Scaffolds

Overview

You can use a scaffold to work on just about anything – silos, tanks, chimneys, bridges, stairways, roofs, ramps, and ceilings are just a few examples. In its most basic form, a supported scaffold is just a platform and a set of uprights so many people think that anyone can set one up.

That is why too many workers are injured or killed when they use a scaffold – components fail, planks break, handrails give way, or the entire structure collapses in a heap. Most scaffold accidents happen because scaffold users are untrained or improperly trained.

All available content

Publications

Brochures/Guides
- Fall protection for construction activities
  Provides best practices for fall protection when performing construction activities. Covers the requirements in Division 3, Subdivision M, Fall Protection and highlights fall protection requirements for work on ladders and scaffolds.
  English Order printed copy 08/31/2020
- Fall Protection for setting and bracing wood trusses and rafters
  Describes how to eliminate or minimize fall hazards for workers who set and brace wood trusses and rafters.
  English Order printed copy 06/10/2022
- Proteccion contra caidas para actividades de la construccion - guia condensada
  Fall protection for the construction industry
  Proporciona las mejores prácticas para la protección contra caídas cuando se realizan actividades de construcción. Cubre los requisitos de division 3, subdivision M, protección de caídas y recalca los requisitos de protección contra caídas para trabajos en escaleras y andamios.
  Spanish Order printed copy 09/21/2022
- Protección contra caídas para colocar y reforzar las vigas de madera y la estructura del techo
  Fall Protection for setting and bracing wood trusses and rafters
  Describe cómo eliminar o minimizar los riesgos de caídas para los trabajadores que colocan y refuerzan las vigas de madera y las estructuras de techo.
  Spanish Order printed copy 06/10/2022
- Supported scaffolds for the construction industry
  Describes construction industry best practices for using supported scaffolds and covers requirements for supported scaffolds.
  English Order printed copy 08/23/2022
Fact sheets
- Andamios en la construcción: requisitos para personas compententes
  Scaffolding in construction: requirements for competent persons
  Describe a una persona competente para andamios en actividades de construcción y explica los requisitos de la División 3, Subdivisión L que se aplican a ellos.
  Spanish 04/13/2018
- Reseña de las superficies transitables de trabajo
  Walking-working surfaces: At a glance
  Proporciona una descripción general de los requisitos de las superficies para caminar y trabajar en los lugares de trabajo de la industria en general.
  Spanish 05/20/2024
- Scaffolding in construction: requirements for competent persons
  Describes a competent person for scaffolding in construction activities and explains the requirements in Division 3, Subdivision L that apply to them.
  English 03/04/2024
- Walking-working surfaces: At a glance
  Provides an overview of walking-working surface requirements in general industry workplaces.
  English 04/15/2024
References
- Rules with requirements
  We get many calls and emails from employers asking the same question. It begins: “Which of your rules have requirements for…” You can finish the sentence with words like “recordkeeping,” “employee training,” and “written documents.” To answer those questions, we’ve organized these rules requirements into a filterable, sortable, searchable table.
  English 05/10/2019

Education and training

PESO
- Scaffolds (pptx)
  Andamios
  Tailgate English Spanish 11/14/2022
- Scaffolds (pptx)
  Andamios
  Workbook English Spanish 11/14/2022
- Scaffolds (pptx)
  Andamios
  Overhead English Spanish 11/14/2022
- Scaffolds (PDF)
  Andamios
  Overhead English Spanish 11/14/2022
- Scaffolds (PDF)
  Andamios
  Tailgate English Spanish 11/14/2022
- Scaffolds (PDF)
  Andamios
  Workbook English Spanish 11/14/2022

Rules and rule-related

Final Rules
- Division 2, Subdivision D, Walking-Working Surfaces
  2-2017 Word version
- Division 3, Subdivision L, Scaffolding
  1-2011 Word version
- Division 4, Subdivision D, Work Surfaces
  9-2006 Word version
Interpretations
- Catch platforms
  11/18/1996
- Ladders attached to scaffolding
  12/06/2007
- Letter of Interpretation - Federal rules on scaffolding in construction and the proposed Oregon OSHA adoption of them
  Rule interpretation from February 1997 regarding scaffolding in construction.
  02/18/1997
- Planking requirements for scaffolds
  03/19/2001
- Scaffold base plates and mud sills 29 CFR 1910.451(c)(2) (revised April 8, 2003)
  04/08/2003
- Space between wall and scaffold
  06/16/1998
- Testing of rope descent system anchorages on buildings
  02/06/2018
- Use of scaffolding as an anchorage for personal fall arrest systems
  07/28/1995
- Welded frame scaffold illustration
  12/20/2006
Program Directives
- Local Emphasis Program (LEP): Falls In All Industries
  Purpose: This instruction describes state Local Emphasis Program (LEP) to reduce or eliminate serious injuries and fatalities associated with falls to a lower level while working at heights in all industries covered under Oregon OSHA’s jurisdiction.
  A-239 11/27/2023
- Scaffolds in Construction
  Purpose: This instruction establishes inspection procedures and provides clarification to ensure uniform enforcement of the scaffold standards for construction.
  A-218 10/28/2020

Video Resources

Borrow from the Resource Center

Watch Online

Additional Resources

Highlights

Supported scaffolds: requirements and best practices for the construction industry