Scaffolding & Temporary Structures Inspection

Per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.451(a), each scaffold and scaffold component must support its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load without failure. Scaffolds must be designed by a qualified person per ANSI/ASSE A10.8. Design loads must account for workers, materials, equipment, and environmental forces including wind loads. All scaffold designs supporting more than one point must include calculations by a registered professional engineer.

1. Review scaffold design drawings and load calculations from the qualified person

2. Verify the scaffold type matches the approved design (frame, tube-and-coupler, or systems scaffold)

3. Confirm rated load capacity is posted and visible at the scaffold access point

4. Check that the actual load on the scaffold does not exceed the rated capacity

5. Verify design accounts for wind loads and environmental conditions per OSHA 1926.451(f)(12)

- No documented design or load calculations available on site

- Scaffolds loaded beyond rated capacity with excess materials

- Design does not account for wind or lateral forces

- Modifications made to scaffold without engineer approval

Per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.451(c)(2), scaffold poles, legs, posts, frames, and uprights must bear on base plates and mud sills or other adequate firm foundation. Footings must be level, sound, and capable of supporting the loaded scaffold without settling or displacement. Unstable objects such as barrels, boxes, loose brick, or concrete blocks must not be used to support scaffolds per OSHA 1926.451(c)(2)(i).

1. Inspect base plates on all legs for proper seating and full contact with mud sills

2. Verify mud sills are sized adequately to distribute loads on the supporting surface

3. Check that the foundation surface is level, compacted, and capable of bearing the load

4. Confirm screw jacks are used for leveling and are not extended beyond manufacturer limits

5. Verify no unstable objects are used as scaffold supports

- Base plates missing or not properly seated on mud sills

- Scaffold erected on soft or uncompacted soil without adequate sills

- Screw jacks over-extended beyond manufacturer specifications

- Foundation surface eroded or undermined by water drainage

Per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.451(b), scaffold components must not be intermixed unless compatible and the resulting scaffold maintains its structural integrity. All scaffold components must be inspected for damage before use. Per ANSI/ASSE A10.8, scaffold frames, braces, and accessories must meet manufacturer specifications and must not be painted or coated in a way that conceals defects.

1. Verify all scaffold components are from compatible systems and manufacturers

2. Inspect frames and uprights for bends, cracks, corrosion, or weld damage

3. Check that all locking pins, gravity locks, and connection points function properly

4. Confirm cross-braces and horizontal members are not damaged or deformed

5. Verify scaffold planks meet OSHA grading requirements and are not cracked or split

- Mixing incompatible scaffold system components from different manufacturers

- Damaged or bent frames used without being tagged and removed from service

- Missing locking pins or gravity locks on frame connections

- Scaffold planks with visible cracks, splits, or excessive knots

Per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.451(c)(1), scaffolds must be braced with cross-bracing, diagonal bracing, or both to prevent swaying and displacement. Scaffolds must be tied in to the building or structure at intervals not exceeding the scaffold manufacturer's recommendations. Per OSHA 1926.451(c)(3), supported scaffolds with a height-to-base-width ratio greater than 4:1 must be restrained from tipping by guying, tying, bracing, or equivalent means.

1. Verify cross-braces are installed at every level and properly secured at connection points

2. Check tie-in connections to the building at intervals per manufacturer specifications

3. Measure height-to-base-width ratio and confirm guying or tying if ratio exceeds 4:1

4. Inspect all brace connections for tightness and proper engagement

5. Confirm diagonal bracing is installed where required by the scaffold design

- Missing cross-braces on one or more scaffold bays

- Tie-ins to building not installed or improperly attached to weak anchors

- Height-to-base-width ratio exceeds 4:1 without lateral restraint

- Braces removed to allow material movement and not reinstalled

Per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.451(b), scaffold platforms must be at least 18 inches wide and fully planked with no more than 1-inch gaps between planks. Per OSHA 1926.451(g), guardrails are required on all open sides and ends of platforms more than 10 feet above the ground. Guardrail systems must include a top rail at 38-45 inches, a mid rail, and a toeboard at least 3.5 inches high per OSHA 1926.502(b).

1. Measure platform width to confirm minimum 18 inches of usable working space

2. Check gaps between planks do not exceed 1 inch, and between planks and uprights do not exceed 9.5 inches

3. Verify top rails are installed at 38-45 inches on all open sides above 10 feet

4. Confirm mid rails are installed approximately halfway between the top rail and platform

5. Inspect toeboards for minimum 3.5-inch height and secure attachment

- Planks not fully covering the platform width leaving fall hazards

- Guardrails missing on one or more open sides above 10 feet

- Top rail height outside the 38-45 inch range

- Toeboards missing or not secured, allowing tools and materials to fall

Per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.451(e), access must be provided when the scaffold platform is more than 2 feet above or below a point of access. Acceptable access includes ladders, stair towers, ramps, walkways, or direct access from another scaffold or structure. Climbing on cross-braces is prohibited per OSHA 1926.451(e)(1). Ladders and stairways used for access must comply with OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart X.

1. Verify safe access is provided to every scaffold platform more than 2 feet above grade

2. Check that access ladders extend at least 3 feet above the platform landing

3. Confirm stair towers have handrails and are properly secured to the scaffold

4. Verify workers are not using cross-braces as climbing access

5. Inspect access gates or openings in guardrails for proper self-closing mechanisms

- No designated access ladder or stair tower provided for scaffold

- Workers climbing cross-braces to access platforms

- Access ladders not extending above the landing platform

- Guardrail access gates left open or missing self-closing hardware

Per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.451(f)(3), scaffolds must be inspected by a competent person before each work shift and after any occurrence that could affect structural integrity (e.g., severe weather, impact). Per ANSI/ASSE A10.8, a tagging system must be used to indicate scaffold status: green (safe for use), yellow (caution/limited use), or red (do not use/incomplete). Inspection records must be maintained on site.

1. Verify a competent person has been designated and is documented for scaffold inspections

2. Check that the scaffold tag is current and matches the scaffold condition

3. Review inspection logs for daily entries before each work shift

4. Confirm the scaffold was re-inspected after any severe weather or impact event

5. Verify defective scaffolds are tagged red and access is restricted

- No competent person designated or documented for scaffold inspections

- Scaffold tags missing, outdated, or not matching the scaffold condition

- No written inspection records maintained on site

- Scaffold used after weather events without re-inspection