Roof Brackets & Wall Bracket Scaffolds

Roof brackets (also called roofing jacks) hold a plank on a sloped roof so workers have a level place to stand or store materials. Wall bracket scaffolds attach to a wall to support planks for siding, masonry or painting. Poor anchoring is the main cause of failure.

Roofers
Siding Crews
Carpenters

Roof brackets

Brackets are nailed or screwed through the roofing into the rafters or sheathing as the maker requires. Use the size and type of fastener listed.
Place brackets on a solid roof structure, not weak or rotted decking. Space them as the instructions say, usually 4 to 8 feet apart.
Use planks rated for scaffold use, long enough to span the brackets and extend a few inches past each end. See Scaffold Planks.
Some brackets are removed and the nail holes sealed afterward. Plan for repair so the roof does not leak.

Wall bracket scaffolds

Each bracket is fixed to the wall or studs with bolts or screws into solid structure, never into siding or thin sheathing alone.
Check the wall can carry the loads. Brackets have a maximum load (for example, light duty about 25 pounds per square foot); follow the plate.
Use scaffold planks with proper overhang, and keep the platform fully planked.
Add guardrails and toeboards when the platform is more than 10 feet above a lower level. See Scaffold Basics.

Fall protection

Roof brackets are not fall protection. Use a personal fall arrest system tied to a roof anchor, guardrails or other approved methods. See Personal Fall Arrest Systems and Roof Work.
Never tie off to the bracket or plank.
Keep tools and materials from rolling off; use a toe board or containers.

Safe practices

Inspect brackets and planks before use for bends, cracks and loose fasteners
Keep loads within the bracket rating, including workers and materials
Do not use in strong wind, rain or ice
Keep the work area free of debris and keep people out from below
Do not overload a single plank with stacked shingles

Standards & references

Last updated: October 8, 2026