Specific Requirements:

Scaffolds shall be constructed in accordance with the following paragraphs of this section, as appropriate [29 CFR 1926.452(d)]:

1. Pole scaffolds
2. Tube and coupler scaffolds
3. Fabricated frame scaffolds

Non-mandatory Guidelines:

The guidelines for pole scaffolds, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L Appendix A(2)(a), or tube and coupler scaffolds, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L Appendix A(2)(b), may be applied. [29 CFR 1926 Subpart L Appendix A(2)(d)]

Specific Requirements:

• Scaffolds made of wood must be reinforced with gussets on both sides of each corner. [29 CFR 1926.452(e)(1)]
• Diagonal braces must:
  • Be installed on all sides of each square. [29 CFR 1926.452(e)(2)]
  • Be installed between squares on the rear and front sides of the scaffold.
  • Extend from the bottom of each square to the top of the next square. [29 CFR 1926.452(e)(3)]
• Scaffolds must [29 CFR 1926.452(e)(4)]:
  • Be constructed and arranged so that one square rests directly above the other.
  • Not exceed three tiers in height.
• The upper tiers must [29 CFR 1926.452(e)(4)]:
  • Stand on a continuous row of planks laid across the next lower tier.
  • Be nailed down or otherwise secured to prevent displacement.

Non-mandatory Guidelines:

Specific Requirements:

• Scaffolds must not be more than 10 feet or two tiers in height, whichever is less. [29 CFR 1926.452(f)(1)]
• When horses are arranged in tiers:
  • Each horse must be placed directly over the horse in the tier below. [29 CFR 1926.452(f)(2)]
  • The legs of each horse must be nailed down or otherwise secured to prevent displacement. [29 CFR 1926.452(f)(3)]
  • Each tier must be crossbraced. [29 CFR 1926.452(f)(4)]

Non-mandatory Guidelines:

Specific Requirements:

• Each bracket, except those for wooden bracket-form scaffolds, must be attached to the supporting framework or structure by one or more of the following [29 CFR 1926.452(g)(1)]:
  • Nails
  • A metal stud attachment device
  • Welding
  • Hooking over a secured structural supporting member, with the form wales either:
    • Bolted to the form
    • Or secured by snap ties or tie bolts extending through the form.
    • Securely anchored
    • Or (for carpenters' bracket scaffolds only) by a bolt extending through to the opposite side of the structure's wall.
• Wooden bracket-form scaffolds must be an integral part of the form panel. [29 CFR 1926.452(g)(2)]
• Folding-type metal brackets, when extended for use, must be either [29 CFR 1926.452(g)(3)]:
  • Bolted
  • Secured with a locking-type pin

Non-mandatory Guidelines:

• Brackets are triangular-shaped frames made of either [29 CFR 1926 Subpart L Appendix A (2)(g)(1)]:
  • Wood with a cross-section not less than 2 x 3 inches.
  • Or structural angle iron measuring 1¼ inch x 1¼ inch x ⅛ inch.
• Bolts used to attach brackets to structures must not be less than ⅝ inch in diameter. [29 CFR 1926 Subpart L Appendix A (2)(g)(2)]
• Maximum bracket spacing is 8 feet on centers. [29 CFR 1926 Subpart L Appendix A (2)(g)(3)]
• No more than two employees may occupy any given 8 feet of a bracket or form scaffold at any one time. [29 CFR 1926 Subpart L Appendix A (2)(g)(4)]
• Tools and materials may not exceed 75 pounds in addition to the employees. [29 CFR 1926 Subpart L Appendix A (2)(g)(4)]

• Outrigger bearers shall consist of two pieces of 1 x 6 inch lumber nailed on opposite sides of the vertical support. [29 CFR 1926 Subpart L Appendix A (2)(g)(5)(i)]
• Bearers for wooden figure-four scaffolds must [29 CFR 1926 Subpart L Appendix A (2)(g)(5)(ii)]:
  • Be braced and secured to prevent tipping or turning.
  • Not project more than 3 feet 6 inches from the outside of the form support.
• The knee or angle brace must:
  • Intersect the bearer at least 3 feet from the form.
  • Be at approximately a 45° angle.
• The lower end of the knee or angle brace must be nailed to a vertical support. [29 CFR 1926 Subpart L Appendix A (2)(g)(5)(ii)]

Specific Requirements:

• Scaffold brackets must be constructed to [29 CFR 1926.452(h)(1)]:
  • Fit the pitch of the roof.
  • Provide a level of support for the platform.
• Brackets must be anchored in place by nails unless it is impractical to use nails. [29 CFR 1926.452(h)(2)]
• When nails are not used, brackets must be secured with first-grade manila rope of at least ¾-inch diameter, or equivalent. [29 CFR 1926.452(h)(2)]

Specific Requirements:

• Outrigger beams must be [29 CFR 1926.452(i)(4)]:
  • Secured in place to prevent movement.
  • Securely braced at the fulcrum point to prevent tipping.
• The inboard end of outrigger beams must be:
  • Not less than 1½ times the length of the outboard end, measured from the fulcrum point to the extreme anchorage point. [29 CFR 1926.452(i)(1)]
  • Securely anchored either by [29 CFR 1926.452(i)(5)]:
    • Braced struts bearing against sills in contact with the overhead beams or ceiling.
    • Tension members secured to the floor joists underfoot.
    • Or both
• The fulcrum point of outrigger beams must rest on secure bearings at least 6 inches in each horizontal dimension. [29 CFR 1926.452(i)(3)]
• Outrigger beams fabricated in the shape of an I-beam or channel beam must be placed so that the web section is vertical. [29 CFR 1926.452(i)(2)]
• The entire supporting structure must be securely braced to prevent any horizontal movement. [29 CFR 1926.452(i)(6)]
• To prevent their displacement, platform units must be [29 CFR 1926.452(i)(7)]:
  • Nailed
  • Bolted or
  • Otherwise secured to outriggers
• Scaffolds and scaffold components must be [29 CFR 1926.452(i)(8)]:
  • Designed by a registered professional engineer.
  • Constructed and loaded in accordance with that design.

Specific Requirements:

• Scaffolds must be securely attached to the window opening. [29 CFR 1926.452(l)(1)]
• Scaffolds must be used only for working at the window opening through which the jack is placed. [29 CFR 1926.452(l)(2)]
• Window jacks must not be used to support planks or other elements of scaffolding placed between one window jack and another. [29 CFR 1926.452(l)(3)]

Non-mandatory Guidelines:

• Not more than one employee at a time may occupy a window jack scaffold. [29 CFR 1926 Subpart L Appendix A (2)(l)]

Specific Requirements:

• Crawling boards must extend from the roof peak to the eaves when used in roof construction, repair, or maintenance. [29 CFR 1926.452(m)(1)]
• Crawling boards must be secured to the roof by [29 CFR 1926.452(m)(2)]:
  • Ridge hooks
  • Or by means that provide equivalent strength and durability.

Non-mandatory Requirements:

• Crawling boards must be not less than 10 inches wide and 1 inch thick. [29 CFR 1926 Subpart L Appendix A (2)(m)]
• Cleats on crawling boards must [29 CFR 1926 Subpart L Appendix A (2)(m)]:
  • Be equal in length to the width of the board.
  • Be spaced at equal intervals not to exceed 24 inches.
  • Have a minimum cross-sectional area of 1 x 1½ inches.

Specific Requirements:

• Scaffold platforms must be placed no higher than the second-highest rung or step of the ladder supporting the platform. [29 CFR 1926.452(n)(1)]
• All ladders used in step, platform and trestle ladder scaffolds must:
  • Meet the requirements of 29 CFR 1926 Subpart X (Stairways and Ladders), except that job-made ladders are not permitted. [29 CFR 1926.452(n)(2)]
  • Be prevented from slipping by how they are [29 CFR 1926.452(n)(3)]:
    • Placed
    • Fastened
    • Or equipped
• Scaffolds must not be bridged one to another. [29 CFR 1926.452(n)(4)]

Stilts means a pair of poles or similar supports with raised footrests, used to walk above the ground or above the working surface. They are often used for sheetrock installation as well as for painting and decorating and other tasks requiring walking mobility with increased height/reach.

General Requirements