Working Height Where Fall Protection is Required for Scaffolds
29 CFR 1926 Subpart L has what's known as vertical fall protection requirements. This standard overrides the general requirement from Fall Protection Subpart M which requires fall protection at six feet above a lower level. Scaffold general requirements 1926.451(g)(1) requires all scaffold workers to have fall protection when working 10 feet or greater above a lower level.
Required Type of Fall Protection For Scaffolds
The commonly used supported scaffolding requires either a personal fall arrest system or a guardrail system. Most types of suspended scaffolding will require a personal fall arrest system. Here is chart for fall protection requirements on scaffolds.
| Type of Scaffold | Required Fall Protection |
| Supported scaffold | Personal fall arrest system or guardrail |
| Aerial lift | Personal fall arrest system |
| Boatswain's chair | Personal fall arrest system |
| Float scaffold | Personal fall arrest system |
| Ladder jack scaffold | Personal fall arrest system |
| Needle beam scaffold | Personal fall arrest system |
| Self-contained scaffold | Personal fall arrest system & guardrail system |
| Single-point suspension scaffolds | Personal fall arrest system & guardrail system |
| Two-point suspension scaffold | Personal fall arrest system & guardrail system |
| Catenary scaffold | Personal fall arrest system |
| Crawling board scaffold | Personal fall arrest system or guardrail system |
| All other scaffolds | Personal fall arrest system or guardrail system |
For a scaffolding safety training program that includes a written safety plan and forms, check out the Scaffolding Safety Training Compliance Kit.
1 comment
Bricklayer
Scissor lifts don’t require a harness if they have a compliant guardrail system.