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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

1. Safety and Health Topics
2. Scaffolding

Scaffolding

Scaffolding Menu Workers' Rights

• Scaffolding Home
• Standards
• Construction
• Hazards and Solutions
• Additional Resources
• Workers' Rights

Overview

Highlights

• Working Safely with Scissor Lifts. OSHA Hazard Alert (Publication 3842), (2016).
• Ladder Jack Scaffolds - Supported Scaffolds. OSHA Fact Sheet (Publication 3857), (2016).
• Tube and Coupler Scaffolds - Planning and Design. OSHA Fact Sheet (Publication 3760), (November 2014).
• Tube and Coupler Scaffolds - Erection and Use. OSHA Fact Sheet (Publication 3759), (November 2014).
• Narrow Frame Scaffolds. OSHA Fact Sheet (Publication 3722), (April 2014).
• Scaffolding. OSHA eTool. Provides illustrated safety checklists for specific types of scaffolds. Hazards are identified, as well as the controls that keep these hazards from becoming tragedies.
• Construction. OSHA eTool. Contains information that helps workers identify and control the hazards that cause the most serious construction-related injuries.
  • Improper Scaffold Construction. Helps workers identify and control the hazards that cause the most serious scaffold-related injuries.
• Shipyard Employment. OSHA eTool. Shipyard work has traditionally been hazardous, with an injury-accident rate more than twice that of construction and general industry. OSHA has targeted the industry in its Strategic Plan to reduce injuries and illnesses and prevent fatalities.
  • Scaffolds (Staging). Provides general requirements for all scaffolds AND also includes information on specific types of scaffolding.
  • Scaffolds (Staging). Provides general requirements for all scaffolds AND also includes information on specific types of scaffolding.
  • Aerial Lifts. Replaces traditional shipyard scaffolding.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) reported 52 fatal falls to lower levels from scaffolding in 2020.¹ All of these can be controlled by compliance with OSHA standards.

Standards

Scaffolding is addressed in specific OSHA standards for general industry, maritime, and construction.

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Construction

Provides construction related information.

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Hazards and Solutions

Provides references that aid in recognizing scaffolds and the hazards associated with scaffolding in the workplace.

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Additional Resources

Provides links and references to additional resources related to scaffolding.

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¹ Fatal occupational injuries due to falls to a lower level, 2011-2020 (from OSHA's Directorate of Construction)