Toolbox Talk: Scaffold Safety
Daily inspection, full planking, guardrails and safe access keep workers safe on scaffolds.
- Toolbox Talk
- Construction
Prints on one Letter-size page with a sign-in sheet.
Scaffold Safety
Why it matters
Scaffolds fail when they are built wrong, overloaded, damaged or climbed unsafely. Falls and collapses can injure many people at once.
Talking points
- Competent person: a competent person must inspect the scaffold before each shift and supervise erecting, moving and dismantling.
- Check the tag: use only scaffolds tagged safe. Never use one that is red-tagged or untagged.
- Full platforms: planks or decks must fully cover the work level, with gaps no more than 1 inch.
- Fall protection: guardrails or personal fall arrest are required on scaffolds more than 10 feet above a lower level.
- Safe access: use the stair tower or ladder. Never climb cross braces.
- Respect the limits: don't overload the platform, don't work in high winds, ice or storms, and stay 10 feet from power lines.
Ask the crew
- Who is the competent person for this scaffold, and when was it last inspected?
- How do we get on and off this scaffold safely?
- What could change today: wind, rain, loads or other trades?
Before we start work today: Check the scaffold tag, base plates, bracing and guardrails before anyone climbs on.
Who attended
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Source: OSHA 1926.451: General requirements for scaffolds. General safety information only, not legal advice; follow your employer’s program, the manufacturer’s instructions and current regulations. Keep signed sheets with your safety records. FirstDayTraining.com · Todd Allyn Media Inc.
Learn more: Scaffold Basics · Scaffold Tags · Frame Scaffolds
Standards & references
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