There are now basically 3 different frame design standards in the United States that dominate the market. The original design for most end frames in common use today was done well before OSHA even existed, in the 1940’s, and those designs largely have not changed. In lieu of getting some sort of letter or response from the manufacturer which is often difficult we can examine the history of these scaffolds. Do you know if your scaffold frame was designed specifically for use as a ladder or not? What if the manufacturer calls your scaffold end frame a mason frame? Does it need to be called a ladder frame? Does it even matter what the manufacturer calls it? These are some tricky questions which might be answered by reaching out to the manufacturer and their engineering department. The first item requires that these end frames be “specifically designed and constructed for use as ladder rungs”. Non-uniform rung spacing caused by joining end frames together is allowed, provided the resulting spacing does not exceed 16 3/4 inches. Have a maximum spacing between rungs of 16 3/4 inches and These include:īe specifically designed and constructed for use as ladder rungs īe uniformly spaced within each frame section īe provided with rest platforms at 35-foot maximum vertical intervals on all supported scaffolds more than 35 feet high If we look at the specific requirements for integral prefabricated scaffold access frames 1926.451(e)(6) we find that there are some additional requirements for safe access. Crossbraces shall not be used as a means of access.Īs we can see “integral prefabricated scaffold access” is listed as an acceptable and safe means, which means the built-in metal scaffold end frame ladders.
Bakers scaffold braces portable#
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. The first place we can look are the Federal Safety and Health Regulations for Construction - Subpart L Scaffolds 1926.451(e). There are a few places where we can find those answers.
Usually these discussions are initiated after finding deficiencies and workers climbing around the scaffold like spider monkeys.Īre the end frames a safe and legal means of access? If not, when are they not? The answers to these questions depend on several factors and it has been my experience that many workers and even some safety professionals often don’t have the answers. Over the years I have had numerous conversations with various trade workers as it relates to suitable and safe access to their work platforms when working on fabricated frame metal scaffolds.
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