Scaffold Safety: Erecting, Inspecting and Working on Scaffolds

Scaffold types, loads and foundations, planking and platforms, guardrails and access, ties and bracing, mobile and suspended scaffolds, falling object protection, inspections and the competent person's duties.

Scaffolds are in use on most construction sites, and falls, collapses, planks failing and electrical contact kill dozens of scaffold workers each year. This in-depth course explains OSHA's scaffold standard (29 CFR 1926 Subpart L) in plain language. You will learn the main scaffold types, how to check the foundation and load capacity, how to plank and guard a platform, how to provide safe access, how ties and bracing keep a scaffold standing, the special rules for rolling, suspended, needle-beam and other scaffolds, how to protect people below from falling objects, how to stay away from power lines, how to inspect, tag and maintain scaffolds, and what the competent person and the qualified person must do. It is an awareness-level course. Scaffold erectors, dismantlers and users must also be trained by a qualified person and follow the manufacturer's instructions for the scaffold system being used.

What you’ll learn

  • Identify scaffold types and explain the OSHA scaffold standard
  • Check foundations, capacity and platform construction
  • Provide guardrails, fall protection and safe access
  • Explain ties, bracing, and the rules for mobile, suspended and specialty scaffolds
  • Protect people from falling objects and electrical hazards
  • Perform and document scaffold inspections and understand the competent person's role

Who it’s for

Scaffold erectors and dismantlers, carpenters, masons, painters, plasterers, laborers, electricians, siding and window crews, supervisors, competent persons and safety coordinators. No experience is needed.

Course outline

Module 1: Scaffold Basics and the OSHA Rule 3 lessons · quiz

Why scaffolds fail, the types of scaffolds, who is responsible, and the key definitions in Subpart L.

  • Why scaffold safety matters 12 min Free preview
  • Types of scaffolds 14 min
  • Roles, training and key definitions 14 min
Module 2: Foundations, Capacity and Platforms 2 lessons · quiz

Ground conditions, base plates and mud sills, load ratings, planks and decking, and platform width and gaps.

  • Foundations and capacity 15 min Free preview
  • Planks, decking and platforms 14 min
Module 3: Guardrails, Fall Protection and Access 2 lessons · quiz

Where fall protection is required, guardrail dimensions, personal fall arrest, and safe ways to get on and off a scaffold.

  • Guardrails and fall protection 15 min Free preview
  • Safe access 14 min
Module 4: Bracing, Ties, Mobile and Suspended Scaffolds 3 lessons · quiz

Keeping a scaffold stable with bracing and ties, rolling scaffold rules, and the special rules for suspended scaffolds.

  • Bracing and ties 14 min Free preview
  • Mobile (rolling) scaffolds 14 min
  • Suspended scaffolds 16 min
Module 5: Falling Objects, Electrical Hazards and Weather 3 lessons · quiz

Protecting people below, keeping away from power lines, and working in wind, rain, ice and heat.

  • Falling object protection 14 min Free preview
  • Power lines and electrical hazards 14 min
  • Wind, rain, ice and heat 12 min
Module 6: Inspection, Erection, Dismantling and Putting It Together 3 lessons · quiz

The daily inspection, tagging systems, erecting and dismantling safely, common violations and a field checklist.

  • Inspections and tagging 14 min Free preview
  • Erecting, moving and dismantling 15 min
  • Common violations and a field checklist 12 min

What’s included

  • 16 lessons you can read at your own pace, on a phone or a computer
  • A short quiz after every module, with the correct answer shown for any you miss
  • A final exam of 25 questions (pass at 80% or higher)
  • A numbered certificate of completion with a QR code anyone can scan to verify it
  • Your progress saved to your account, with access that doesn’t expire

Please read: this is a self-paced online learning course. It is not an OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 card, a license, or a government certification, and it does not by itself meet any training requirement in OSHA or state standards. Employers must still provide required, site-specific training and decide who is a competent or qualified person. See the full disclaimer.

Questions

Can an employer check my certificate? Yes. Each certificate has a number and a QR code that opens a public verification page on this site.

Can I get a refund? Yes, within 7 days of purchase if you have completed less than 25% of the course and haven’t earned its certificate. Email support@toddallynmedia.com. Details are in section 13 of the Terms of Use. Payment is handled by PayPal; we never see your card details.

What do I need? A free account and any phone, tablet or computer. Questions or problems? Email support@toddallynmedia.com.

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