Competent-person inspections of scaffolds before each shift

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

August 5, 1997

Mr. Willie Westmoreland
Safety Director/construction Manager
Interstate Scaffolding, Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Westmoreland:

This is in response to your letter of June 12, 1997, to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requesting an interpretation of the requirements in paragraph 1926.451 for the daily inspection of scaffolds.

OSHA requires the general contractor in section 1926.451(f)(3) to have scaffolds and scaffold components inspected for visible defects by a competent person prior to each work shift and after any occurrence which could affect a scaffold's structural integrity. Given the importance of detecting defects in scaffolds and scaffold components, OSHA believes that all scaffolds need to be inspected at the times specified. However, this does not mean that the original builder/ contractor of the scaffold must inspect the scaffold daily. In addition, on large frame systems, the inspection is only required for those scaffold areas that will be used by employees during the next work shift.

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, Rm. N3621
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20210

Sincerely,

Roy F. Gurnham, P.E., J.D.
Director
Office of Construction Standards and
Compliance Assistance