Temporary catch platforms as scaffolds

January 5, 2009

Letter # 20080910-8622

Re: Whether catch platforms (used to catch an employee in the event of a fall from a working surface above) must comply with OSHA's scaffold standard, Subpart L.

Question: Are temporary catch platforms – used to catch employees who might fall from a working surface above, or falling objects – subject to the requirements of the construction scaffold standard, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L?

Answer: Yes. The temporary catch platforms you describe are covered by 1926 CFR Subpart L. Section 1926.450(b) defines a scaffold as:

[A]ny temporary elevated platform (supported or suspended) and its supporting structure (including points of anchorage), used for supporting employees or materials or both.

In this instance, if an employee or material were to fall onto the temporary catch platform, it would at that point support "employees or materials or both." Consequently, it meets the definition of a scaffold. Therefore, the catch platforms must comply with the applicable 1926 Subpart L requirements. These include, among others, the 4:1 strength requirements in 1926.451(a)(1).[1]

Noah Connell, Acting Director

Directorate of Construction

[1] Note that, in calculating the loads for this purpose, you must include the impact forces due to the fall of an employee or materials.