OSHA 1926.454(a): training for employees who work on scaffolds
Under 29 CFR 1926.454(a), each employee who works on a scaffold must be trained by a person qualified in the subject to recognize the hazards of that scaffold type and the procedures that control them. Erectors, dismantlers and inspectors need training from a competent person under 1926.454(b).
Official text
(a) The employer shall have each employee who performs work while on a scaffold trained by a person qualified in the subject matter to recognize the hazards associated with the type of scaffold being used and to understand the procedures to control or minimize those hazards. The training shall include the following areas, as applicable: (1) The nature of any electrical hazards, fall hazards and falling object hazards in the work area; (2) The correct procedures for dealing with electrical hazards and for erecting, maintaining, and disassembling the fall protection systems and falling object protection systems being used; (3) The proper use of the scaffold, and the proper handling of materials on the scaffold; (4) The maximum intended load and the load-carrying capacities of the scaffolds used; and (5) Any other pertinent requirements of this subpart.Read the full section on eCFR
(b) The employer shall have each employee who is involved in erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, maintaining, or inspecting a scaffold trained by a competent person to recognize any hazards associated with the work in question. The training shall include the following topics, as applicable: (1) The nature of scaffold hazards; (2) The correct procedures for erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, inspecting, and maintaining the type of scaffold in question; (3) The design criteria, maximum intended load-carrying capacity and intended use of the scaffold; (4) Any other pertinent requirements of this subpart.Read the full section on eCFR
(c) When the employer has reason to believe that an employee lacks the skill or understanding needed for safe work involving the erection, use or dismantling of scaffolds, the employer shall retrain each such employee so that the requisite proficiency is regained. Retraining is required in at least the following situations: (1) Where changes at the worksite present a hazard about which an employee has not been previously trained; or (2) Where changes in the types of scaffolds, fall protection, falling object protection, or other equipment present a hazard about which an employee has not been previously trained; or (3) Where inadequacies in an affected employee's work involving scaffolds indicate that the employee has not retained the requisite proficiency.Read the full section on eCFR
What it requires, in plain English
- Scaffold users are trained by a qualified person on electrical, fall and falling object hazards, and on proper use of the scaffold and handling of materials.
- Training covers the maximum intended load and the load-carrying capacities of the scaffolds used.
- Employees who erect, disassemble, move, operate, repair, maintain or inspect scaffolds are trained by a competent person.
- Employees are retrained when site changes, new equipment, or inadequate work show they lack the needed proficiency.
Where it shows up on site
- Material stacked on a platform with no one aware of its load rating
- A new trade crew working off scaffolding erected by another contractor
- Workers modifying a scaffold, such as pulling planks or braces, without the scaffold crew
Verify on site before you call it
A photo rarely shows every fact a standard depends on. Confirm these in person before treating the condition as a violation:
- Has each worker on the scaffold been trained on the type of scaffold in use?
- Who delivered the training, and were they qualified, or a competent person for erection work?
- Is the worker using the scaffold or altering it?
- Has anything changed on site or in the equipment since the worker was trained?
Typical corrective actions
- Confirm training records for each worker on the scaffold before work continues.
- Provide scaffold-specific training covering the hazards, proper use and load capacity.
- Limit erection, alteration and dismantling to workers trained by a competent person.
- Retrain workers where site conditions, scaffold types or their observed work show a gap.
Common questions
Who can train employees to use scaffolds?
Under 1926.454(a), scaffold users must be trained by a person qualified in the subject matter. Under 1926.454(b), employees who erect, disassemble, move, repair, maintain or inspect scaffolds must be trained by a competent person.
When is scaffold retraining required?
1926.454(c) requires retraining when site changes or changes in scaffolds, fall protection or other equipment present a hazard the employee was not trained on, or when the employee’s work shows they have not retained the needed proficiency.
Turn the observation into a notice
Record what the photo shows, confirm the on-site checks above, and identify the responsible company and due date. Use the fillable construction safety notice template or follow aworked example from observation to verified fix. Cirqify can draft the notice from your circled photo for you to review.
Related standards
This guide summarizes federal OSHA construction standards for general information. It is not legal advice. States with their own OSHA-approved plans may set different or additional requirements; see federal and state coverage.