Shipyard Employment eTool
Scaffolds (Staging) >> Painter's Suspended Staging
Painter's suspended scaffolds have a platform supported by bearers suspended by rope from overhead supports. They are arranged and operated to permit the raising or lowering of the platform to desired working positions.
This scaffold is not exclusive to painters. All workers may use this type of staging.
Note: Block and tackle is no longer a recommended method of hoisting and lowering this scaffold. Newer methods of ship repair and construction have greatly reduced the use of this type of scaffold.
Before reviewing this section, refer to the General scaffolding requirements.
- Supporting hooks must be no less than 7/8 inch in diameter and secured at all times. [29 CFR 1915.71(f)(1)]
- Support ropes have minimum diameter and strength requirements and must be properly rigid. [29 CFR 1915.71(f)(2)]
- Ropes must be examined before each operation. [29 CFR 1915.71(f)(3)]
- Stirrup and hangers of adequate strength must be supported by the suspension ropes. [29 CFR 1915.71(f)(4) and (f)(5)]
- Platforms shall be designed to supported by the stirrups and provided with guardrails. [29 CFR 1915.71(f)(6)]
- Bridging of two or more platforms is not permitted. [29 CFR 1915.71(f)(7)]
- The number of personnel permitted on the scaffold is determined by its size and safe working load. [29 CFR 1915.71(f)(8)]
- Painter's scaffold platforms must be ladder 29 CFR 1915.71(f)(11), plank (f)(12), or beam (f)(13) type and constructed in accordance with requirements. [29 CFR 1915.71(f)(10)]