Scaffold Safety Basics

Scaffolds are used on most construction sites. The biggest scaffold hazards are falls, collapses, being struck by falling objects, and electrocution from nearby power lines.

• Construction
• General Industry

Key requirements

• Competent person: scaffolds must be erected, moved, dismantled or altered under the supervision of a competent person, and inspected by a competent person before each shift and after anything that could affect them.
• Capacity: each scaffold must support its own weight plus at least 4 times the maximum intended load. Don’t overload it with material.
• Footing: base plates and mudsills on firm ground. Never set on bricks, blocks, barrels or boxes.
• Platforms: fully planked or decked, at least 18 inches wide in most cases, with no gaps over 1 inch between planks.
• Planks: extend at least 6 inches past their supports (no more than 12 inches unless cleated or guarded).
• Fall protection: required at 10 feet above a lower level, usually guardrails (top rail 38–45 inches) and midrails.
• Access: use a ladder, stair tower, ramp or built-in ladder when the platform is more than 2 feet above or below the access point. Don’t climb cross-braces.
• Ties: supported scaffolds taller than 4 times their minimum base width must be tied, guyed or braced to the structure.
• Training: anyone working on a scaffold must be trained by a qualified person on its hazards.

Check the tag before you climb

Many sites use a tag system at the access point:

• Green: inspected and safe to use.
• Yellow: safe with special precautions (for example, fall arrest required). Read the tag.
• Red: do not use. Under construction or unsafe.

Types of scaffolds

Who does what

• Qualified person: designs scaffolds and trains workers who use them.
• Competent person: supervises erecting, moving and dismantling; inspects before each shift; can stop work and order fixes.
• Erectors and dismantlers: trained by a competent person on the specific scaffold, including fall protection while building it.
• Users: trained on the hazards, fall protection, load limits and how to report problems.

Before you climb: quick check

• Tag at the access point is green (or yellow and you’ve read it)
• Base plates and mudsills on firm ground; screw jacks not overextended
• Frames plumb and level; cross braces and pins in place
• Platform fully planked; planks not cracked, warped or overloaded
• Guardrails, midrails and toeboards complete on all open sides and ends
• Ties in place where the tower is tall
• Safe access by ladder or stair
• No power lines within 10 feet

Working on scaffolds

• Keep platforms clear of debris and slippery material.
• Use toeboards, screens or debris nets to protect people below, and barricade the area underneath.
• Report damaged parts, missing planks or guardrails immediately.

• Don’t work on scaffolds during storms or high winds unless a competent person says it’s safe and you’re protected.
• Don’t use ladders, boxes or buckets on a scaffold platform to gain height.
• Don’t remove guardrails, braces or ties. Only a competent person can authorize changes.

Last updated: October 1, 2026