Ensure a suspension scaffold's counterweight/outrigger system meets OSHA's stability requirement

Steps

1. Pull the current text of 29 CFR 1926.451 from osha.gov to confirm the exact stability requirement before relying on any secondary source.
2. Confirm that the 4-times-tipping-moment requirement is in 1926.451(a)(2): direct connections to roofs/floors and counterweights used to balance adjustable suspension scaffolds must be capable of resisting at least 4 times the tipping moment imposed by the scaffold at the hoist's rated load, or at least 1.5 times the tipping moment at the hoist's stall load, whichever is greater.
3. Separately confirm 1926.451(a)(6) requires that scaffolds be designed by a qualified person and constructed/loaded per that design — this is a design-authority requirement, distinct from the numeric stability test in (a)(6-adjacent) subsection (a)(2).
4. When verifying a suspension scaffold setup, check the counterweight or outrigger/tieback system against the (a)(2) tipping-moment math using the hoist's actual rated and stall loads, not generic assumptions.
5. Confirm a qualified person (per the (a)(6) definition of demonstrated training/experience or credential) signed off on the scaffold design, separate from confirming the (a)(2) stability calculation was performed.
6. Cross-check both provisions against OSHA's Scaffolding eTool page for suspended two-point (swing stage) scaffolds, which restates the same rated-load/stall-load stability standard.