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Scaffolding Safety Program
Scaffolding requirements
A scaffold is any temporary elevated platform (supported or suspended) and its supporting structure (including points of anchorage) used for supporting employees, materials, or both.
Other types of equipment (scissor and aerial lifts) are also regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as supported scaffolds but are treated as a separate category of equipment for training purposes.
NAU’s Scaffolding Safety Program includes resources for safe use of supported and aerial platforms. (Suspended scaffolds are not addressed because they are generally not used at NAU.)
More specific information about OSHA’s scaffold requirements can be found on the OSHA Scaffolding e-Tool: Scaffolding – General Requirements for Scaffolds | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov)
Use prohibitions
NAU and Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) policy requires that scaffolding erected by NAU is for use by NAU personnel only. Under most circumstances, contractors are not authorized or permitted to use NAU owned or erected scaffolding, including lift equipment.
Scaffolds left erected overnight must be protected from access by unauthorized persons by removing, blocking, or guarding ladders, or use of portable fencing or other means of control.
Training
OSHA requires that any employees using, erecting, or inspecting scaffolds or lift equipment are properly trained prior to the first use, and then every three years following initial training completion. The EHS department provides general safety training on these subjects, but the department performing the work is responsible for providing or procuring equipment and task specific operational instructions. The EHS department can provide guidance on fulfilling this operational training requirement upon request.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE SCAFFOLDS OR LIFT EQUIPMENT OR ASSIGN THESE DUTIES TO EMPLOYEES PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF THE REQUIRED TRAINING.
Training for scaffold use, construction/dismantling or inspection is available from the EHS department as an in-person class. Lift use training is available through EHS either in an online or in person format.
Check the EHS training calendar for upcoming sessions, or contact the EHS department to request training.
Inspections — Green Tagging
ALL SCAFFOLDS MUST BE INSPECTED AND GREEN TAGGED PRIOR TO USE. EHS PROVIDES THIS SERVICE FOR ANY SCAFFOLDS ERECTED BY NAU EMPLOYEES.
NAU EHS provides initial pre-use inspection services for scaffolds built by NAU for NAU performed work. Scaffolds are inspected for a number of regulatory and general safety criteria and tagged based on the following color-coded safety classifications:
- Green Tag – Scaffold is deemed safe and legal and is ready for use. Daily inspections by trained users are required.
- Yellow Tag – Deficiencies have been noted and must be remedied prior to reinspection and Green Tagging. Previously Green Tagged scaffolds which have been modified are considered Yellow Tagged until reinspection occurs.
- Red tag – Scaffold is unfit for use.
To request and schedule a scaffold inspection contact EHS by phone, email: ocsafety@nau.edu, or in person.
*Daily pre-use inspections are handled by trained individuals who construct and/or use the scaffold. If you are unsure of daily inspection requirements, contact EHS for assistance.
The Scaffold Inspection Checklist is used during the initial inspection by EHS and provides a guide of items to monitor for changes during daily inspections. Completion of the form during daily inspections is optional, but inspectors must date and sign the Green Tag to document daily inspections.