Scaffolds Checklist

These tailgate/toolbox talks were developed for use under California OSHA regulations. The complete set is available from the Labor Occupational Health Program at UC Berkeley. For ordering information, visit the website (www.lohp.org) The American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has adapted these talks to apply to federal OSHA regulations. To contact ACGIH, visit its web site (www.acgih.org).

Date Prepared:_________________________	By:_______________________
Project Name/No.______________________	Location:__________________

• Check the box if the statement is true.
  
  
• Fill in the blanks where the appears.
• Citations in brackets are from Title 8 of the California Administrative Code.

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

• The company has a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) that meets all Cal/OSHA requirements. It includes identification of potential scaffold safety hazards on the site, regular inspections, accident investigation, and correction of hazardous conditions. [1509]

PERMIT

• A Cal/OSHA permit has been obtained for erection or dismantling of any scaffold or falsework more than 3 stories (36 feet) high. [341(a)(2) and (a)(3)]

USE OF SCAFFOLDS

• No scaffolds are necessary on this job because all of the following are true: (1) the work is of a limited nature and short duration; (2) the fall distance is less than 15 feet; (3) adequate risk control exists; and (4) the work is under competent supervision. [1637(a)]
  
• No scaffolds are necessary on this job because all of the following are true: (1) the work is of short duration; (2) the work is on joists or similar members; and (3) the joists are centered 2 feet or closer with planking at least 12" wide. [1637(a)]
  
• Scaffolds are used. There is no permanent/solid construction at least 20" wide to stand on, and the work can't be done safely from ladders. [1637(a)]

THE QUALIFIED PERSON

• Scaffolds are erected and dismantled under the supervision of a qualified person. [1637(k)(1)]
  
• The qualified person has a certificate of competence in scaffold erection, dismantling, and use, issued by a trade association or state approved apprenticeship program. [1637(k)(1)] Or the qualified person has been identified by the company based on other experience or training, and is familiar with the operations to be performed and the hazards involved. [1504]

Name of qualified person:_____________________________

• Scaffolds are tagged to show that the qualified person has met his or her responsibilities.

PROHIBITED SCAFFOLDS

• No lean-to or jack scaffolds. [1637(j)]
  
• No shore scaffolds. [1637(j)]
  
• No nailed brackets. [1637(j)]
  
• No loose tile, brick, or blocks used in place of a scaffold. [1637(j)]
  
• No stilts. [1637(j)]

DESIGN OF THE SCAFFOLD

• Any wooden pole scaffold over 60 feet is designed by a registered civil engineer. [1643]
  
• Any tube and coupler scaffold over 125 feet is designed by a registered civil engineer. [1644(b)(5)]
  
• Any tubular welded frame scaffold over 125 feet is designated by a registered civil engineer. [1644(c)(7)]
  
• If an engineer designed the scaffold, the drawings are on site during the erection of the scaffold. [1637(k)(2)]
  
• Single or tiered horse scaffolds are not over 10 feet high. [1647(e)(1)]

MATERIALS AND PLANKING

• The scaffold uses stress grade lumber (or metal such as aluminum if structural integrity is maintained). [1637(b)]
  
• The wood is not cracked, warped, knotted, or defective. [1637(d)]
  
• All lumber is visually inspected for defects before and during use. No defective lumber is used. [1637(h)]
  
• The planking is at least 2" x 10" scaffold grade plank. [1637(f)(1)]
  
• The 2" x 10" spans no more than 10 feet if the working load is 25 pounds per square foot (light trades). It spans no more than 8 feet if the load is 50 psf (medium trades), or 7 feet for 75 psf (heavy trades). [1637(f)(2)]
  
• Manufactured planks longer than 10 feet are labeled with their maximum load. [1637(f)(3)]
  
• The platforms are planked solid, except open area under the back railing. [1640(b)(5)(A) and 1644(a)(7)]
  
• Planks don’t overhang their support by more than 18 inches unless access is prevented by a barrier. [1637(g)]
  
• Metal is not rusted or corroded.
  
• Nails are not smaller than 8-penny. [1637(i)(4)]
  
• Bolts are of a size and in sufficient number at each connection to develop the designed strength of the scaffold. [1637(r) and Plate B-31 in Appendix]

EXTENSION PLANKING:

• Has 5 fingers on each side and is at least 1" x 2-1/8" select straight-grained Douglas fir or equivalent. [1637(e)(1)]
  
• Is not longer than 12½ feet, with overlap between the 2 halves not less than 1/8 the length of the extended planking. A substantial stop is provided to maintain this overlap. [1637(e)(2)]
  
• Is not used as a platform on ladder-jack, suspended, or other unstable scaffolds. [1637(e)(4)]

ERECTION AND DISMANTLING OF THE SCAFFOLD

• Each level is maintained plumb.
  
• Scaffolds are built from the bottom up and dismantled from the top down. [1637(k)(3) and (4)]
  
• The scaffold is secured to the structure during erection. Ties to the structure are installed as soon as the scaffold is completed to each tie-in area. [1637(k)(3)]
  
• The scaffold is secured to the structure during dismantling. Ties are removed only as the work progresses downward, unless other methods are used to prevent the scaffold from falling over. [1637(k)(4)]
  
• The Scaffold is secured to the structure during dismantling. Ties are removed only as the work progresses downward, unless other methods are used to prevent the scaffold from falling over. [1637(k)(4)]
  
• When dismantling, structural members are not removed below the level being dismantled. [1637(k)(5)]
  
• If platforms are sloped, the slope is no more than 2 feet vertical to 10 feet horizontal. Platforms are also secured so they can’t slip from supports. [1637(o)]
  
• When a platform turns a corner, planks are laid so as to avoid tipping. [1637(t)]

INTEGRITY OF SCAFFOLD

• Braces, uprights, or supports are not removed unless other members of equivalent strength are substituted. [1637(l)]
  
• The scaffold is not overloaded. [1637(m)]
  
• Planks are capable of sustaining the load. [1637(f)(4)]
  
• The scaffold is tied off and secure. [1637(c)]

ACCESS

• There are safe, unblocked means of access to all scaffold platforms (such as a ladder, walkway, or stairs). [1637(n)(1)]
  
• Ladders or stairways are located so as not to make the scaffold unstable. [1637(n)(2)]
  
• If a ladder is used for access, it is securely attached to the scaffold and extends at least 3 feet above the platform level. [1637(n)(2)(A)]

GUARDRAILS

• There are top rails, between 42" and 45" high, for all open sides and ends that are 7½ feet high or more. Rails are constructed of 2" x 4", double 1" x 4", or equivalent. [1620(a) and (c)]
  
• There are midrails halfway between the work platform and the guardrail. Midrails are constructed of at least 1" x 6" or equivalent. [1620(a) and (c)]
  
• There are vertical posts spaced at 8 foot intervals or closer. Posts are constructed of 2" x 4" or equivalent. [1620(b)]
  
• Guardrails will withstand at least 13 pounds per linear foot. [1620(f)]
  
• There are toeboards at least 4 inches high on all open sides and ends of platforms if there are workers below. If material is piled high, there are also panels or screens. [1621(b) and (c)]

WORKING ON THE COMPLETED SCAFFOLD

• No one is permitted to work on a scaffold in slippery conditions (unless a necessary part of work). [1637(p)]
  
• There is protection from overhead hazards. [1637(q)]
  
• Only one person at a time may work on extension planking over 3 feet high. [1637(e)(3)]

WOODEN POLE SCAFFOLDS—HEAVY TRADES

• A wooden pole scaffold meets the Cal/OSHA requirements below for heavy trades if it is used by bricklayers, stonemasons, concrete workers, or other trades using heavy tools or materials. [1641(a)] The load on this scaffold, including workers, does not exceed 75 pounds per square foot. [1504]
  
• Uprights are a minimum of 4" by 4" lumber for scaffolds of 20 feet or less. For scaffolds over 20 feet, uprights are at least 4" by 6". Uprights are spaced no more than 7 feet apart in the direction parallel to the wall, and are secured against slippage. If the uprights are placed on the earth, they are secured to a wooden base at least 2" x 10" x 10". [1641(c)]
  
• Platforms are not more than 4 feet wide, and are made from at least 2" x 10" lumber, laid closely together. They are within 14" of the face of the building (7" for bricklayers and stonemasons). Platforms are supported by ledgers and ribbons, nailed or bolted to the uprights. Planks are either butt-ended and nailed to the ledgers, or they overlap the ledgers at each end by at least 6". A plank does not overlap an unsupported end of another plank. [1641(d) and (g)]
  
• Scaffolds are rigidly tied to the building or structure by means of a double looped No. 12 iron wire, or single looped No. 10 iron wire, or equivalent or stronger material. Ties are connected to the inside uprights and are not more than 15 feet apart horizontally or vertically. [1641(f)(1)]
  
• Scaffolds are diagonally braced with 1" by 6" boards, and are secured to prevent swaying, tipping, or collapsing. [1641(f)(2)]

WOODEN POLE SCAFFOLDS—LIGHT TRADES

• A wooden pole scaffold meets the Cal/OSHA requirements below for light trades if it is used only by carpenters, lathers, shinglers, painters, plasterers, sheet metal workers, or others not using heavy tools or materials. [1640(a)] The load on this scaffold, including workers, does not exceed 25 pounds per square foot. [1504]
  
• Uprights are a minimum of 2" by 4" lumber for scaffolds of 20 feet or less. For scaffolds over 20 feet, uprights are at least 3" by 4". Uprights are spaced no more than 10’ apart in the direction parallel to the wall, and are secured against slippage. The inner row of uprights may be replaced by attaching the scaffold to the permanent structure. If the uprights are placed on the earth, they are secured to a wooden base at least 2" x 10" x 10". [1640(b) and (c)]
  
• Platforms are at least 20" wide and are made from at least 2" x 10" lumber, laid closely together, or from 3/4" Douglas fir plywood. They are within 14" of the face of the building. Platforms are supported by ledgers and ribbons, nailed or bolted to the uprights. A plank does not overlap an unsupported end of another plank. [1640(b) and (c)]
  
• Scaffolds are rigidly tied to the building or structure by means of a double looped No. 12 iron wire, or single looped No. 10 iron wire, or equivalent or stronger material. Ties are connected to the inside uprights and are not more than 20 feet apart horizontally or vertically. [1640(b)(3)]
  
• Scaffolds are diagonally braced with 1" by 6" boards, and are secured to prevent swaying, tipping, or collapsing. [1640(b) and (c)]

Requirements for other types of scaffolds can be found in the following Cal/OSHA Construction Safety Orders: