Scaffold Safety
Scaffold to roof of building
Scaffold Safety Quick Links
Scaffold Safety Program Summary
This program applies to all departments that use, erect, move, alter, or dismantle supported scaffolding for work-related purposes regardless of location or ownership of scaffolding (i.e. rented and/or installed by a vendor/contractor).
Each department that owns or uses scaffolding must designate a competent person to provide oversight for related activities, such as erecting, moving, altering, dismantling, and inspection. Departments must also ensure that any person using or accessing scaffolding is properly trained in safe use and recognition of related hazards.
This program currently only applies to supported scaffolding, including mobile scaffolds, being erected, moved, altered, dismantled, or used by Virginia Tech personnel regardless of location or ownership. If suspended scaffolds will be used by Virginia Tech personnel, please contact Environmental Health & Safety for guidance.
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Scaffold Erection and Disassembly
Requirements for erecting scaffolding and subsequent disassembly.
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- Are scaffolds required to be tagged? No, it is not an OSHA requirement, but it is a requirement for scaffolds erected on campus where VT personnel will be accessing it. Tagging scaffolds each day is a best practice recognized and recommended by OSHA, especially where various groups will be using it. It is proof of communication that the scaffold competent person has inspected it that day, and what requirements (if any) must be followed for access.
- Can scaffold planks/decking be used as a mud sill? Yes, but once it has been used as a mud sill, it cannot be used for platform planking/decking again.
- Does the scaffold competent person have to be onsite at all times? No, but he/she must be onsite to perform daily inspections of the scaffolding and available if problems or questions arise.
- Does the soil have to be classified to erect a scaffold on grade? Not necessarily. You may assume the worst class of soil (Class C), and use mud sills of the required size for that class of soil.
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Contact Information
Robin McCall-Miller, Occupational Safety Program Manager
Phone: 540-231-2341
Email: rmmiller@vt.edu