512 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 16-22

Sections

Chapter 22: Working Platforms and Scaffolding

This chapter on work platforms and scaffolding covers the comprehensive guidelines and safety requirements for the construction, operation, maintenance, and use of scaffolding and work platforms in construction and maintenance activities.

This chapter emphasizes requirements for scaffold assembly, operation, maintenance, and use.

The chapter emphasizes the necessity for proper design, erection, use, and inspection of various types of scaffolds and work platforms, including mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), mast climbing work platforms, and suspended scaffolds, to ensure the safety of personnel during construction, alteration, demolition, operations, and maintenance tasks.

It outlines specific qualifications and training of personnel involved in scaffolding operations, including scaffold users, competent persons (CPs) for scaffolding, erectors, and dismantlers. The chapter also details the roles and responsibilities of competent persons, registered professional engineers (RPEs), and operators.

It also addresses the need for Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA) to identify and mitigate potential hazards associated with the use of scaffolding and work platforms to help protect workers from fall hazards, ensure structural integrity, and promote the safe and efficient execution of work at heights.

22-1. References.

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 22-1.

22-1. References.

a.  ANSI/ASSP A10.11, Safety Requirements for Personnel Nets (https://www.assp.org) (21-1.a)

b.  ANSI/ASSP A10.32, Personal Fall Protection Used in Construction and Demolition Operations (https://www.assp.org) (21-1.b)

c.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.0, Definitions and Nomenclature Used for Fall Protection and Fall Arrest (https://www.assp.org) (21-1.c)

d.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.1, The Fall Protection Code (https://www.assp.org)  (21-1.d)

e.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.2, Minimum Requirements for a Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Program (https://www.assp.org)  (21-1.e)

f.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.3, Safety Requirements for Lanyards and Positioning Lanyards (https://www.assp.org) (21-1.f)

g.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.4, Safety Requirements for Assisted-Rescue and Self- Rescue Systems, Subsystems and Components (https://www.assp.org)  (21-1.g)

h.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.6, Specifications and Design Requirements for Active Fall Protection Systems (https://www.assp.org)  (21-1.h)

i.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.7, Qualification and Verification Testing of Fall Protection Products (https://www.assp.org) (21-1.i)

j.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.9-2021, Personal Equipment for Protection Against Falls – Descent Controllers (https://www.assp.org)  (21-1.j)

k.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.11, Safety Requirements for Full Body Harnesses (https://www.assp.org) (21-1.k)

l.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.12, Connecting Components for Personal Fall Arrest Systems (https://www.assp.org) (21-1.l)

m.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.13, Personal Energy Absorbers and Energy Absorbing Lanyards (https://www.assp.org) (21-1.m)

n.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.14, Safety Requirements for Self-Retracting Devices for Personal Fall Arrest and Rescue Systems (https://www.assp.org)  (21-1.n)

o.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.15, Safety Requirements for Single Anchor Lifelines and Fall Arresters for Personal Fall Arrest Systems (https://www.assp.org)  (21-1.o)

p.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.16, Safety Requirements for Climbing Ladder Fall Arrest Systems (https://www.assp.org) (21-1.p)

q.  ANSI/ASSP Z359.18, Safety Requirements for Anchorage Connectors for Active Fall Protection Systems (https://www.assp.org) (21-1.q)

r.  ANSI/ASSP Z490.1, Criteria for Accepted Practices in Safety, Health and Environmental Training (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (21-1.r)

s.  ANSI/Scaffold and Access Industry Association (SAIA) A92.2, Vehicle-Mounted Elevating and Rotating Aerial Devices (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (21-1.s)

t.  ANSI/SAIA A92.3, Manually Propelled Elevating Aerial Platforms (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (21-1.t)

u.  ANSI/SAIA A92.5, Boom-Supported Elevating Work Platforms (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (21-1.u)

v.  ANSI/SAIA A92.6, Self-Propelled Elevating Work Platforms (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (21-1.v)

w.  29 CFR 1910 Subpart D, Walking-Working Surfaces (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2022-title29-vol5/pdf/CFR-2022-title29-vol5- part1910-subpartD.pdf)  (21-1.w)

x.  29 CFR 1910 Subpart I, Personal Protective Equipment (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol5/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol5- part1910-subpartI.pdf) (21-1.x)
y.  29 CFR 1926.106, Working Over or Near Water (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol8/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol8- sec1926-106.pdf)  (21-1.y)

z.  29 CFR 1926.453. Aerial Lifts (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2022- title29-vol8/pdf/CFR-2022-title29-vol8-sec1926-453.pdf)  (21-1.z)

aa. 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting Personnel (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol8/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol8- sec1926-1431.pdf)  (21-1.aa)

bb. 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M, Fall Protection (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol8/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol8- part1926-subpartM.pdf)  (21-1.bb)

22-2. Definitions.

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 22-2.

22-2. Definitions.

a.  Competent Person (CP), Scaffolding.  A person designated in writing by the employer to be responsible for immediate supervision, implementation, and monitoring of the Scaffold Work Plan.  Must have training, knowledge, and experience in scaffolding to be capable of identifying, evaluating, and addressing existing and
potential hazards.  This individual must have the authority to take prompt corrective measures with regard to such hazards.  The term “Competent Person (CP),” as used in this chapter, refers to “Competent Person, Scaffolding.”  (22-2.a)

b.  Float/Ship Scaffold.  A scaffold hung from overhead supports by means of ropes and consisting of a unit having diagonal bracing underneath. The scaffold rests upon and is securely fastened to two parallel planks bearers at right angles to the span. (22-2.b)

c.  Ledger.  A horizontal scaffold member upon which bearers rest; the longitudinal member that joins scaffold uprights, posts, poles, and similar members.  (22-2.c)

d.  Mast Climbing Work Platform (MCWP).  A hoist having a working platform used for temporary purposes to raise personnel and materials to the working position by means of a drive system mounted on an extendable mast which may be tied to a building. (22-2.d)

e.  Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWP).  Any vehicle mounted device, telescoping, or articulating, or both, which is used to position or elevate personnel to jobsites or activities above the ground.  May be made of other material (metal, wood, fiberglass reinforced plastic or other); may be power or manually operated; includes: (22-2.e)

(1)  Aerial Ladder.  An aerial device consisting of a single- or multiple-section extendable ladder.

(2)  Articulating Boom Platform.  An aerial device with two or more hinged boom sections.

(3)  Insulated Aerial Device.  An aerial device designed for work on energized lines and apparatus.

f.  Mudsill. A 2 inch x 10 inch x 8 inch (5.1 cm x 25.4 cm x 20.3 cm) (minimum) wood plate that is used to distribute the scaffolding load over a suitable ground area. (22-2.f)

g.  Outrigger. Extendable or fixed structural members with one end attached to
the base of a piece of equipment and the other end resting on floats on the ground used to distribute loads in supporting equipment.  (22-2.g)

h.  Platform. A work surface elevated above lower levels.  Platforms can be constructed using individual wood planks, fabricated planks, fabricated decks, and fabricated platforms.  (22-2.h)

i.  Qualified Mast-Climbing Work Platform (MCWP) Operator.  An employee designated in writing by the employer that has been trained by a CP for Scaffolding;
must be able to recognize hazards associated with mast-climbing scaffolds; have specific equipment familiarization prior to operation.  (22-2.i)

j.  Qualified Person (QP).  See paragraphs 1-2 or 2-2, as applicable.  (22-2.j)

k.  Registered Professional Engineer (RPE).  See paragraphs 1-2 or 2-2, as applicable.  (22-2.k)

l.  Runway. A personnel passageway elevated above the surrounding floor or ground level, such as a foot walk along shafting or a walkway between scaffolds. (22-2.l)

m. Scaffold. Temporary elevated platform (supported or suspended) and its supporting structure (including anchorage points), used for supporting employee(s), materials, or both.  (22-2.m)

n.  Scaffold, Hanging.  A scaffold/work platform that is hung from a location (such as a lock gate) for work to be performed and that remains stationary until it is then repositioned with a crane/hoisting device.  (22-2.n)

o.  Scaffold, Load Ratings.  Maximum loadings for the following categories: (22-2.o)

(1)  Heavy Duty.  A scaffold designed and constructed to carry a working load of
    75 lbs/ft2  (3.2 kg/m2), that is intended for stone masonry work, with storage material on the platform.

(2)  Medium Duty. A scaffold designed and constructed to carry a working load of
    50 lbs/ft2 (2.1 kg/m2), that is intended for bricklayers or plasterers, with weight of material in addition to workers.

(3)  Light Duty. A scaffold designed and constructed to carry specific working load of 25 lbs/ft2 (1.1 kg/m2), that is intended for workers only, with no material storage other than weight for tools.

(4)  Special Duty. A scaffold designed and constructed to carry specific types of objects, such as palletized materials.  The design of planks and other types of scaffold units, the scaffold, and accessories will be based on categories of load ratings.

p.  Scaffold, Mason’s Multiple-Point Adjustable Suspension.  A scaffold having a continuous platform supported by bearers suspended by wire rope hoists from overhead supports.  (22-2.p)

q.  Scaffold, Metal Frame.  A scaffold consisting of a work platform supported by prefabricated metal frames.  (22-2.q)

r.  Scaffold, Needle-Beam.  A platform resting on two bearers that is suspended by a line. (22-2.r)

s.  Scaffold, Pump Jack.  A scaffold consisting of a work platform supported by movable support brackets mounted on vertical poles.  (22-2.s)

t.  Scaffold, Trestle Ladder.  A work platform supported by a trestle ladder.  A trestle ladder is self-supporting portable ladder that can be adjustable in length, consisting of two sections, hinged at the top to form equal angles with the base.  (22-2.t)

u.  Scaffold, Tube and Coupler.  A scaffold consisting of a work platform supported by individual pieces of tubing (uprights, bearers, runners, bracing) connected with couplers. (22-2.u)

v.  Scaffold, Two-Point Suspension (swinging scaffold/swinging stage).  A suspension scaffold consisting of a platform supported by hangers (stirrups) suspended by two ropes from overhead supports and equipped with means to raise and lower the platform.  (22-2.v)

w.  Scaffold, Window Jack.  A supported scaffold consisting of a platform supported by a bracket or jack that projects through a window opening.  (22-2.w)

x.  Supported Scaffolds.  One or more platforms supported by outrigger beams, brackets, poles, legs, uprights, posts, frames, or similar rigid support such as frame scaffolds or fabricated frame, pole or wood pole, mobile scaffolds, mast climbing scaffolds.  (22-2.x)

y. Turbine Maintenance Platforms (TMPs). A type of scaffold unique to hydropower operations and maintenance that incorporates aspects of both suspended scaffolds and hanging scaffolds. These TMPs are assembled in the draft tube below the turbine where they are physically attached to the structure.  Some TMPs must be assembled below the turbine at the draft tube door level and raised into position and may also be required to be close to the turbine blades such that the TMP must wrap around the turbine hub. This applies to vertical access turbines where the TMP is assembled under the runner.  (22-2.y)

z.  Vehicle-Mounted Elevating and Rotating Work Platforms.  An elevating and rotating work platform mounted on the chassis of a commercial vehicle.  (22-2.z)