§ 6.12. Single pole scaffolds.
(a) Classified by type of duty. Single pole scaffolds shall be classified as either light-duty scaffolds or heavy-duty scaffolds, as follows:
(1) Light duty. A light-duty scaffold is a scaffold designed and constructed to carry a working load of 25 pounds per square foot, such as intended for the use of carpenters, painters or others of similar trades, and which supports no load other than the workmen and a minimum amount of lightweight material. Light-duty scaffolds are further classified as follows:
(i) Light-duty scaffolds not more than 24 feet. For light-duty scaffolds not more than 24 feet in height, the following minimum nominal size material and maximum spacing of members shall be used:
(A) Poles or uprights—2 inches by 4 inches.
(B) Ledgers supporting putlogs—2 inches by 4 inches.
(C) Springers not supporting putlogs—1 inch by 6 inches.
(D) Putlogs—3 inches by 4 inches.
(E) Braces—1 inch by 4 inches.
(F) Planking—2 inches by 10 inches.
(G) Spacing of poles, measured along platform (maximum)—7 feet, 6 inches.
(H) Spacing of poles distance from building (maximum)—5 feet.
(I) Spacing of ledgers vertically—7 feet.
(ii) Pole scaffolds. Where pole scaffolds are used for work of a very light nature, the width of the platform may be reduced to a size consistent with the work being done and the safety of the men working on it.
(iii) Light-duty scaffolds more than 24 feet. For scaffolds more than 24 feet in height and not more than 40 feet in height, the poles shall be 3 inches by 4 inches in cross section, and for scaffolds more than 40 feet in height, 4 inches by 4 inches in cross section or heavier as required. Other members shall conform with the requirements of subparagraphs (i) and (ii).
(2) Heavy duty. A heavy-duty scaffold is a scaffold designed and constructed to carry a working load of 75 pounds per square foot, such as intended for the use of stone masons or others of similar trades, and which supports in addition to the workmen a supply of building material.
(i) Heavy-duty scaffolds not more than 24 feet. For heavy-duty scaffolds not more than 24 feet in height, the following minimum nominal size material and maximum spacing of members shall be used:
(A) Poles or uprights—3 inches by 4 inches or 2 inches by 6 inches.
(B) Ledgers supporting putlogs—2 inches by 8 inches.
(C) Stringers not supporting putlogs—1 inch by 6 inches.
(D) Putlogs—2 inches by 8 inches.
(E) Braces—1 inch by 6 inches.
(F) Planking—2 inches by 10 inches.
(G) Spacing of poles, measured along platform (maximum)—7 feet.
(H) Spacing of poles distance from building (maximum)—5 feet.
(I) Spacing of ledgers vertically—4 feet, 6 inches.
(ii) Heavy-duty scaffolds more than 24 feet. For scaffolds more than 24 feet in height and not more than 40 feet in height, the poles shall be 4 by 4 inches in cross section, and for scaffolds more than 40 feet in height 4 by 6 inches in cross section or heavier as required. Other members shall conform to the requirements of subparagraph (i).
(b) Bearing of poles at lower ends. The lower ends of poles or uprights shall not rest upon the surface of the ground, but shall be firmly embedded to a depth of at least eight inches. Where the soil is of a soft nature, a sound block or piece of plank at least 1 foot square by 2 inches thick shall be placed in the hole and the upright placed squarely on the center of such support and securely nailed to it or otherwise fastened, the hole then being filled and solidly tamped. Where a pole bears directly on a sidewalk or other solid substance, it shall be rigidly secured at the bottom by other effective means.
(c) Protection against moving equipment. Where necessary, as a protection against impact of trucks or other heavy moving equipment, the bases of scaffold poles shall be protected from displacement by bumpers (not attached to the scaffold).
(d) Splicing of poles. When necessary to increase the height of a pole by splicing, the upper pole shall be set squarely upon the end of the lower one, the abutting ends being square and flat. At least two cleats shall be used to each splice or joint and they shall be of sound wood at least 4 feet long and 1 inch thick and in width not less than the width of the pole. They shall be securely nailed to both poles and shall be placed so as to overlap the abutting ends of each pole at least 2 feet. They shall be fastened to the poles at right angles and not on opposite sides. Two or more consecutive or contiguous uprights shall not be spliced at the same general level.
(e) Ledgers. Ledgers shall be long enough to extend over two consecutive pole spaces and shall overlap the poles at each end by at least 4 inches. As the platform is raised with the progress of the work the ledgers upon which it has previously rested shall not be removed but left in position to brace and stiffen the poles. Ledgers shall be level and their top edges at the same height as the bottom of the openings in the wall into which the putlogs are inserted. Ledgers weakened by nail holes or split at ends shall not be used. In putting up new ledgers, cleats of a size at least 1 inch in thickness, 10 inches long, and at least the width of the pole shall be fastened to the poles and upon which the ledgers shall rest.
(f) Nailing of ledgers. Unless clamps or thru-bolts are used, ledgers shall be nailed to each pole by at least four ten penny nails. Ledgers shall be fastened to the inside of the poles or uprights. Where two ledgers lap over each other on the same pole, they shall be fastened equally secure, and where two ledgers meet at right angles, one shall be fastened with its end sawed squarely flush with the pole, while the other one overlaps in the usual manner. Nails shall not be driven close to the top edge of a ledger.
(g) Putlogs. Putlogs shall be long enough to project over the ledger at least six inches, shall be set squarely in position and the ends shall be built into the wall. They shall not be notched or cut down except on alteration or repair work, when they may be so treated to fit into a space obtained through the removal of a brick. Other requirements shall be as follows:
(1) On a brick wall. When a putlog is notched or cut down to fit into a space obtained through the removal of a brick, the notch shall be on the upper side of the putlog and shall be just deep enough to permit the end of the putlog to be inserted into the hole in the wall and shall not be more than 4 1/2 inches in length. Putlogs shall project into the wall at least four inches and where window openings are utilized instead of the wall proper, the putlogs shall be rigidly secured by effective supports and bracing. There shall be at least three putlogs under every platform plank, one at each end and one in the center, spaced uniformly and bearing upon the ledgers as close to the poles as possible.
(2) On a frame building. When attaching putlogs to a frame building, the procedure shall be to notch two pieces of one by eight inch lumber 18 inches long with notches the size of the putlogs so that the putlog bears on the narrow surface. These notched pieces shall then be nailed one upon the other to the side of the building and the putlog nailed to the notched pieces.
(h) Platforms. Platform planks shall be of sufficient length to extend over three bearers and all ends shall be lapped over bearers. They shall be laid so that the sides abut and fit ‘‘tight’’. Two successive lengths of planking shall not abut upon a single putlog. If planks are laid end to end, two parallel putlogs shall be provided not more than eight inches apart, and in such a manner that one putlog supports the end of one of the planks and the other putlog supports the abutting end of the other plank. Where platform planks overlap on a single putlog, the lap of both the upper and lower planks shall be at least six inches over the center of the putlog. Platform planks shall project over the last putlog at the end of the scaffold by at least six inches but in no case more than 12 inches.
(i) Treatment of corners. Where a scaffold is built around a corner at least one putlog shall be laid and securely fastened diagonally across the corner, so that one end may rest upon each of the two ledgers that meet at the corner. Care shall be taken in laying platform planks, so that no tipping hazard exists. Poles shall be spaced at shorter intervals.
(j) Bracing. Pole scaffolds shall be firmly and adequately braced or shored in such a manner as to prevent them from swinging away from the building. Where spring stay braces are used they shall be placed at least in every alternate horizontal row of putlog holes. Diagonal bracing shall be also be provided to prevent the poles from moving parallel to the walls of the building, or from the buckling, whether spliced or not.
(k) Horses. Where the use of horses is necessary, they shall conform to the requirements set forth in § 6.24 (relating to horse scaffolds).
(l) Protection. Protection shall be afforded as set forth in § 6.32 (relating to protection).
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 6.13 (relating to independent pole scaffolds).
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