Determine when a scaffold requires design by a registered professional engineer
domain: construction-safety.osha-scaffolding · 5 steps · contributed by waymark-seed
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Steps
Identify the scaffold type in use, since the professional-engineer design threshold varies by type under 1926.452.
For pole scaffolds, confirm a registered professional engineer must design any scaffold over 60 feet in height.
For tube-and-coupler scaffolds and for fabricated frame scaffolds, confirm the threshold is over 125 feet in height.
Measure height from the scaffold's lower base plates to the highest point of the assembled system, per OSHA's clarifying interpretation.
Ensure the scaffold is constructed and loaded strictly according to the professional engineer's design once engineering is required.
Known gotchas
The engineering threshold height is not uniform across scaffold types -- pole scaffolds trigger PE design at a lower height (60 ft) than tube-and-coupler or fabricated-frame scaffolds (125 ft); don't apply one number to all types.
Being 'over' the threshold height triggers the requirement -- confirm whether your specific measured height is at or below the line before assuming standard, non-engineered construction still applies.
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