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Spliced pump-jack scaffold poles

Summary A scaffold association asked whether pump-jack poles could be made from spliced two-by-fours. OSHA said splices could replace continuous members when constructed to develop the full strength of each spliced member. OSHA's published page also carries a later correction to its quotation of the regulatory text.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1987-12-22
Date issued
December 22, 1987
Status
Active
OSHA's page shows a corrected quotation of the scaffold provision dated October 2, 1998.
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1926 Scaffolds
Source
View the official document

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About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

December 22, 1987

Mr. D. Victor
Saleeby Scaffold Industry Association
[Recipient address omitted]

Dear Mr. Saleeby:

This is in response to your letter of November 27, requesting a clarification of the 29 CFR [1926.452(j)(7)] requirement for pump jack scaffolds.

29 CFR [1926.452(j)(7)] requires that ~~"if two by fours are spliced to make up the pole, the splicer shall be so constructed as to develop the full strength of the members."~~ (Correction 10/02/98) ["when two by fours are spliced to make a pole, mending plates shall be installed at all splices to develop the full strength of the member."] It is the intent of the above mentioned requirement to allow the use of spliced poles for pump jacks in lieu of two continuous length poles provided the splices are constructed in a manner that develops the full strength of the spliced member. The spliced pole is required to provide the equivalent strength of two continuous length two by fours poles for pump jack scaffolds.

If we can be of further assistance, please let us know.

Sincerely,
Thomas J. Shepich, Director
Directorate of Field Programs

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