General

1. Review and have this Scaffolding Procedures available for review at the work site.
2. Follow all applicable federal, state and local codes when designing, erecting, dismantling and using scaffolding.  In California, the erection and dismantling of scaffolds over 3 stories (36 feet) in height may require the production to obtain a Cal/OSHA Permit. 
3. All scaffold equipment must be inspected before use.  Damaged or defective equipment must not be used and should be removed from the work site.  Erected scaffolds should be continually inspected by all users to ensure that they are maintained in safe condition.
4. Do not abuse or misuse scaffold equipment.
5. Scaffolds must not be subjected to loads greater than its maximum intended working load.
6. The maximum intended working load for each scaffold shall be posted at a conspicuous location at the jobsite or be provided to each supervisory employee who should have it readily available at the jobsite.

Scaffold Design Requirements 

Scaffold systems must be properly designed to perform their intended function.  The following minimum requirements must be observed:

1. Scaffold systems must be designed by a qualified person and must be constructed and loaded in accordance with the design.  For prefabricated scaffold systems, the approval of a qualified person can be assumed within the limitations specified by the manufacturer.
2. Scaffolds must be designed and constructed using a dead load safety factor that will ensure the scaffold supports, without failure, its own weight and 4 times the maximum intended working (live) load applied or transmitted to it.  Maximum intended working loads are as follows:
   • Light-Duty Scaffolds:     25 pounds per square foot of work platform
   • Medium-Duty Scaffolds: 50 pounds per square foot of work platform
   • Heavy-Duty Scaffolds:   75 Pounds per square foot of work platform
3. Designs for wood scaffolds over 60 feet in height and metal scaffolds over 125 feet in height must be approved by a Registered Professional Engineer.
4. When the height of a scaffold exceeds 4 times its minimum base dimension (US) or 3 times its minimum base dimension (Califonia) it must be restrained from tipping.  The following minimum requirements must be observed:
   • The bottom tie must be placed no higher than 3 times the minimum base width and every 26 feet vertically thereafter.  Ties must be placed as close to the top of the scaffold as possible and, in no case, less than 3 times the minimum base width of the scaffold from the top.
   • Vertical ties must be placed at the ends of scaffold runs and at no more than 30 foot horizontal intervals in between.
   • Ties must be installed as the scaffold erection progresses and not removed until the scaffold is dismantled to that height.
   • Enclosures, side brackets, cantilevered platforms, pulleys or hoist arms, and wind conditions introduce overturning and uplift forces that must be considered and compensated for. These assemblies may require additional bracing, tying or guying.
   • Circular scaffolds erected completely around or within a structure may be restrained from tipping by the use of “stand off” bracing members.
   • Each leg of a freestanding tower must be guyed at the intervals outlined above or otherwise restrained to prevent tipping or overturning.
   • Scaffolds draped with blacks, backings or other enclosing material will require extra support due to wind loading.
   • The hanging of lights or other heavy equipment may require the use of counterweights to prevent instability.
5. Work platforms must be fully planked either with scaffold grade solid sawn or laminated plank, in good sound condition, or with fabricated platforms in good condition.  Planking must also meet the following conditions:
• Only scaffold grade wood planking or fabricated planking and decking with a nominal dimension of 2 x 10 inches must be used.
• Planking shall have at least 12 inches of overlap and extend 6 inches past center of support, or be cleated or restrained at both ends to prevent planking from sliding off its supports.
• Planks must not extend beyond the support by more than 18 inches.  
• Overhangs must be separated from the work platform by guardrails so they cannot be walked on.
• Planks and / or platforms must be secured to scaffolding when necessary to prevent uplift or displacement because of high winds or other job
6. Guardrails must be used on all open sides and ends of scaffold platforms.  Top and midrails that withstand 200 pounds are both required.
7. Toeboards (4 inches tall) are required whenever people are required to work or pass under or around the scaffold platform.
8. Access must be provided to all work platforms.  If access is not available from the structure, access ladders, frames with built-in ladders or stairways must be provided.  When frames with built-in ladders are used, cleated plank or fabricated plank must be used at platform levels to minimize or eliminate platform overhang.  Access ladders must extend at least 3 feet above platforms.
9. Anchorage and bracing shall be such that scaffolds and falsework will be prevented from swaying, tipping, or collapsing.

Scaffold Erection Requirements

Scaffold systems must be properly assembled and dismantled to ensure the safety of the installation crew and to provide a safe working surface for other crew members.

1. A competent person must oversee the erection and dismantling of all scaffolds.
2. The work site must be inspected before assembly begins to determine the ground conditions or strength of the supporting structure.   The proximity of electrical power lines, overhead obstructions, wind conditions, the need for overhead protection or weather protection should also be considered.
3. The scaffold base must be set on an adequate sill or pad to prevent slipping or sinking, and fixed to an appropriate structure where required.  Use adjusting screws or other approved methods to adjust to uneven grade conditions.  Unstable objects such as blocks, loose bricks, etc., shall not be used.
4. Requirements for bracing, leveling and plumbing of tube and clamp scaffolds include:
   • Posts must be erected plumb in all directions, with the first level of runners and bearers positioned as close to the base as feasible.  The distance between bearers and runners shall not exceed manufacturer’s recommendations.
   • Plumb, level and tie the scaffold as erection proceeds.  Do not force frames or braces to fit.  Level the scaffold until proper fit can easily be made.
   • Fasten all couplers and / or connections securely before assembly of the next level.
5. All scaffolding components shall be installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.  Scaffolding components shall not be altered during assembly.
6. Vertical and / or horizontal diagonal bracing must be installed according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
7. Scaffold frames and their components manufactured by different companies shall not be intermixed unless the component parts readily fit together and the resulting scaffold’s structural integrity is maintained.
8. Do not erect scaffolds closer to electrical power lines that the voltage-specific clearance requirement unless proper precautions are taken. Scaffolding must not be erected within 10 feet of any energized electrical power lines.  Voltages greater than 50,000 volts require additional clearance.  Contact the Production Safety Consultant prior to erecting or positioning scaffolding in the vicinity of energized electrical power lines.
9. All persons erecting or dismantling scaffolds must wear hard hats.
10. Personnel must be protected from falls by the use of personal fall arrest systems.
11. Before use, the erected assembly must be checked to ensure that it complies with all applicable safety codes, that nuts and bolts are properly tightened, that it is level and plumb, that work platforms are fully planked, that guardrails are in place and safe access is provided.

Scaffold Dismantling Requirements

1. Check the scaffolding to ensure that it has not been structurally altered in a way that would make it unsafe.  If it has, reconstruct the scaffolding where necessary before commencing with the dismantling process.
2. Consideration must be given as to the effect that removal of a component will have on the rest of the scaffold prior to that component’s removal.
3. Do not accumulate excess components or equipment on the level being dismantled.
4. Do not remove ties until the scaffold above has been removed (dismantled).
5. Lower dismantled components in an orderly manner.  Do not throw components off of the scaffold.
6. Dismantled equipment should be stockpiled in an orderly manner.
7.  Use only proper access.  Do not climb cross braces or vertical members.  Do not climb scaffold components unless they are specifically designed for that purpose.
8. All persons erecting or dismantling scaffolds must wear hard hats.
9. Personnel must be protected from falls by the use of personal fall arrest systems.

Rolling Scaffolds

1. Riding rolling scaffolds is prohibited.
2. Casters with plain stems shall be attached to the panel or adjustment screw by pins or other suitable means.
3. The screw jack shall extend into its leg tube at least 1/3 its length, but in no case shall the exposed thread between the bottom of the adjusting nut and the top of the caster extend more than 12 inches.
4. Wheels or casters shall be provided with a locking means to prevent caster rotation and scaffold movement and kept locked.
5. Joints shall be restrained from separation.
6. Use horizontal diagonal bracing near the bottom and at 20 foot intervals measured from the rolling surface.
7. Do not use brackets or other platform extensions without compensating for the overturning effect.
8. The platform height of a Rolling Scaffold must not exceed 3 times the smallest base dimension.
9. Secure or remove all materials and equipment from platform before moving.
10. Do not attempt to move a rolling scaffold without sufficient help – watch out for holes in the floor and overhead obstructions – stabilize against tipping.
11. Move rolling scaffolds from the base level only.  Do not pull or push from the top.
12. Lock all casters before getting on a rolling scaffold.  Casters must be locked at all times the scaffold is not being moved.
13. Do not bridge between rolling scaffolds.

Scaffold Use Requirements

Serious injury or death can result from improper actions when working on or around scaffolding.  The following practices must be adhered to at all times when working on or around scaffolding:

1. Inspect the scaffold assembly prior to each use to ensure that:
   • It is assembled correctly.
   • It is level and plumb.
   • The base plates are in firm contact with the sills.
   • Bracing is in place and connected.
   • Platforms are fully planked.
   • Guardrails are in place including along all open sides and on platform ends.
   • The scaffold is properly tied and / or guyed if necessary (i.e., if the height-to-base ratio exceeds 4:1 (US) or 3:1 (California)).
   • Safe access is provided.
2. Use only the safe means of access that is provided.  Do not climb bracing or frames not specifically designed for climbing.  If such access is not provided, insist that it be provided.  Climb safely as follows:
   • Face the rungs as you climb up or down and use both hands.  Do not try to carry materials while you climb.
   • Be sure of your footing and balance while climbing.  Keep one hand firmly on the frame or ladder at all times.
   • Do not work on ladder rungs.
   • Do not jump onto planks or platforms.
3. Platforms on all working levels or scaffolds must be fully planked or decked.  Openings between planks or between planks and uprights cannot exceed 1 inch unless necessary to fit around obstacles.
4. Do not overload platforms.  Loads on planks should be evenly distributed and should not exceed the allowable loads for the type of plank being used.  No more than one person should stand on an individual plank at a time.
   
5. Unless all open sides of the scaffold are protected by a top rail and midrail, personnel must utilize fall protection devices.
   
6. Working height must not be extended by placing planking on guardrails or by using boxes or ladders on scaffold platforms.
   
7. Do not remove any components of a completed scaffold assembly except under the supervision of a qualified person.  Any component that has been removed should be immediately replaced.
   
8.  Side and end brackets are designed to only support people.  Material must never be placed on cantilevered platforms unless the assembly has been designed to support material loads.
   
9. Bridging between towers cannot be done with planks or stages unless the assembly is designed by a qualified person.
   
10. Scaffolds cannot be used as material hoist towers or for mounting derricks unless the assembly is so designed by a qualified person.
    
11. Scaffolds must never be draped with blacks, backings or other enclosing materials unless they are designed for this, due to the added wind load forces created by the material.
    
12. Never apply shock loads to the scaffold platform. Never jump down onto the platform.
    
13. Never take chances while working with scaffolds!  If you are in doubt regarding the safety or use of a scaffold, consult with your supervisor immediately or contact Production Safety.
    
14. Do not work on scaffolds if your physical condition is such that you feel dizzy or unsteady in any way.
15. Do not use, erect or dismantle scaffolding near or where contact can be made with power lines or other energized electrical conductors. Always maintain a safe clearance of at least 10 feet from any electrical source. Voltages greater than 50,000 volts require additional clearance.  Contact the Production Safety Consultant prior to erecting or positioning scaffolding in the vicinity of energized electrical power lines.
16. When hoisting material from the ground, control it with a tagline.

Employee Information and Training

Each employee who performs work while on a scaffold shall be trained by a person qualified in the subject matter to recognize the hazards associated with the type of scaffold being used and to understand the procedures to control or minimize those hazards. The training shall include the following areas, as applicable:

1. The nature of any electrical hazards, fall hazards and falling object hazards in the work area;
2. The correct procedures for dealing with electrical hazards and for erecting, maintaining, and disassembling the fall protection systems and falling object protection systems being used;
3. The proper use of the scaffold, and the proper handling of materials on the scaffold;
4. The maximum intended load and the load-carrying capacities of the scaffolds used;
5. Any other pertinent requirements of this program.

Each employee who is involved in erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, maintaining, or inspecting a scaffold trained by a competent person to recognize any hazards associated with the work in question. The training shall include the following topics, as applicable:

1. The nature of scaffold hazards;
2. The correct procedures for erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, inspecting, and maintaining the type of scaffold in question;
3. The design criteria, maximum intended load-carrying capacity and intended use of the scaffold;
4. Any other pertinent requirements of this program.

When the employer has reason to believe that an employee lacks the skill or understanding needed for safe work involving the erection, use or dismantling of scaffolds, the employer shall retrain each such employee so that the requisite proficiency is regained. Retraining is required in at least the following situations:

1. Where changes at the worksite present a hazard about which an employee has not been previously trained; or
2. Where changes in the types of scaffolds, fall protection, falling object protection, or other equipment present a hazard about which an employee has not been previously trained; or
3. Where inadequacies in an affected employee's work involving scaffolds indicate that the employee has not retained the requisite proficiency.