Shipyard scaffolds and ladders

Employers must provide and maintain scaffolds, ladders, and other working surfaces that are safe and free from recognized hazards, and must train employees to use them safely in accordance with 1915 Subpart E.

• Inspect working surfaces before use and periodically while in use.
• Repair or remove defective equipment from service until made safe.
• Provide fall protection, guardrails, or other measures required by the standard.
• Ensure employees receive training on proper use, load limits, and hazard recognition.

See the general duties and specific provisions in 1915 Subpart E for detailed requirements.

Scaffolds must be designed, constructed, and maintained so they are stable, structurally sound, and capable of supporting the intended loads as required by 1915 Subpart E.

• Use proper components and follow manufacturer or competent person guidance for assembly.
• Provide adequate bracing, ties, and access.
• Replace damaged or deteriorated planks, support members, or connections immediately.
• Have a competent person inspect scaffolds before each use and after any event that could affect structural integrity.

Refer to 1915 Subpart E for specifics on scaffold types and construction details.

Employers must provide guardrails, personal fall arrest systems, or other required fall protection on scaffold platforms when the standard requires them under 1915 Subpart E.

• Determine when guardrails or fall arrest systems are required and install them accordingly.
• Ensure guardrails are continuous and capable of resisting expected forces.
• Make sure personal fall arrest systems are inspected, fit properly, and are used per manufacturer instructions.

Consult 1915 Subpart E for the circumstances that trigger different fall-protection options and installation criteria.

Scaffold planking and platforms must be able to support the intended loads and must be installed to prevent displacement, as required by 1915 Subpart E.

• Use planks that are rated or designed for scaffold use and free of defects.
• Fully deck platforms between the front uprights and guardrail supports where required.
• Secure planks to prevent tipping or accidental displacement.
• Do not overload platforms beyond their rated capacity; consider workers, tools, and materials together.

See 1915 Subpart E for more on platform construction and load considerations.

Portable ladders must be selected, used, and maintained so they are in safe condition and appropriate for the task under 1915 Subpart E.

• Choose a ladder of suitable type and length for the job.
• Inspect ladders before each use and remove defective ladders from service.
• Place ladders on stable, level surfaces and secure them to prevent movement.
• Face the ladder and maintain three points of contact when climbing.

For more details on ladder construction, placement, and care, see 1915 Subpart E.

Employers must provide safe access to working levels, which may include fixed ladders or other permanent means when temporary or portable access is impractical or unsafe, as required by 1915 Subpart E.

• Evaluate access needs during planning and provide safe, permanent access where work will be frequent or prolonged.
• Ensure fixed ladders are anchored, inspected, and maintained.
• Provide alternatives if fixed ladders create a hazard (for example, stairways or platforms).

Refer to 1915 Subpart E for requirements on access design and placement.

Employers must have competent persons inspect scaffolds and ladders before use and periodically during use, and after events that could affect safety, in line with 1915 Subpart E.

• Inspect for broken or missing parts, loose connections, corrosion, or other damage.
• Check that planks are secure and ladders have slip-resistant feet.
• Tag and take defective equipment out of service until repaired or replaced.

See 1915 Subpart E for guidance on inspection frequency and competent person responsibilities.

Employers must protect employees on scaffolds near edges or openings using guardrails, personal fall arrest systems, or other protective measures required by 1915 Subpart E.

• Install guardrails or use fall arrest systems where there is a risk of falling.
• Cover or guard floor openings to prevent falls or accidental displacement of objects.
• Use toe boards or screens where falling tools or materials could strike people below.

Consult 1915 Subpart E for specific protections required near edges, openings, and overhead work.

Employers must train employees to recognize hazards related to the use of scaffolds and ladders and to follow safe work procedures required by 1915 Subpart E.

• Train on proper selection, setup, inspection, use, and limitations of equipment.
• Include how to recognize hazards such as unstable surfaces, falling objects, and electrical contact.
• Provide refresher training whenever hazards change or an employee demonstrates unsafe work practices.

See 1915 Subpart E for the scope of required training and employer responsibilities.

No, employees must not use makeshift ladders or improvised climbing devices when a safe, appropriate ladder or access method is available, consistent with the safety requirements of 1915 Subpart E.

• Use only ladders and climbing equipment designed and rated for the purpose.
• Remove or replace improvised devices that are unsafe.
• Provide proper access such as fixed ladders, portable ladders, or stairways when needed.

For specifics on acceptable ladder types and prohibitions, consult 1915 Subpart E.

Employers must ensure ladders are placed on stable, level surfaces and set at an appropriate angle to prevent slipping or tipping as required by 1915 Subpart E.

• Position ladders so they are stable and secured against movement.
• Use ladder accessories or securement methods when necessary to prevent displacement.
• Keep ladder areas clear of debris, grease, and other slip hazards.

See 1915 Subpart E for guidance on safe ladder setup and required securement.

Employers must ensure ladders used in wet, slippery, or contaminated environments are suitable and used in a way that minimizes slip and fall hazards, following the safety expectations of 1915 Subpart E.

• Use ladders with slip-resistant rungs or feet and keep rungs clean and dry when possible.
• Provide alternative access if conditions cannot be made safe (for example, use elevated platforms with guardrails).
• Require PPE or work procedures to reduce contamination transfer and slipping.

Check 1915 Subpart E for requirements and consider site-specific controls when working in adverse conditions.

Employers must protect workers on scaffolds from falling objects and overhead hazards by using toe boards, debris nets, screens, or hard hats, as appropriate under 1915 Subpart E.

• Install toe boards or screens on scaffold edges where tools or materials could fall.
• Erect canopies or debris nets beneath work areas when necessary to protect people below.
• Require hard hats and restrict access beneath scaffold work when materials are being handled.

Refer to 1915 Subpart E for acceptable methods of controlling falling-object hazards.

When a scaffold is modified or moved, a competent person must inspect it and ensure it remains safe and compliant with 1915 Subpart E before employees resume work on it.

• Re-evaluate stability, bracing, and ties after any change.
• Verify that planking, guardrails, and access are properly reinstalled.
• Ensure load ratings remain appropriate for the new configuration or location.

See 1915 Subpart E for inspection and competent person requirements following modifications or relocation.

Employers must ensure scaffolds and platforms are designed or rated to support their intended loads and must not overload them, consistent with 1915 Subpart E.

• Calculate total loads including workers, tools, and materials.
• Use manufacturer ratings or a competent person’s calculations to verify capacity.
• Post load limits where they are visible and train workers to observe them.

Consult 1915 Subpart E for requirements on load determination and marking.

Both shore-based and shipboard scaffolds must meet the safety requirements of 1915 Subpart E, but employers must consider shipboard-specific conditions like movement, limited space, and marine hazards when applying those requirements.

• Account for vessel motion, deck camber, and securement when installing shipboard scaffolds.
• Use components and methods suitable for the confined and shifting shipboard environment.
• Conduct additional inspections after events that could affect stability (e.g., vessel movement).

See 1915 Subpart E and apply its provisions with attention to shipboard constraints.

Employers must provide safe means of access and egress to scaffolds and other elevated work surfaces, such as ladders, stairways, or ramps, as required by 1915 Subpart E.

• Ensure access points do not create fall hazards and are kept clear.
• Provide fixed access for frequent use or when portable means would be unsafe.
• Maintain and inspect access equipment regularly.

Refer to 1915 Subpart E for specific access and egress options and requirements.

If a ladder or scaffold component is found defective, it must be immediately removed from service and repaired or replaced before being used again, consistent with 1915 Subpart E.

• Tag the defective item and prevent its use until corrected.
• Document the defect and the corrective action taken.
• Re-inspect the repaired or replaced equipment before returning it to service.

See 1915 Subpart E for competent person inspection duties and removal-from-service requirements.

Employers should document training and retain records showing employees received and understood scaffold and ladder safety training as part of meeting obligations under 1915 Subpart E.

• Keep records of training topics, dates, and trainers or evaluators.
• Use practical evaluations or written tests when appropriate to demonstrate competence.
• Provide refresher training records whenever new hazards or changes occur.

See 1915 Subpart E for the types of training employers must provide and use documentation to show compliance.

Employers must ensure scaffolds are positioned and used to prevent electrical contact and meet the protective measures required by 1915 Subpart E.

• Maintain safe clearance from power lines or de-energize lines where possible.
• Use nonconductive scaffold components and personal protective equipment when appropriate.
• Train workers about electrical hazards and safe work distances.

Consult 1915 Subpart E for required controls and minimum approach distances applicable in shipyard settings.