scaffolds are being moved with employes on board, are all
the criteria of 452(W) met?

ADD ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS SPECIFIC TO YOUR COMPANY

IN THE SPACE BELOW.

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