New England
Roofing Industry
Partnership
Ladders and Scaffolds
SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
References
 29
CFR 1926.1050 - .1053, Subpart X Ladders
 29 CFR 1926.450 - .454, Subpart L Scaffolds
 American National Standards Institute
(ANSI)
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Training Objectives
 After
completing this section you will:
– Understand safe ladder placement & use.
– Know how to inspect a ladder for defects.
– Know the basics of Subpart X - Ladders.
– Understand safe erection and use of
scaffolding.
– Know the basics of Subpart L – Scaffolds.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Ladder Hazards
Ladders not secured
 Ladder not extended 3 feet above landing
 Defective ladders
 Ladders within 10 feet of power lines
 Fixed ladders without fall protection
 12% of OSHA citations for physical hazards
are for unsafe ladders or stairs.
 Most deaths from falls off ladders happen
from 10 feet or lower.

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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
4
Access to the Work Level
If
elevation change is 19 inches or more
and there is no ramp, runway, slope or
hoist:
– Employer must provide stairway & ladders
prior to work at elevated areas.
– Two or more ladders or double-cleated
ladder if more than 25 employees.
– At least one access point between
levels must be clear at all times.
SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Basic Ladder Use
Use only for intended purpose.
 Extend 3 feet above
surface.
 Set up at 4:1 angle.
 Secure top and bottom.
 Keep top and bottom areas
clear.
 Maintain 3-point contact.

– Cannot work off ladder unless
3-point contact is maintained.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Basic Ladder Use
 Don’t
move a ladder that is occupied.
 Don’t overload a ladder.
 Keep up inspection and maintenance.
 Don’t use on a slippery surface.
 Use non-conductive near electric.
 Don’t tie together to make longer.
 Don’t paint wooden ladders.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
7
Basic Stepladder Use
 Do
not use top step on stepladder.
 Stepladders cannot be used leaned
against a vertical wall, they must be
opened and used as intended.
– Use ONLY as intended by the manufacturer!
SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Proper Ladder Set-Up
3 foot extension above landing
Top end secured
Maximum extension
not exceeded
Bottom secured
1/4th of Working Length
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
9
Defective Ladders
Ladders must be inspected by a Competent Person.
Can they be fixed?
Is this a citation? Is there
a hazard created here?
SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Access to the Roof
The Job-Made Ladder
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
11
Scenes We Don’t Want to See
Do we really even need an
OSHA standard to tell us there’s
something wrong here?
1926.1053(a)(2) LADDERS
Rungs, cleats and steps
shall be parallel, level, and
uniformly spaced.
SUBPARTS
X & L Ladders and Scaffolds
Stupid Ladder Tricks
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
More Stupid Ladder Tricks
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
.1060 Training Requirements
Your
employer must train you.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Ladders
(1926.1050 - .1053)
Common OSHA Citations:
–.1053(b)(1): Extension 3 feet above landing surface
–.1052(c)(1): Stairs with > 4 risers or >30” height are to
have at least one handrail; stair rail on open side
–.1051(a): Stair or ladder for >19” break in elevation
–.1060(a): Training as necessary
–.1053(b)(4): Ladder use only as intended
–.1053(b)(13): Stepladder top step not to be used.
How can the hazards addressed by these
Standards best be corrected, controlled, or
eliminated?
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Scaffolding for Roof Access
 Depending
on the type of job you may
use:
– Frame Scaffolds
– Mobile Scaffolds
– Stair Towers
– Ladder Jacks
– Pump Jacks
– Aerial Lifts such as Scissor Lift or Manlift
 Under OSHA standards, these are all
“elevated work platforms”.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Scaffold Hazards
The danger of falling is most common.




9% of construction deaths are
scaffold-related.
Scaffold falls injure 29,000
workers every year.
47% of all scaffold
catastrophes and deaths are
caused by defective scaffolds.
Any missing or defective part
makes a scaffold less safe.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
18
How Do We Know a Scaffold Is Safe?
 Supported
features:
scaffolds must have these
SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
19
Firm Foundation
 Must
have a foundation that is firm,
square and level.
 Support must bear on base plates and
mudsills or other adequate, firm
foundation.
─Must support load without settling or
displacement.
─Must not use “unstable objects” as support.
─Base plates are always required, even on
concrete.
SUBPART
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
How to Make a Solid Foundation
Look for firm ground
and sills to distribute
the scaffold load.
HEEL TEST:
If a 180-pound worker can
dig a heel an inch into the
soil, it will not support 1,600
psf.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Firm Foundation?
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Scaffold Capacity
Support
its own weight and 4 X the
Maximum Intended Load (MIL).
Suspension rope & hardware, 6 X MIL.
Stall load of hoist maximum 3 X rated
load.
Designed by a Qualified Person and
built and loaded to design.
Some Criteria listed in Appendix 'A'
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Scaffold Capacity
 How
much load do we need the
scaffold to support?
– Evenly distributed:
Must support 4 X
Maximum Intended Load.
– Supported Scaffolds:
Capacity determined by
the space between the
uprights and plank
thickness.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
24
Capacity?
Can we
apply
any of the
“capacity”
criteria
here?
SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Bracing
Poles, legs, frames and uprights
must be plumb and braced.
Bracing holds parts fixed in relation to another.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
26
Plumb, Level, Square
You can visually check scaffold alignment.
Plumb:
Vertical
members stand
perpendicular to
horizon.
Level:
Horizontal
members are
parallel to
horizon.
Square:
Horizontal and
vertical
members form
right angles
where they
connect.
SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
27
Mixed Manufacturer’s Components
Competent
Person
decision
required.
Is scaffold
structural
integrity
maintained?
SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Keeping Upright

When suspended scaffold reaches a
height that is more than 4 times its
minimum base dimension, it must be
restrained to keep from tipping.
– Guys/Braces at horizontal members.
– Guys/ties/braces in accordance with
manufacturer or closest to 4:1 height.
– Ties repeat at 26 feet vertical; maximum 30
feet horizontal.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Tie-Ins to the Building
This 6-tier scaffold is
anchored to the building
with rope through windows.
A solid strut anchor is better,
especially if not dependent upon
friction attachments at both ends.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Platform Construction

Platforms fully planked or decked

Maximum 1” gaps

Maximum openings of 9½” if necessary

Platforms and walkways minimum 18” wide
Ladder jack, top plate bracket, roof bracket,
and pump jack scaffold at least 12” wide
 Guardrails and/or Personal Fall Arrest
System (PFAS) for < 18” wide

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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
What Makes a Safe Platform?

Fully planked with scaffold-grade wood or
metal.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
What Is Scaffold-Grade Lumber?
It is free of defects.
Grading Stamps identify
scaffold grade lumber in many
parts of the U.S.
Scaffold planks must be in
good repair. Look for damage
that reduces width, length,
thickness, or strength. Replace
damaged planks immediately.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Platform Construction
 Front
edge of all platforms:
– Maximum 14” from the face of the work
– 3” from the face for outrigger scaffolds
– 18” from face for plastering/lathing
operations
 Platform
extension minimum 6”;
maximum 12”
– >10 feet, maximum 18” past support
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Platform Construction

Support for ends of abutted planks

Overlap minimum 12” and only over
supports, unless restrained to
prevent movement.

On directional changes, platform on
bearer at other than a right angle laid
first, and platforms at right angles over
the same bearer laid second.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Platform Construction

Don’t paint wood, except ID on edges

Fully planked between front upright &
guardrails
Don’t mix scaffold components used unless
compatible & strength is maintained
[Competent Person decision]
 Don’t modify mixed scaffold components
to make them fit [C.P. decision]
 No components of dissimilar metals without
Competent Person approval

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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Platforms
 Do
not use front-end loader to support
scaffold platforms unless they have
been designed for such use.
 Forklifts cannot be used to support
platforms unless:
– The entire platform is attached to the fork,
and
– The forklift is not moved horizontally while
the platform is occupied.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
DON’T BECOME A
STATISTIC!!
Is this in any way a safe platform?
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
38
Unsafe Anywhere…
This is not
the kind of
teamwork
we're
looking
for…
SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
39
What’s the Best Way
to Load the Scaffold?
Distribute loads evenly. Point load over uprights.
Point Loading Evenly distributed –
A good practice!
When necessary, it should
be done over uprights.
An unsafe practice!
SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
40
Safe Access
 Must
have safe access
– No access by cross braces
– Bottom rung not more than 24” high
– From other surface if within 14" H, 24" V
– Rest platforms at 35’ intervals
– Safe access for erectors/dismantlers
• Competent Person Decision
• 22" Horizontals OK for Builders
 Some
end frames can be used for access.
SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Safe Access
 25%
of scaffold accidents happen when
workers get on or get off.
If work platforms are
more than 2 feet
above a point of
access, then stairs,
ladders, or
personnel hoists
must be used.
You must never climb on scaffold
braces or frames without built-in
ladders.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
3-Point Climbing on
Scaffold Ladders
2
hands and 1 foot or
1 hand and 2 feet on ladder.
– You must face the ladder.
– You cannot carry any load
that could cause you to
lose your balance.
– Use a gin wheel to hoist
materials and equipment
onto the scaffold.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Failure
to
provide
safe
access.
Ladders and Scaffolds
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
44
Using the Scaffold
Never overload: Lesser of Maximum Intended
Load or rated load
 Inspected by Competent Person
 No shore or lean-to scaffolds

Immediately remove, repair, or brace if found
substandard
 No horizontal movement while occupied unless
approved
 Maintain clearance near powerlines

SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Using the Scaffold
 No
makeshift devices to increase height
– The 'Drywall Bucket Rule'
 No ladder to increase height except on
'large area' and:
– Side thrust countered, platform secured
– Ladder legs on same platform & secured
 Platforms should not deflect > 1/60 of
span
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
46
Using the Scaffold
 Erect,
move, dismantle or alter only under
the supervision of a Competent Person!
 No
work on snow, ice covered platforms.
 Use
taglines for swinging loads.
 Protect
suspension ropes from heat, acid
 No
work during storms or high winds.
 No
debris accumulation on platforms.
SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Power Line Clearance
Keep 10 foot minimum unless de-energized!
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Lean-to Scaffolds are Prohibited
The old
and the
new, but
still a
‘Lean-To’
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
49
Fall Protection for Scaffolds
 Personal
Fall Arrest System (PFAS) or
guardrails are required at 10 foot height.
 PFAS and guardrails are required on
suspended scaffolds.
 PFAS is required for erectors/dismantlers
where feasible.
SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Guardrails
 Guardrails
prevent work falls.
Only 33% of the scaffolds
involved in accidents had
guardrails.
─ Toprails must be 38”
to 45” above working
platform.
─ Crossbracing can
serve as top or midrail depending on
height.
Toprail must withstand a force of 200 pounds (or 100
pounds on suspension scaffolds).
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Personal Fall Arrest Systems

PFAS used on scaffolds must be
attached by lanyard, vertical lifeline,
horizontal lifeline, or scaffold structural
member.
– Vertical lifelines must be fastened to fixed
safe point of anchorage, independent of
the scaffold. Do not attach two vertical
lifelines together or to same anchorage
point.
– Horizontal lifelines must be attached to 2
or more structural members of the
scaffold.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Fall Protection for Erectors
Competent Person must
take into account:
– Adequate Anchorage?
– Clearance?
– Work Practices?
– Motions Required?
– Equipment Available?
– Environmental conditions?
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Falling Object Protection
 Hardhats
required
 Protect employees below
 Barricades to exclude working below
 Toe boards at edges of platforms
– Manufactured or job-made with 1x6 or
plank
 May
use panels, screens, or canopies
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Fabricated Frame Scaffolds

New frames braced before moving platforms

Always plumb, level, square with bracing
secured.

Frames joined vertically by coupling pins

Where uplift can occur - locked together

Side brackets parallel; end brackets at 900

Not bent or twisted; Personnel only, unless
engineered

Over 125 ft. high requires engineer design
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Mobile Scaffolds
 Plumb;
Level square; Braces secured
 Cross, horizontal & diagonal braces to
prevent racking or collapse
 Mobile scaffolds must comply with other
frame requirements
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 Castors - positive lock on wheel and/or
swivel
 Force to move no more than 5 feet above
base
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Mobile Scaffolds
Horizontal and
diagonal bracing
required to prevent
“racking”.
Most manufacturers
provide with fixed
length.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Mobile Scaffolds
 Diagonal
bracing; prevents “racking”
 No platforms beyond base
 Screwjacks or equivalent to level
 Castor stems pinned or bolted
 Not moved with riders unless:
– Height: base ratio = 2:1 or designed
– Surface within 30 of level; no obstructions
– Outriggers both sides if used; no extension
beyond support
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Ladder Jacks
Maximum height = 20 feet
 PFAS required at > 10 feet.
 Ladders to meet Subpart X
 Ladders must be secured
 Platforms can’t be overlapped

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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
59
SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
60
Aerial Lifts
“Catapult” action on
quick drop expels user.
Fall Protection Required!
SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Aerial Lifts

Vehicle-mounted or self-propelled elevating
work platforms – training is required!
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
62
Tie-Off in Lift

Attach lanyard to the provided tie-off point only.
Other Requirements:
─ Stand firmly on basket
floor.
─ Do not climb on basket
edge.
─ Do not use ladders or
planks.
SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
63
Aerial lifts provide a
safe method of
reaching your
working area…as
long as they are
used appropriately.
This is definitely NOT the appropriate
way to use an aerial lift or a stepladder.
SUBPARTS
X &L
Ladders and Scaffolds
What’s Wrong Here?
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
65
Protect Yourself With Good
Scaffold Safety Practice
Don’t allow tools, materials, or debris to collect
on scaffold.
 Never, never throw or drop tools, materials, or
equipment.
 Make sure connections are in place and
completely tight.
 Do not stand on ties.
 Do not stand on guardrails or plank
extensions.
 Do not overreach outside of the guardrails.

SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
66
Protect Yourself With
Good Scaffold Safety Practice

Stay off scaffold during loading or unloading.

Replace guardrails after loading or unloading.

Use 3-point climbing.

Don’t hang tarps without evaluation.

Get off mobile scaffold before it’s moved.

Never leave partially dismantled scaffolds
unguarded or unlabelled.

Wear the right clothing and safety gear.
SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
.454 Training Requirements

Your employer must train you.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
68
Scaffolds
(1926.450 - .454)
Common OSHA Citations:
– .451(g)(1): Fall protection at 10 feet
– .451(e)(1): 2 foot max. vertical platform access
Cross braces not to be used as access
– .451(b)(1): Full deck at all working levels
– .453(b)(2)(v): Fall protection in aerial lifts
– .454(a): Scaffold user training
How can the hazards addressed by these
Standards best be corrected, controlled,
or eliminated?
SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
69
Review Questions
True or False? LADDERS
1. Stepladders can be folded and leaned
against a wall and used as a ladder.
2. Ladders must extend 2 feet above landing area.
3. The proper ladder angle is 1:4.
4. It’s OK to use the top step of a stepladder
if you can’t reach.
5. Ladders must be secured when used.
SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Review Questions
True or False? SCAFFOLDS
1. Scaffolds and their components must
support 3 times the maximum intended
load.
2. Only one or two planks are required for
a work deck.
3. You can access a scaffold by the cross
braces.
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SUBPARTS
X&L
Ladders and Scaffolds
Review Questions
True or False? SCAFFOLDS
4. Guardrails or other fall protection is
required at 10 feet or higher.
5. A scaffold should never be less than 3
feet from an energized power line.
6. In an aerial lift, you can tie off to an
adjacent pole or structure.
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