Preventing Scaffolding Collapse

Workers in the construction industry face a laundry list of hazards, and scaffolding safety is a not-to-be-missed item on that list. Major causes of scaffolding-related injuries include falling, being struck by objects falling from above, and electrocution from nearby power lines.¹ Any workers using scaffolding should, of course, be aware of any electrical hazards and use appropriate fall protection for themselves and any tools or materials they may be using.

One hazard workers may find difficult to control is the stability of the scaffold itself. Scaffolding can collapse when it is designed or built by unqualified individuals, or when workers are untrained on how to properly use the scaffold without overloading it.¹ 

Here are a few of the things you need to know to keep scaffolding secure and stable for your workers.

Know the terminology. A scaffold is any elevated, temporary work platform and includes both supported and suspended varieties.² Supported scaffolds are held in place by rigid, load-bearing structures, such as poles, legs, frames, outriggers, etc. Scissor lifts and aerial lifts are also considered types of supported scaffold.^1,3 Suspended scaffolds hang from ropes or other nonrigid overhead support.¹  

Start with the design. Whether you have an employee dedicated to scaffold design or outsource it to a subcontractor, be sure your scaffold designer has the proper credentials. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that scaffolds be designed by registered professional engineers in the following circumstances.⁴

• Pole scaffolds more than 60 feet in height.
• Tube and coupler scaffolds more than 125 feet in height.
• Fabricated frame scaffolds (tubular welded frame scaffolds, welded end frame scaffolds, walk-through frame scaffolds) more than 125 feet in height.
• Outrigger scaffolds.
• Nonmobile scaffolds must not be moved horizontally with workers on them, unless a registered professional engineer designed the scaffold specifically for the move.

Train erectors and dismantlers. OSHA requires that any person involved in building or disassembling a scaffold be properly trained.⁵ Trainers must have the knowledge and experience to identify existing or predictable hazards, and must have the authority to correct those hazards. If you outsource scaffold construction, be sure to ask how the building teams are trained.

Train end users. Any worker who must use the scaffold is required by OSHA to receive appropriate training.⁵ This training should include proper scaffold use, maximum loads, fall protection, electrical hazards, and any hazards specific to the job site or particular scaffold design. Again, training must be conducted by a qualified, experienced individual capable of identifying hazards and correcting problems. If you outsource scaffolding, your subcontractor may be able to provide this training for your employees. Training should be revisited any time your employees use a new type of scaffold or demonstrate unsafe behaviors.

Keeping your employees safe on scaffolding is a simple, but vital, part of many construction projects. If you have questions about scaffolding safety, please feel free to contact our Loss Prevention team for more information.

1. “Scaffolding.” U.S. Dept. of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), www.osha.gov/scaffolding/construction (Accessed November 28, 2022).
2. 29 C.F.R. § 1926.450 (2022) (Definitions).
3. 29 C.F.R. § 1926.453 (2022) (Aerial lifts).
4. 29 C.F.R. § 1926.452 (2022) (Additional requirements applicable to specific types of scaffolds) and 29 C.F.R. § 1926.451(f)(5) (2022) (General requirements).
5. 29 C.F.R. § 1926.454 (2022) (Training requirements), 29 C.F.R. § 1926.451(f)(7) (General requirements), 29 C.F.R. § Pt. 1926, Subpt. L, App. A (2022) (Scaffold specifications) & 29 C.F.R. § Pt. 1926, Subpt. L, App. D (2022) (List of training topics for scaffold erectors and dismantlers).

The information presented is intended to provide guidance and is not intended as a legal interpretation of any federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations applicable to your business. The loss prevention information provided is intended only to assist policyholders of Summit managed insurers in the management of potential loss producing conditions involving their premises and/or operations based on generally accepted safe practices. In providing such information, Summit Consulting LLC does not warrant that all potential hazards or conditions have been evaluated or can be controlled. It is not intended as an offer to write insurance for such conditions or exposures. The liability of Summit Consulting LLC and its managed insurers is limited to the terms, limits and conditions of the insurance policies underwritten by any of them.