Scaffold Inspection Checklist
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Why this inspection matters#
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.451(f)(3) requires that scaffolds and scaffold components be inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift, and after any occurrence that could affect the scaffold's structural integrity. A competent person — not just any worker or supervisor — is someone who can identify scaffold hazards and has the authority to correct them (defined at 1926.450(b)). Scaffold collapses and falls account for a significant share of construction fatalities, and 1926.451 is cited roughly 1,900 times a year, most often for missing competent-person inspections. A thorough check is non-negotiable.
Several other requirements sit alongside the inspection: guardrails and fall protection are required above 10 feet under 1926.451(g)(1); erection, moving, altering, and dismantling must be supervised by the competent person under 1926.451(f)(7); and every scaffold user must be trained under 1926.454. The scaffold must also be capable of supporting its own weight plus four times the maximum intended load.
Any FAIL means the scaffold is tagged out and corrected before anyone climbs it.
How to use this checklist#
Fill in the date, inspector, location, and equipment ID. The competent person checks each item Pass, Fail, or N/A, recording specifics in the notes column. Mobile-scaffold items (14) and hoist/outrigger items (15) are N/A for a fixed supported scaffold. When the inspection passes, the scaffold tag is updated, signed, and dated; any defect tags the scaffold out until repaired. The record is signed by the competent person and the supervisor.
Scaffold inspection items#
| # | Inspection item | Pass | Fail | N/A | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foundation is firm, level, and capable of supporting four times the maximum intended load. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 2 | Mud sills or base plates are properly sized, level, and on solid ground — not on loose blocks or bricks. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 3 | All legs, posts, frames, and uprights are plumb and braced with cross-braces locked in place. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 4 | Scaffold is tied or guyed to the structure when height exceeds 4× the minimum base width. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 5 | Planks are scaffold-grade, free of splits, and overlap supports by at least 6 inches but not more than 12 inches. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 6 | Working platform is fully planked, with no gaps greater than 1 inch between planks. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 7 | Guardrails on all open sides: top rail 38–45 inches, midrail at midpoint, capable of 200 lbs force. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 8 | Toe boards at least 3.5 inches high where workers or materials could fall onto people below. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 9 | Safe access is provided by ladder, stair tower, or ramp — climbing cross-braces is prohibited. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 10 | Scaffold tag is current, signed by the competent person, and shows the date of last inspection. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 11 | No visible damage: bent frames, cracked welds, missing pins, rust pitting, or broken locking pins. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 12 | Workers on scaffolds 10+ feet high have personal fall arrest or guardrail protection in place. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 13 | Scaffold is at least 10 feet from energized power lines (more for higher voltages). | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 14 | Mobile scaffold wheels are locked when in use; height does not exceed 4× minimum base width. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 15 | Hoist ropes, pulleys, and outriggers (if used) are rated, intact, and properly installed. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 16 | No materials, tools, or debris left on the platform that could fall, trip, or overload it. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 17 | Weather conditions (wind, ice, storms) are safe for work — work suspended in storms or high wind. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 18 | Erection, dismantling, or alteration is supervised by a competent person at all times. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 19 | Workers have been trained on scaffold hazards and the specific scaffold type in use. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 20 | Any defect found is tagged out and corrected before the scaffold is used again. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
Corrective actions taken#
Describe any issues found and the steps taken to correct them. A scaffold with any failed structural or fall-protection item is tagged out and stays down until the competent person confirms the repair.
Inspection sign-off#
- Inspector signature: __________________________
- Supervisor signature: __________________________
- Inspection result: ☐ All items passed ☐ Issues require follow-up
Related toolbox talks#
Disclaimer#
This checklist is a general guide based on OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L. Always follow your site-specific procedures, the scaffold manufacturer's instructions, the load rating, and the regulations that apply to your jurisdiction and scaffold type.