Page 280 - Safety Memo

5. An employee approaching within 6 ft. of any finished e. Engineered scaffolds: as determined by a California
skylight or skylight opening must be protected from falling registered Civil Engineer with scaffold design
through the skylight or opening as specified in 3212(e). experience.
5. The erecting and dismantling of scaffolds are regulated
Scaffolds as follows:
a. Scaffold erection and dismantlement must be
Work activities associated with scaffolds are subject to many supervised by a qualified person. 1637(k)(1)
hazards; however, falls are by far the number-one cause of injury
or death among construction workers. The following b. Scaffolds must be erected and dismantled according
requirements regulate the design, erection, use, and dismantling to design standards, engineered specifications, or
manufacturer’s instructions. 3328, and 1637(k)
of scaffolds:
c. A DOSH permit is required for erecting and dismantling
A. General requirements scaffolds that exceed three stories or 36 ft. in height.
1. Scaffolds must be provided for work that cannot be done 341(d)(5)(B)
safely by employees standing on ladders or on solid 6. Scaffold access: Ladders, horizontal members, and
construction that is at least 20 inches wide. stairways must provide safe and unobstructed access to
Exception: A 12-inch wide plank on members that are on all platforms. The equipment must be located so that its
24-inch (or closer) centers is permitted. 1637(a) use will not disturb the stability of the scaffold: 1637(n)
2. The design and construction of scaffolds must conform a. Ladders may be used, as follows:
to applicable standards and requirements 1637, ANSI 1. Portable ladders shall comply with T8 CCR 3276.
A10.8-1988, ANSI/ASSE A10.8-2001. Standards are 1675(b)
based on stress grade lumber. Metal or aluminum may
be substituted if the structural integrity of the scaffold is 2. Fixed ladders shall comply with T8 CCR 3277.
maintained. 1637(b) 1675(c)
3. Manufactured scaffolds shall be used in accordance with 3. Ladders must be securely attached to scaffolds.
the manufacturer’s recommendations. 1637(b)(4) 1637(n)
Exception: Where specific requirements that address 4. Ladders must extend 3 ft. above the platform, or
riding on a rolling scaffold in section 1646(i) and (j) may handholds must be provided. 3276(e)(11)
conflict with the manufacturer’s recommendations, the
provisions in section 1646(i) and (j) take precedence. b. Manufactured hook-on and attachable ladders shall be
securely attached to the scaffold and: 1637(n)
4. Each scaffold must be designed to support its own weight
and 4 times the maximum load. Maximum working loads 1. Shall be specifically designed for the type of
are as follows:1637(b) scaffold used;
a. Light-duty scaffolds: 25 psf of work platform. 2. Shall have a minimum rung length of 11 1/2 in.
(29 cm);
b. Medium-duty scaffolds: 50 psf of work platform.
3. Shall have uniformly spaced rungs with a
c. Heavy-duty scaffolds: 75 psf of work platform. maximum spacing between rungs of 16 3/4 in;
d. Special-duty scaffolds: exceeding 75 psf as 4. Shall be positioned so that their bottom rung is not
determined by a qualified person or a California more than 24 inches (61 cm) above the scaffold
registered Civil Engineer with scaffold design supporting level; and
experience.
5. When hook-on and attachable ladders are used
on a supported scaffold more than 35 feet (10.7
m) high, they shall have rest platforms at 35-foot

118 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2019 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2019 119