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Scaffolding #2: Work Platforms & Planks

Apr 28, 2025

ISSUES:

  1. Loose or weak platforms and planks can shift or break and cause a worker to fall.
  2. Unsound scaffold platforms and planks pose a severe risk of collapse.
  3. Cracks, splits, and other defects compromise the platform or plank’s integrity.
  4. Regular inspections that are essential to catch these issues before they lead to significant problems are often ignored or not performed.

SOURCES OF HAZARDS:

  1. Badly or improperly installed platforms and supports.
  2. Use of unsuitable, damaged, and faulty planks.
  3. Inadequately supported scaffold boards.
  4. Overloading of platform and board.
  5. OSHA regulations are not followed.

REGULATIONS:

CAPACITY:

1926.451(a)(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(5), and (g) of this section, each scaffold and scaffold component shall be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it.

1926.451(b)(1)(i) Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(5), and (g) of this section, each scaffold and scaffold component shall be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it.

1926.451(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(5), and (g) of this section, each scaffold and scaffold component shall be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it.

Section 1926.451(f)(16) Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(5), and (g) of this section, each scaffold and scaffold component shall be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it.

1926.451(b)(2)(ii) Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(5), and (g) of this section, each scaffold and scaffold component shall be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it.

1926.451(b)(3) Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(5), and (g) of this section, each scaffold and scaffold component shall be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it.

1926.451(b)(3)(ii) Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(5), and (g) of this section, each scaffold and scaffold component shall be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it.

1926.451(b)(4) Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(5), and (g) of this section, each scaffold and scaffold component shall be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it.

1926.451(b)(5)(ii) Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(5), and (g) of this section, each scaffold and scaffold component shall be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it.

USE:

1926.451(a)(6) Scaffolds shall be designed by a qualified person and shall be constructed and loaded in accordance with that design. Non-mandatory appendix A to this subpart contains examples of criteria that will enable an employer to comply with paragraph (a) of this section.

INSPECTIONS:

1926.451(f)(3) Scaffolds and scaffold components shall be inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift, and after any occurrence which could affect a scaffold’s structural integrity.

WOOD PLANK DEFECTS:

  • Separation of laminated layers — This is usually due to repeated changes in moisture levels as layers soak up the rain and then dry in the sun
  • Cuts of any kind
  • Pressure cracks in the top or bottom layer
  • Warping from wear and weather
  • Wanes, Spike knots, Sap lines, Splits, or worn holes
  • Painted planks are not allowed

Aluminum Panels: Look for cuts and defects in frames or broken hooks, bent, cracked, or broken rungs, or any with panels with locking devices missing or broken.

WOOD DECKING REQUIREMENTS AND PRIORITIES:

  • Each end of the plank must extend over the centerline of its support by at least 6” or be secured with cleats or some other positive means.
  • Platforms less than 10’ long must not extend past its support more than 12” unless secured or guarded.
  • Platforms greater than 10’ long must not extend past its support more than 18” unless secured or guarded.
  • Overlapping planks that form a long platform must overlap a minimum of 12”, and only over a support unless nailed or secured.

IMPORTANT DECKING/PLATFORM RULES:

  1. Each platform on all working levels of scaffolds shall be fully planked or decked between the front uprights and the guardrail supports. Platform units could include scaffold-grade wooden planks, approved composite or metal fabricated planks, a fabricated deck, or a fabricated platform; Each platform unit shall be installed so that the space between adjacent units and the space between the platform and the uprights is no longer than 1 inch wide. One exception to this rule is when the Competent Person has determined that a wider space is necessary (for example, to fit around uprights when side brackets are used to extend the width of the platform). In those special cases, the platform shall be planked or decked as fully as possible and the remaining open space between the platform and the uprights shall not exceed 9 ½ inches.
  2. The front edge of all platforms shall not be more than 14 inches from the face of the work, unless guardrail systems are erected along the front edge, and/or personal fall arrest systems approved by the Competent Person are used to protect employees from falling. There are only two other exceptions to this 14-inch rule:
    • The maximum distance from the face for outrigger scaffolds shall be 3 inches;
    • The maximum distance from the face for plastering and lathing operations shall be 18 inches.
  3. On scaffolds where scaffold planks are butted end-to-end to create a long platform, each abutted end shall rest on a separate support surface or a support abutting plank or make certain that hook-on platforms designed to rest on common supports are used.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SCAFFOLDING PLATFORMS:

HERE ARE IMPORTANT DO’S TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN WORKING ON SCAFFOLDING PLATFORMS:

  1. Do confirm that each working deck is completely decked.
  2. Do us scaffold decks that have been inspected by a competent person.
  3. Do maintain all clearance distances and spacing required by OSHA.
  4. Do make sure that all decking planks are supported on a bearer.
  5. Do inspect planks for defects.
  6. Do follow scaffold manufacturers’ guidance regarding platform/decking use.

HERE ARE IMPORTANT DON’TS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN WORKING ON SCAFFOLDING PLATFORMS:

  1. Don’t utilize scaffolding platforms/decks that are not inspected before use.
  2. Don’t ignore the condition of any decking material.
  3. Don’t use unsuitable, damaged, or faulty planks or any hooks showing damage or that are broken.
  4. Don’t overload any platform or plank.
  5. Don’t forget to do your own self-check of the scaffolding platform/decking.
  6. Don’t assume that others from previous days or shifts have left the scaffolding platform/deck safe.
  7. Don’t use and platform or deck lees that are 18 inches wide.

“1926.451 – General Requirements. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Osha.gov, 2019, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.451.

 

 

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