Scaffold and ladder specifications

Under 1915.118, independent-pole scaffold poles for light duty up to 24 feet must be 2 × 4 inches. See the dimensions in Table E–1 of 1915.118.

• This value is for "Light duty (Up to 25 pounds per square foot) — Height ≤24 ft" as shown in Table E–1.
• Follow the full 1915.118 scaffold specifications when selecting other members (bearers, ledgers, braces) to ensure the complete scaffold meets the listed dimensions.

Under 1915.118, for heavy duty (25 to 75 psf) with height >40 and ≤60 feet, poles (uprights) must be 4 × 6 inches. See Table E–1 in 1915.118.

• Heavy-duty columns in Table E–1 specify progressively larger members as height increases; confirm other member sizes (bearers, ledgers, braces) in the same row before building the scaffold.

Under 1915.118, Table E–1 requires bearers (members that support the platform) to be:

• 2 × 8 inches for heavy duty (25–75 psf) at heights ≤24 feet;
• 2 × 8 inches for heavy duty at heights >24 and ≤40 feet; and
• 2 × 10 inches for heavy duty at heights >40 and ≤60 feet.

See the bearer column in Table E–1 of 1915.118 for these values and ensure the rest of the scaffold components match the table.

Under 1915.118, pole spacing requirements in Table E–1 are:

• Longitudinal (along scaffold): 7½ ft for light duty (all heights listed) and 7 ft for heavy duty (all heights listed).
• Transverse (across scaffold): for light duty minimums are 6½ ft (≤24 ft height), 7½ ft (>24≤40 ft), and 8½ ft (>40≤60 ft); for heavy duty the transverse spacing is 6½ ft (≤24 ft) and 10 ft for both >24≤40 ft and >40≤60 ft.

See the spacing rows in Table E–1 of 1915.118 for the complete grid and apply the appropriate row for your duty rating and scaffold height.

Under 1915.118, Table E–1 requires ledger vertical spacing of 7 feet for light-duty scaffolds (all heights shown) and 4½ feet for heavy-duty scaffolds (all heights shown). See the ledger spacing row in Table E–1 of 1915.118.

• Use the spacing that matches your scaffold’s duty rating (light or heavy) and keep consistent ledger spacing along the scaffold for structural integrity.

Under 1915.118, ladder side rails 20 feet long must have a cross section of 1 7/8 × 3 inches at the ends and 1 7/8 × 4 inches at the center. See Table E–2 in 1915.118 for ladder side-rail specifications by length.

• Table E–2 lists required cross sections for the ends and the center of the ladder side rails; use the listed dimensions for manufacturing or inspection.

Under 1915.118, Table E–3 specifies legs for horses up to 10 feet as 2 × 4 inches, and for horses over 10 feet up to 16 feet as 3 × 4 inches. See Table E–3 in 1915.118.

• The table also lists corresponding sizes for bearers/headers, crossbraces, and longitudinal braces by horse height; check the full Table E–3 before building horses.

Under 1915.118, the safe center load for a 10-foot span using 2 × 10 rough lumber (column A) is 153 pounds. See the 10‑ft row and the 2 × 10 (A) column in Table E–4 of 1915.118.

• Table E–4 shows safe center loads (pounds) by span and lumber dimension: (A) denotes rough lumber and (B) denotes dressed lumber; always pick the correct column for the lumber you use.

Under 1915.118, Table G–1 requires four U-bolt clips for 3/4‑inch rope. Minimum spacing between clips is 5 inches for drop‑forged clips and 4½ inches for other material clips. See Table G–1 in 1915.118.

• Use the table row for 3/4" rope diameter to determine the correct number and spacing of clips when making a terminated eye or splice.

Under 1915.118, Table G–2 lists the maximum allowable wear for a 1/2‑inch chain as 7/64 of an inch. See Table G–2 in 1915.118.

• Inspect chains and remove any link that has wear exceeding the value in the table to prevent failure.

Under 1915.118, it means that when your wire rope diameter is less than 1/2 inch you must install three U‑bolt wire rope clips on a termination. See the note in Table G–1 of 1915.118.

• For rope equal to or larger than 1/2 inch, follow the "Number of clips" column in the table; for smaller ropes always use at least three clips and the table’s minimum spacing guidance.

Under 1915.118, column (A) represents rough lumber and column (B) represents dressed (planed/surfaced) lumber; dressed lumber (B) generally carries higher safe center loads than rough lumber (A) for the same dimensions and span. See the column notes and values in Table E–4 of 1915.118.

• Always identify whether your plank material is rough or dressed and use the matching column for the correct safe center load.
• If you’re unsure of lumber condition, treat it conservatively and use the lower value (A) or replace with material that has confirmed rated capacity.

Under 1915.118, Table E–1 requires braces for light-duty scaffolds to be 1 × 4 inches at heights ≤24 ft and 1 × 6 inches at heights >24 and ≤40 ft. See the braces column in Table E–1 of 1915.118.

• For heights >40≤60 ft the table specifies 1 × 6 inches for light duty as well; check the correct height row before selecting brace material.

Under 1915.118, stringers that are not supporting bearers must be 1 × 6 inches for both light duty and heavy duty across all height ranges shown in Table E–1. See the stringers row in Table E–1 of 1915.118.

• Even if stringers are not load-bearing for the bearers, they still must meet the minimum cross section given to provide safe support for platform materials.

Under 1915.118, an 18‑foot ladder must have side rails that are 1 7/8 × 3 inches at the ends and 1 7/8 × 4 inches at the center. See Table E–2 in 1915.118.

• The table shows that as ladder length increases the center section often requires a larger cross section than the ends to resist bending; follow both end and center dimensions when fabricating or inspecting ladders.

Yes. The provisions of 1915.118 apply to ship repairing, shipbuilding, and shipbreaking, and the dimensional specifications in the tables are the required guidance for those operations. See the opening sentence of 1915.118 and the broader Part 1915 scope.

• Use the table dimensions to construct and inspect scaffolds, ladders, horses, and related rigging; noncompliance with these specifications can lead to hazards and enforcement actions.

Under 1915.118, for heavy‑duty scaffolds with heights >24 and ≤40 feet (which includes 30 ft), the required transverse pole spacing is 10 feet. See the transverse spacing column for the >24≤40 heavy‑duty row in Table E–1 of 1915.118.

• Confirm all other member sizes in that heavy‑duty row before erection to meet the full table requirements.

Under 1915.118, Table E–3 requires bearers or headers of 4 × 6 inches for horses over 16 feet and up to 20 feet in height. See Table E–3 in 1915.118.

• Verify the corresponding leg and brace sizes in the same height column of Table E–3 when building tall horses.

Under 1915.118, the safe center load for a 12‑foot span using a 3 × 10 rough lumber plank (column A) is 333 pounds. See the 12‑ft row and the 3 × 10 (A) column in Table E–4 of 1915.118.

• Use the correct span and the matching rough (A) or dressed (B) column when determining allowable center load for planks.

Under 1915.118, Table G–1 requires five U‑bolt wire rope clips for a 1 1/8‑inch rope. Minimum spacing is 6 inches for drop‑forged clips and 6 3/4 inches for other material clips. See the 1 1/8‑inch row in Table G–1 of 1915.118.

• Follow these clip counts and spacing when forming eyes or splices to maintain rated strength of wire rope terminations.