1926.451(e): Safe Access to Scaffolds

(e) Access. This paragraph applies to scaffold access for all employees. Access requirements for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds are specifically addressed in paragraph (e)(9) of this section. 924 citations

(1) When scaffold platforms are more than 2 feet (0.6 m) above or below a point of access, portable ladders, hook-on ladders, attachable ladders, stair towers (scaffold stairways/towers), stairway-type ladders (such as ladder stands), ramps, walkways, integral prefabricated scaffold access, or direct access from another scaffold, structure, personnel hoist, or similar surface shall be used. Crossbraces shall not be used as a means of access. Open (e)(1) 792 citations

(2) Portable, hook-on, and attachable ladders (Additional requirements for the proper construction and use of portable ladders are contained in subpart X of this part—Stairways and Ladders): Open (e)(2) 9 citations

(i) Portable, hook-on, and attachable ladders shall be positioned so as not to tip the scaffold; Open (e)(2)(i)

(ii) Hook-on and attachable ladders shall be positioned so that their bottom rung is not more than 24 inches (61 cm) above the scaffold supporting level; Open (e)(2)(ii) 2 citations

(iii) When hook-on and attachable ladders are used on a supported scaffold more than 35 feet (10.7 m) high, they shall have rest platforms at 35-foot (10.7 m) maximum vertical intervals. Open (e)(2)(iii) 4 citations

(iv) Hook-on and attachable ladders shall be specifically designed for use with the type of scaffold used; Open (e)(2)(iv) 1 citations

(v) Hook-on and attachable ladders shall have a minimum rung length of 111⁄2 inches (29 cm); and Open (e)(2)(v)

(vi) Hook-on and attachable ladders shall have uniformly spaced rungs with a maximum spacing between rungs of 163⁄4 inches. Open (e)(2)(vi) 1 citations

(3) Stairway-type ladders shall: 1 citations

(i) Be positioned such that their bottom step is not more than 24 inches (61 cm) above the scaffold supporting level; 1 citations

(ii) Be provided with rest platforms at 12 foot (3.7 m) maximum vertical intervals;

(iii) Have a minimum step width of 16 inches (41 cm), except that mobile scaffold stairway-type ladders shall have a minimum step width of 111⁄2 inches (30 cm); and

(iv) Have slip-resistant treads on all steps and landings.

(4) Stairtowers (scaffold stairway/towers) shall be positioned such that their bottom step is not more than 24 inches (61 cm.) above the scaffold supporting level. Open (e)(4) 16 citations

(i) A stairrail consisting of a toprail and a midrail shall be provided on each side of each scaffold stairway. 9 citations

(ii) The toprail of each stairrail system shall also be capable of serving as a handrail, unless a separate handrail is provided.

(iii) Handrails, and toprails that serve as handrails, shall provide an adequate handhold for employees grasping them to avoid falling.

(iv) Stairrail systems and handrails shall be surfaced to prevent injury to employees from punctures or lacerations, and to prevent snagging of clothing.

(v) The ends of stairrail systems and handrails shall be constructed so that they do not constitute a projection hazard.

(vi) Handrails, and toprails that are used as handrails, shall be at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) from other objects.

(vii) Stairrails shall be not less than 28 inches (71 cm) nor more than 37 inches (94 cm) from the upper surface of the stairrail to the surface of the tread, in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread.

(viii) A landing platform at least 18 inches (45.7 cm) wide by at least 18 inches (45.7 cm) long shall be provided at each level. 1 citations

(ix) Each scaffold stairway shall be at least 18 inches (45.7 cm) wide between stairrails.

(x) Treads and landings shall have slip-resistant surfaces.

(xi) Stairways shall be installed between 40 degrees and 60 degrees from the horizontal.

(xii) Guardrails meeting the requirements of paragraph (g)(4) of this section shall be provided on the open sides and ends of each landing. 6 citations

(xiii) Riser height shall be uniform, within 1⁄4 inch, (0.6 cm) for each flight of stairs. Greater variations in riser height are allowed for the top and bottom steps of the entire system, not for each flight of stairs.

(xiv) Tread depth shall be uniform, within 1⁄4 inch, for each flight of stairs.

(5) Ramps and walkways. Open (e)(5) 27 citations

(i) Ramps and walkways 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall have guardrail systems which comply with subpart M of this part—Fall Protection; Open (e)(5)(i) 24 citations

(ii) No ramp or walkway shall be inclined more than a slope of one (1) vertical to three (3) horizontal (20 degrees above the horizontal). 2 citations

(iii) If the slope of a ramp or a walkway is steeper than one (1) vertical in eight (8) horizontal, the ramp or walkway shall have cleats not more than fourteen (14) inches (35 cm) apart which are securely fastened to the planks to provide footing. 1 citations

(6) Integral prefabricated scaffold access frames shall: Open (e)(6) 11 citations

(i) Be specifically designed and constructed for use as ladder rungs; Open (e)(6)(i) 7 citations

(ii) Have a rung length of at least 8 inches (20 cm); Open (e)(6)(ii)

(iii) Not be used as work platforms when rungs are less than 111⁄2 inches in length, unless each affected employee uses fall protection, or a positioning device, which complies with § 1926.502;

(iv) Be uniformly spaced within each frame section; Open (e)(6)(iv)

(v) Be provided with rest platforms at 35-foot (10.7 m) maximum vertical intervals on all supported scaffolds more than 35 feet (10.7 m) high; and

(vi) Have a maximum spacing between rungs of 163⁄4 inches (43 cm). Non-uniform rung spacing caused by joining end frames together is allowed, provided the resulting spacing does not exceed 163⁄4 inches (43 cm). Open (e)(6)(vi) 2 citations

(7) Steps and rungs of ladder and stairway type access shall line up vertically with each other between rest platforms. Open (e)(7) 2 citations

(8) Direct access to or from another surface shall be used only when the scaffold is not more than 14 inches (36 cm) horizontally and not more than 24 inches (61 cm) vertically from the other surface. Open (e)(8) 28 citations

(9) Effective September 2, 1997, access for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds shall be in accordance with the following: Open (e)(9) 38 citations

(i) The employer shall provide safe means of access for each employee erecting or dismantling a scaffold where the provision of safe access is feasible and does not create a greater hazard. The employer shall have a competent person determine whether it is feasible or would pose a greater hazard to provide, and have employees use a safe means of access. This determination shall be based on site conditions and the type of scaffold being erected or dismantled. Open (e)(9)(i) 11 citations

(ii) Hook-on or attachable ladders shall be installed as soon as scaffold erection has progressed to a point that permits safe installation and use. Open (e)(9)(ii) 1 citations

(iii) When erecting or dismantling tubular welded frame scaffolds, (end) frames, with horizontal members that are parallel, level and are not more than 22 inches apart vertically may be used as climbing devices for access, provided they are erected in a manner that creates a usable ladder and provides good hand hold and foot space. Open (e)(9)(iii) 1 citations

(iv) Cross braces on tubular welded frame scaffolds shall not be used as a means of access or egress. Open (e)(9)(iv) 23 citations