Subpart L
Yes — you must leave the existing platform in place until the new bearers are set and braced before placing the next platform. This prevents collapse or loss of support while the scaffold is being raised; see 1926.452(a)(1).
Yes — crossbracing must be installed between the inner and outer sets of poles on double-pole scaffolds. That bracing helps stabilize the two rows of poles and is required by 1926.452(a)(2).
Install diagonal bracing across the entire inside face when the scaffold supports loads equal to or greater than 50 pounds per square foot. The rule requires diagonal bracing in both directions for such load conditions; see 1926.452(a)(3).
Yes — diagonal bracing in both directions must be installed across the entire outside face of all double- and single-pole scaffolds. This requirement is stated at 1926.452(a)(4).
Runners must be installed on edge, extend over at least two poles, and be supported by bearing blocks securely attached to the poles; bearers must extend at least 3 inches over the outside edges of runners and provide full contact with couplers; braces, bearers, and runners must not be spliced between poles. These combined requirements are found in 1926.452(a)(5), 1926.452(a)(6), 1926.452(a)(7), and 1926.452(a)(8).
Wooden pole splices must have squared ends with the upper section resting squarely on the lower, and wood splice plates on at least two adjacent sides that extend at least 2 feet on either side of the splice, overlap the abutted ends equally, and have at least the same cross-sectional area as the pole (other materials of equivalent strength are allowed). See 1926.452(a)(9).
Any pole scaffold over 60 feet in height must be designed by a registered professional engineer and constructed and loaded per that design. The requirement is at 1926.452(a)(10).
You must install transverse "X" bracing at the scaffold ends and at least every third set of posts horizontally and every fourth runner vertically, and longitudinal diagonal bracing on straight runs extending from the base of end posts up to the top at about 45 degrees; building ties at bearer levels must meet 1926.451(c)(1). These requirements are described in 1926.452(b)(2) and 1926.452(b)(3).
When you cannot attach bracing to posts, attach it to the runners as close to the post as possible; bearers must be installed transversely between posts and bear directly on runner couplers with couplers placed as close to posts as practical; bearers must extend beyond posts and provide full contact with couplers; runners must be installed on both inside and outside posts at level heights and interlocked on straight runs to form continuous lengths. See 1926.452(b)(4), 1926.452(b)(5), 1926.452(b)(6), and 1926.452(b)(7).
Couplers must be made of structural metal such as drop-forged steel, malleable iron, or structural grade aluminum (gray cast iron is prohibited), and any tube-and-coupler scaffold over 125 feet in height must be designed by a registered professional engineer and built to that design. See 1926.452(b)(9) and 1926.452(b)(10).
When moving platforms to the next level you must leave the existing platform until the new end frames are set and braced; frames and panels must be braced by cross, horizontal, or diagonal braces that secure vertical members and square the scaffold, and frames/panels must be joined vertically by coupling or stacking pins or equivalent means. See 1926.452(c)(1), 1926.452(c)(2), and 1926.452(c)(3).
If uplift can displace scaffold end frames or panels, lock them together vertically with pins or equivalent means; brackets for cantilevered loads must be seated correctly (side-brackets parallel, end-brackets at 90°), not bent or twisted, and used only to support personnel unless a qualified engineer has designed and approved the scaffold for other loads. See 1926.452(c)(4) and 1926.452(c)(5).
Any fabricated frame (tubular welded frame) scaffold over 125 feet above its base plates must be designed by a registered professional engineer and constructed and loaded in accordance with that design; see 1926.452(c)(6).
Wood scaffolds made as bricklayers' squares must be reinforced with gussets on both sides of each corner. That requirement is at 1926.452(e)(1).
Diagonal braces must be installed on all sides of each square and between squares front and rear, extending from the bottom of one square to the top of the next; such scaffolds must not exceed three tiers in height and must be constructed so each square rests directly above the one below with upper tiers standing on a continuous row of planks nailed or otherwise secured to prevent displacement. See 1926.452(e)(2), 1926.452(e)(3), and 1926.452(e)(4).
Horse scaffolds may be no more than two tiers or 10 feet in height (whichever is less); when tiered each horse must be placed directly over the one below, legs must be nailed or otherwise secured to prevent displacement, and each tier must be crossbraced. See 1926.452(f)(1), 1926.452(f)(2), 1926.452(f)(3), and 1926.452(f)(4).
Brackets (except wooden bracket-form scaffolds) must be attached to the supporting formwork or structure using nails, metal stud attachments, welding, hooking over a secured structural member with form wales bolted or tied, or for carpenters' bracket scaffolds a bolt through to the opposite side; wooden bracket-form scaffolds must be integral to the form panel, and folding metal brackets when extended must be bolted or secured with a locking-type pin. See 1926.452(g)(1), 1926.452(g)(2), and 1926.452(g)(3).
Roof scaffold brackets must be constructed to fit the roof pitch and give a level platform, and brackets (including those with pointed metal projections) must be anchored with nails unless impractical—if nails aren't used they must be secured with first-grade manila rope at least 3/4 inch in diameter or equivalent. See 1926.452(h)(1) and 1926.452(h)(2).
Outrigger beams must have an inboard end at least one and one-half times the outboard end in length from the fulcrum; I-beam or channel outriggers must be placed with the web vertical; the fulcrum must rest on secure bearings at least 6 inches in each horizontal dimension; outriggers must be secured against movement and braced at the fulcrum, inboard ends must be securely anchored by braced struts against sills or by tension members to floor joists (or both), the whole supporting structure must be braced against horizontal movement, platforms must be nailed/bolted/otherwise secured to outriggers to prevent displacement, and the scaffold and components must be designed and built in accordance with a registered professional engineer's design. These requirements are in 1926.452(i)(1)–(8).
Pump jack brackets, braces, and accessories must be made from metal plates and angles with each bracket having two positive gripping mechanisms to prevent failure or slippage; poles must be secured with rigid triangular bracing at bottom, top, and as needed, and when a pump jack must pass existing bracing an extra brace about 4 feet above must be installed and left until the jack passes and the original brace is reinstalled; work benches may be used as a toprail only if they meet the listed guardrail criteria in 1926.451(g)(4) subparts 1926.451(g)(4)(ii), 1926.451(g)(4)(vii), 1926.451(g)(4)(viii), and 1926.451(g)(4)(xiii); work benches may not be used as scaffold platforms; wood poles must be straight-grained and free of defects that impair strength; two-length wood poles must have the seam parallel to the bracket. See 1926.452(j).
Employees on suspended scaffolds or conveyances that meet the suspended scaffold definition must be protected by fall protection meeting 1926.451(g), and overhead/falling object protection must meet 1926.451(h). OSHA clarified in its December 5, 2023 letter that conveyances operating with temporary guides, temporary suspension means, or temporary hoist machines meet the definition of a suspended scaffold and therefore must comply with the scaffold fall protection and falling object requirements in the Scaffold Standard. (See 1926.451(g) and the OSHA interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2023-12-05.)
Under 1926.452(k)(1) the maximum platform height for ladder jack scaffolds is 20 feet (6.1 m). See 1926.452(k)(1) for the requirement.
No — under 1926.452(k)(2), all ladders used to support ladder jack scaffolds must meet the requirements of subpart X (Stairways and Ladders), and job-made ladders are not permitted to support ladder jack scaffolds. See 1926.452(k)(2) and the Stairways and Ladders standard at 1926.
Under 1926.452(k)(3), if a ladder jack bears only on ladder rungs, the bearing area on each rung must be at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) long. The jack may also bear on side rails and rungs together if so designed. See 1926.452(k)(3).
Under 1926.452(k)(4), ladders used to support ladder jacks must be placed, fastened, or equipped with devices to prevent slipping. See 1926.452(k)(4).
No — under 1926.452(k)(5), scaffold platforms shall not be bridged one to another on ladder jack scaffolds. See 1926.452(k)(5).
Under 1926.452(l)(1)–(2), window jack scaffolds must be securely attached to the window opening, and they may be used only for working at the specific window opening through which the jack is placed. Additionally, under 1926.452(l)(3) window jacks cannot be used to support planks between jacks or as part of other scaffold elements. See 1926.452(l)(1), 1926.452(l)(2), and 1926.452(l)(3).
Under 1926.452(m)(1)–(2), crawling boards used with roof work must extend from the roof peak to the eaves and must be secured to the roof by ridge hooks or by means that meet equivalent strength and durability criteria. See 1926.452(m)(1) and 1926.452(m)(2).
Under 1926.452(n)(1)–(4), platform height on step, platform, and trestle ladder scaffolds must not extend above the second highest rung or step of the supporting ladder; ladders used must meet subpart X requirements (job-made ladders are not allowed); ladders must be secured or equipped to prevent slipping; and such scaffolds must not be bridged one to another. See 1926.452(n)(1) through 1926.452(n)(4).
Yes — under 1926.452(o)(2) the supporting rope may be non-vertical only if all of these are met: the rigging is designed by a qualified person, the scaffold is accessible to rescuers, the supporting rope is protected against chafing at changes of direction, and the scaffold is positioned so swinging cannot bring it into contact with other surfaces. See 1926.452(o)(2) and its subparts 1926.452(o)(2)(i)-(iv). For guidance on when a suspended conveyance meets the scaffold definition and the related fall-protection requirements, see OSHA's interpretation on scaffold and fall protection at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2023-12-05.
Under 1926.452(o)(3)–(7), boatswains' chair tackle must use correct-size ball-bearing or bushed blocks with safety hooks and properly eye-spliced minimum 5/8-inch first-grade manila rope (or equivalent). Seat slings must be reeved through four corner holes, cross underneath to prevent slippage, be a minimum 5/8-inch fiber/synthetic rope (or 3/8-inch wire rope when heat-producing processes are present), and non-cross-laminated wood seats must be reinforced underneath with cleats. See 1926.452(o)(3) through 1926.452(o)(7).
Under 1926.452(p)(1)–(2), two-point (swing-stage) platforms shall not be more than 36 inches (0.9 m) wide unless a qualified person designs them to prevent instability, and platforms must be securely fastened to hangers (stirrups) by U-bolts or other means that satisfy [1926.451(a)]. See 1926.452(p)(1) and 1926.452(p)(2), and consult 1926.451(a) for hanger fastening criteria.
Under 1926.452(p)(3)–(4), blocks for fiber or synthetic ropes must include at least one double and one single block, with sheaves sized to the rope; platforms must be ladder-, plank-, beam-, or light-metal-type, and light-metal platforms rated ≤750 pounds or ≤40 feet long must be tested and listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. See 1926.452(p)(3) and 1926.452(p)(4).
Under 1926.452(p)(5)–(6), two-point scaffolds must not be bridged or connected to one another during raising and lowering unless the bridge connections are articulated and hoists are properly sized; passage between platforms is allowed only when platforms are at the same height, abutting, and walk-through stirrups designed for that purpose are used. See 1926.452(p)(5) and 1926.452(p)(6).
Under 1926.452(q)(1)–(3), multiple multi-point scaffolds must not be bridged unless designed to be bridged with articulated connections and properly sized hoists; passage between platforms is allowed only when platforms are at the same height and abutting; and suspension must use metal outriggers, brackets, wire rope slings, hooks, or equivalent means. See 1926.452(q)(1) through 1926.452(q)(3).
Under 1926.452(r)(1)–(4), catenary scaffolds may have no more than one platform between consecutive vertical pickups and no more than two platforms total; platforms on wire ropes must have hook-shaped stops at each end to prevent slipping if a horizontal wire fails; wire ropes must not be over-tightened to the point of overstress; and wire ropes must be continuous and without splices between anchors. See 1926.452(r)(1) through 1926.452(r)(4).
Under 1926.452(s)(1)–(3) and 1926.452(t)(1)–(3), float scaffold platforms must be supported by at least two bearers projecting at least 6 inches beyond each side and securely fastened; rope connections must prevent platform shifting; when only two ropes are used they must provide four ends securely fastened and be hitched around bearers as specified. Interior hung scaffolds must be suspended only from roof structure or other structural members, those overhead supports must be inspected for strength before erection, and suspension ropes/cables must be connected to overhead supports by shackles, clips, thimbles, or equivalent means. See 1926.452(s)(1)–1926.452(s)(3) and 1926.452(t)(1)–1926.452(t)(3).
Under 1926.452(u)(1)–(5), needle beam support beams must be installed on edge; supports must be ropes or hangers (except one end may be on a permanent structural member); ropes must be securely attached to the needle beams; the support connection must prevent rolling or displacement of the needle beam; and platform units must be securely attached by bolts or equivalent means (cleats and overhang are not adequate). See 1926.452(u)(1) through 1926.452(u)(5).
Under 1926.452(v)(1)–(3), multi-level suspended scaffolds must be equipped with additional independent support lines equal in number to the number of points supported, with equivalent strength to the suspension ropes and rigged to support the scaffold if the suspension ropes fail; these independent support lines must not be attached to the same anchorage points as the suspension ropes; and platform supports must be attached directly to the support stirrup. See 1926.452(v)(1) through 1926.452(v)(3).
Under 1926.452(w)(1)–(4) and 1926.452(w)(6)(i)–(v), mobile scaffolds must be braced (cross, horizontal, diagonal) to prevent racking and be plumb, level, and squared; all brace connections must be secured; tube-and-coupler scaffolds must also comply with paragraph (b) and fabricated-frame scaffolds with paragraph (c). Casters/wheels must be locked with positive locks when used stationary. Employees may ride on scaffolds only when all conditions in 1926.452(w)(6) are met, including that the surface is within 3 degrees of level and free of obstructions, the height-to-base-width ratio during movement is 2:1 or less (unless scaffold is specially designed), outriggers are installed when used, power propulsion does not exceed 1 foot per second and propelling force is applied directly to wheels, and no employee is on any part that extends beyond the supports. See 1926.452(w)(1) through 1926.452(w)(6).
OSHA interprets that a conveyance operating with temporary or incomplete guides, suspended by temporary cables, utilizing a temporary hoist, or any combination with a permanent elevator car frame and temporary platform meets the definition of a suspended scaffold and is covered by the scaffold standard and its fall-protection and falling-object rules. See the scaffold and fall protection clarification at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2023-12-05 and the Scaffold Standard at 1926.452.
No — scaffold platforms must not extend beyond the base supports unless outrigger frames or equivalent devices are used to ensure stability. This is required to prevent tipping or loss of stability when the platform projects past the scaffold base. See the rule in 1926.452(w)(7) and the general scaffold requirements in 1926.452.
You must use screw jacks or equivalent means to level a scaffold when leveling is necessary. Screw jacks (or an equally effective device) control vertical adjustments safely and are required by 1926.452(w)(8).
Caster stems and wheel stems must be pinned or otherwise secured in scaffold legs or adjustment screws. This prevents wheels or casters from coming loose and causing scaffold collapse or worker falls, as required by 1926.452(w)(9).
Before moving a scaffold, the employer must make each employee on the scaffold aware of the move. Workers must be alerted so they can brace themselves or move to a safe location and avoid falls or being struck by shifting components, as required by 1926.452(w)(10).
Repair bracket scaffolds must be secured and attached so they cannot detach or slide off the brackets. Specifically:
When a wire rope is used around the structure to secure brackets or as an anchorage for personal fall arrest systems, it must meet specific strength and installation requirements. In particular:
No — materials must not be dropped to the outside of the supporting structure, and scaffold erection around a structure must proceed in only one direction. These rules help prevent falling materials and confusion or instability from uncoordinated erection, as stated in 1926.452(x)(10) and 1926.452(x)(11).
Employees may wear stilts on scaffolds only when working on large area scaffolds, and additional protections are required. Specifically:
You must protect wire ropes from damage where they contact edges, corners, protrusions, or other discontinuities by using guards or padding. Practical protections include placing pipe sleeves, leather or rubber pads, edge guards, thimbles at splices, or other durable shielding materials at contact points to prevent abrasion, cutting, or crushing, as required by 1926.452(x)(6). Additionally, proper termination hardware (for example, eyesplice thimbles per 1926.452(x)(8)) and the prohibition on U-bolt clips (1926.452(x)(9)) reduce the likelihood of rope damage and failure.