Scaffolding is essential to construction and maintenance, with OSHA estimating that 65% of the construction industry workforce performs work on scaffolds. Yet scaffold-related incidents cause approximately 60 fatalities and 4,500 injuries per year in the United States. Scaffolding violations (29 CFR 1926.451) are perennially among OSHA's top 10 most frequently cited standards. A thorough daily inspection by a competent person is one of the most critical safeguards against scaffold collapse, falls, and struck-by hazards.
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Download Checklist (.docx)Why Scaffold Inspections Are Required
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.451 — Scaffolds (Construction)
The primary federal standard governing scaffolding in construction. Key inspection provisions include:
- 1926.451(f)(7): Scaffolds and scaffold components shall be inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift and after any occurrence that could affect the structural integrity.
- 1926.451(a)(1): Each scaffold and scaffold component shall support, without failure, its own weight and at least four times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it.
- 1926.451(a)(6): Scaffolds shall be designed by a qualified person and erected, moved, dismantled, or altered only under the supervision of a competent person.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.452 — Specific Scaffold Types
This standard provides additional requirements for specific scaffold types including supported scaffolds, suspended scaffolds, mobile scaffolds (rolling towers), aerial lifts used as scaffolds, pump jack scaffolds, and ladder jack scaffolds. Each type has unique inspection points based on its design and hazards.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.454 — Training Requirements
OSHA requires training for all employees who work on or around scaffolds. Employees must be trained to recognize hazards associated with the type of scaffold being used and to understand the procedures to control or minimize those hazards. The competent person must be trained in scaffold erection, dismantlement, and inspection procedures.
Supported Scaffold Inspection: Daily Checks
Supported scaffolds (frame, tube-and-coupler, system scaffolds) are the most common type. The competent person must inspect these items before each work shift.
| Inspection Item | Expected Result / What to Check |
|---|---|
| Base plates and mudsills | Base plates on all legs, resting on firm foundation. Mudsills (sole boards) level, adequate size to distribute load, and not cracked or deteriorated. No settling or shifting. |
| Screw jacks / leveling | Screw jacks used to level scaffold, not overextended beyond manufacturer limits. All legs plumb and level. Base plates fully in contact with screw jacks. |
| Frames and uprights | No bent, cracked, or corroded frame members. Cross braces installed on both sides at every level. All frame connections locked and pins in place. |
| Cross bracing | Cross braces installed at each end and along the full length per design. Brace connections secure with all pins and clips in place. No bent or damaged braces. |
| Planking / platforms | Platforms fully planked with no gaps exceeding 1 inch (except at scaffold legs). Planks overlap at least 6 inches over supports or are secured. No cracked, warped, or split planks. Platform at least 18 inches wide for work platforms. |
| Guardrails | Top rail at 38-45 inches above platform. Mid rail at approximately half the top rail height. Toeboards at least 3.5 inches tall installed on all open sides and ends. All rails secure without excessive deflection. |
| Access | Safe access provided via ladder, stair tower, ramp, or integral scaffold frame access. Access points do not require climbing cross braces. Ladders extend 3 feet above the platform. |
| Ties and anchors | Scaffold tied to the building or structure at intervals per the design (typically every 26 feet vertically and 30 feet horizontally). Tie connections secure and not damaged. |
| Electrical clearance | Minimum clearance from energized power lines maintained (at least 10 feet for lines up to 50kV per OSHA). No conductive materials in contact with electrical sources. |
| Load and housekeeping | No excessive material storage on platforms beyond rated capacity. Work area free of debris, ice, snow, and slip hazards. Tools and materials secured to prevent falling objects. |
Suspended Scaffold Additional Checks
Suspended scaffolds (swing stages, two-point suspended) have additional critical inspection items due to their reliance on wire rope and rigging.
| Inspection Item | Expected Result / What to Check |
|---|---|
| Wire ropes | No broken wires exceeding manufacturer limits (typically 6 in one lay or 3 in one strand). No kinks, birdcaging, corrosion, or core protrusion. Rope diameter not reduced more than allowed. Proper rope grade for the hoist. |
| Hoists and descent devices | Hoists operating smoothly in both directions. Brakes holding under load. No oil leaks, unusual noises, or binding. Manufacturer inspection and maintenance current. |
| Outrigger beams / roof hooks | Outrigger beams properly counterweighted (minimum 4:1 ratio) or positively secured. Roof hooks seated properly on structural members. Not resting on parapets alone without positive attachment. |
| Counterweights | Correct type and amount of counterweight per engineering design. Weights secured to outrigger beam (not loose). No substitution of materials not designed as counterweights. |
| Secondary safety lines | Independent lifelines for each worker attached to separate anchorage. Lifelines in good condition without cuts, abrasion, or UV damage. Personal fall arrest system attached to lifeline. |
Corrective Actions
Immediate Response
- Immediately evacuate all workers from the scaffold
- Tag the scaffold "Do Not Use" and barricade access points
- Notify the competent person and site supervisor
- Document the deficiency with photographs and descriptions
- Do not allow any work on the scaffold until deficiencies are corrected
Repair and Re-Inspection
- Repairs must be made under the direction of the competent person
- Replacement components must match the scaffold system and design specifications
- After corrections, the competent person must conduct a complete re-inspection
- Document the repair, parts replaced, and return-to-service inspection
- Remove "Do Not Use" tags only after the competent person authorizes return to service
Best Practices
Scaffold Tagging System
Many organizations implement a color-coded tagging system for scaffolds:
- Green tag: Scaffold inspected, complete, and safe for use
- Yellow tag: Scaffold has known limitations or hazards (e.g., incomplete guardrails on one level); specific restrictions noted on tag
- Red tag: Scaffold is not safe for use. Do not enter or climb.
Tags should include the date, competent person name, and any restrictions. Tags must be updated after each inspection.
Weather Considerations
Scaffolds require re-inspection after any weather event that could affect structural integrity. High winds (over 25 mph for personnel hoists, over 40 mph for general scaffolds), heavy rain, snow or ice accumulation, lightning, and earthquakes all require a thorough re-inspection by the competent person before workers return.
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Get our scaffold inspection checklist in Word format for supported, suspended, and mobile scaffolds.
Download Checklist (.docx)Ecesis EHS Software
Inspections
Digital inspection forms with mobile completion, photo capture, and corrective actions.
Safety Inspections
Workplace safety inspections with automated scheduling and deficiency tracking.
Preventive Maintenance
Schedule periodic scaffold inspections and track component maintenance.
Training
Track competent person training, scaffold user training, and refresher courses.
Compliance Calendar
Track inspection deadlines, recurring maintenance, and training due dates.
Task Management
Assign and track corrective actions from scaffold inspections to completion.
