Scaffold Training: Who Needs What (User, Erector and Competent Person)
Not everyone near a scaffold needs the same training. OSHA’s scaffold training rule, 1926.454, splits it by what the person does. Get it wrong and you can be cited even when the scaffold itself is fine.
Here is who needs what, in plain words.
The three roles
| Role | What they do | Who trains them |
|---|---|---|
| User | Works on the scaffold | A person qualified in the subject matter |
| Erector or dismantler | Builds, takes down, moves or changes it | A competent person |
| Competent person | Inspects every shift and directs any changes | Able to spot hazards, with the power to fix them right away |
1. Scaffold users
Anyone who works on a scaffold must be trained to know the hazards and how to control them. Topics include:
- Fall hazards and how the guardrails or harnesses work
- Falling object hazards
- Electrical hazards, like power lines nearby
- How to use the scaffold and handle materials on it
- How much load the scaffold can hold
Scaffold Safety for Workers Who Use Scaffolds covers the user training.
2. Erectors and dismantlers
The rule covers people who are erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, maintaining, or inspecting a scaffold. They must be trained by a competent person. Topics include the hazards of that work, the right way to build and take apart the scaffold type, and the design limits.
Do you build scaffolds? Our Scaffold Erector and Dismantler course covers building and taking down scaffolds the right way. It is part of The Dojo, our full course library.
3. The competent person
The competent person checks the scaffold before each work shift. They also direct any building, moving or changing of it. OSHA defines a competent person as someone who can spot existing and likely hazards and has the power to fix them right away. Scaffold Competent Person is built for this role.
When to retrain
Retrain a worker when:
- The job site changes in a way that brings a new hazard
- The type of scaffold, fall protection or falling object protection changes
- The worker shows they did not learn it, by how they work
Pick the right course
- Works on scaffolds: Scaffold Safety for Workers Who Use Scaffolds
- Builds scaffolds: Scaffold Erector and Dismantler
- Inspects and signs off: Scaffold Competent Person
Or get all three for your crew: train your whole team. Read the free scaffold safety guide first if you are new to scaffolds.
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.454 Training requirements (scaffolds) – eCFR, National Archives, checked 2026-10-16
- 29 CFR 1926.451 General requirements (scaffolds) – eCFR, National Archives, checked 2026-10-16
Frequently asked questions
Who needs scaffold training?
Anyone who works on a scaffold, and more training for anyone who builds, takes down, moves or changes one.
Who can train scaffold users?
A person qualified in the subject matter.
Who trains scaffold erectors and dismantlers?
A competent person.
When does a worker need scaffold retraining?
When the job site changes, the scaffold or protection type changes, or the worker shows they did not learn it.