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U.S. Department of Labor | | ||||
| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
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| Standard Interpretations 06/08/1998 - Moving mobile (Baker) scaffolds; locking casters and wheels. |
 Standard Interpretations - Table of Contents
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| • Standard Number: | 1926.452(w) |
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June 8, 1998
This is in response to your letters, dated June 12, 1997, addressed to Mr. Roy Gurnham and myself, asking for a clarification of OSHA's mobile scaffold standard §1926.452(w). Your questions related specifically to Baker style scaffolds and whether a person could move and work from this type of scaffold without dismounting, with the casters in the unlocked position. We apologize for the delay in this response. Baker scaffolds, sometimes referred to as Perry scaffolds, are covered by the mobile scaffold section of subpart L. Section 1926.452(w)(2) requires the casters and wheels to be locked when in use. If a device were installed to permit the casters to be locked while on the scaffold, this requirement could be met without dismounting. Section .452(w)(6) specifies the requirements for riding a scaffold. Where these conditions are met, the scaffold may be moved while employees are on it. You asked for clarification on sections .452(w)(3) and (6)(iv). These sections address the manual and powered forces used to move the scaffold. When manually moving the scaffold, the force should be applied as close to the base a practicable, but not more than 5 feet (1.5m) above the supporting surface. Your letter describes a worker standing on a Baker scaffold that is 2 to 4 feet high. The worker holds onto something overhead and moves the scaffold with his or her feet. Since the force being applied to the scaffold is less than 5 feet from the ground level, this is acceptable as long as it is the lowest point practicable. When using a power system to move the scaffold, the forces must be applied directly to the wheels. (This section would not apply to workers manually moving a scaffold.) If you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us again by writing to: Directorate of Construction - OSHA Office of Construction Standards and Compliance Assistance, Room N3621, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. Sincerely, Russell B. Swanson, Director Directorate of Construction |
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Interpretations - Table of Contents |
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