{"id":1746,"date":"2023-01-06T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-06T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.compliancesigns.com\/blog\/general-scaffold-safety-do-s-and-don-ts\/"},"modified":"2026-02-05T16:43:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T21:43:11","slug":"general-scaffold-safety-do-s-and-don-ts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.compliancesigns.com\/blog\/general-scaffold-safety-do-s-and-don-ts\/","title":{"rendered":"General Scaffold Safety Do\u2019s and Don\u2019ts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Scaffolds are widely used as temporary platforms in new construction, routine maintenance, and general industry work. OSHA <\/strong><\/a>estimates that about 65% of all construction workers perform work on scaffolds every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you think about the variety of applications scaffolds are used for, would you ever question the safety or durability of them?  Sure hope your answer is yes! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although scaffolds are regularly used, they contribute to an estimated 9,000 injuries and 79 fatalities annually, per OSHA. Scaffold citations continue to soar to the Top 10 OSHA list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter how safe or sturdy a scaffold may look, it can only support the weight capacity specified by the manufacturer. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scaffold Safety Requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OSHA has very specific standards outlined in 29 CFR 1926.451<\/strong><\/a> General Requirements for Scaffolding to protect workers. They require each scaffold or scaffolding component to be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least four times the maximum intended load.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All scaffolds must be rated by the manufacturer to withstand the maximum load capacity. They determine the rating by the frame and cross-bracing design of the scaffold and its plank requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before a worker can consider walking on a scaffold, they must be properly trained by a qualified person. Training includes identification of electrocution, falls, and fall object hazards. A competent person has to inspect the scaffold before the work shift to ensure it\u2019s safe for use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a comprehensive list of the do\u2019s and don\u2019ts for scaffold safety, as noted by OSHA.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do’s:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Do be mindful of coworkers working above and below<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Do stay off scaffold during loading or unloading<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Do replace guardrails after loading or unloading<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Do use 3-point climbing<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Do exit mobile scaffolds before moving <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Do always wear full protection to avoid accidents<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Do follow OSHA standards for scaffold safety, including personal fall arrest system requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Don\u2019ts:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    1. Don\u2019t allow debris or materials to collect on scaffold<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Don\u2019t\u2019 overreach outside the guardrails<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Don\u2019t stand on ties, guardrails, or extensions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Don\u2019t overload the scaffold. Proper training includes being informed about the max intended load of the scaffold you\u2019re working on, as well as its load-carrying capacities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Don\u2019t use a scaffold if it appears to be damaged in any way<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Don\u2019t climb on any portion of the scaffold frame not intended for climbing<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. Don\u2019t walk on scaffold planking covered in mud, water, snow, or ice<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Regardless of the structural design of the scaffold, workers must be trained to recognize terms associated with capacity limits when working on scaffolds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Shop Ladder and Scaffold Tags:<\/h3>\n\n
      \"OSHA<\/a><\/td>\"Red<\/a><\/td>\"Red<\/a><\/td>\"Green<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n

      How can you visually protect workers?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n