

Provides non-mandatory guidelines to assist employers in complying with the requirements of subpart L of this part. 21(b)(2) as these relate to the hazards of work on scaffolds. Supplements and clarifies the requirements of.

1926.452, Additional requirements applicable to specific types of scaffolds.1926.450, Scope, application and definitions applicable to this subpart.This section highlights OSHA standards, preambles to final rules (background to final rules), Federal Register notices (rules, proposed rules), directives (instruction to OSHA staff), and letters of interpretation (official letters of interpretation of the standards) related to scaffolding. Scaffolding hazards are addressed in specific standards for the construction industry. Hazards are identified, as well as the controls that keep these hazards from becoming tragedies. Provides illustrated safety checklists for specific types of scaffolds.

This eTool contains information that helps workers identify and control the hazards that cause the most serious construction-related injuries. Construction can be a safe occupation when workers are aware of the hazards, and an effective Safety and Health Program is used. This is one of OSHA's Strategic Management Plan Focus Areas. These incidents can be avoided by compliance with OSHA standards.

Scaffold incidents causing injury or death to workers is often the result of either the planking or support giving way, by the worker slipping, the absence of fall protection, or being struck by a falling object. Protecting these workers from scaffold-related incidents can prevent injuries and deaths attributed to falls from scaffolding each year. In addition, on large frame systems, the inspection is only required for those scaffold areas that will be used by employees during the next work shift.Millions of workers in the construction industry work on scaffolds. However, this does not mean that the original builder/ contractor of the scaffold must inspect the scaffold daily. Given the importance of detecting defects in scaffolds and scaffold components, OSHA believes that all scaffolds need to be inspected at the times specified. OSHA requires the general contractor in section 1926.451(f)(3) to have scaffolds and scaffold components inspected for visible defects by a competent person prior to each work shift and after any occurrence which could affect a scaffold's structural integrity. This is in response to your letter of June 12, 1997, to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requesting an interpretation of the requirements in paragraph 1926.451 for the daily inspection of scaffolds.
