Question 1

Scaffolds must be designed to support, without failure, their own weight and at least how many times the maximum intended load?

Accepted Answer

Each scaffold and scaffold component shall be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it.

Question 2

At what height must fall protection be provided for employees on scaffolds?

Accepted Answer

Each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet above a lower level shall be protected from falling to that lower level.

Question 3

Scaffold planks must extend over their end supports by at least how many inches but not more than 12 inches?

Accepted Answer

Each scaffold plank shall extend over the end support by not less than 6 inches and not more than 12 inches unless the plank is restrained.

Question 4

Who must inspect scaffolds before each work shift?

Accepted Answer

Scaffolds and scaffold components shall be inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift, and after any occurrence which could affect a scaffold's structural integrity.

Question 5

The maximum gap between scaffold planks and the front edge of a scaffold must not exceed:

Accepted Answer

The space between the scaffold platform and the face of the work must not exceed 14 inches, but the gap between planks on the platform shall not exceed 1 inch.

Question 6

What is the minimum width for scaffold platforms?

Accepted Answer

Each scaffold platform shall be at least 18 inches wide unless the employer can demonstrate that 18-inch wide platforms are not feasible.

Question 7

A competent person who erects scaffolds must be able to:

Accepted Answer

A competent person is one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

Question 8

Scaffold platforms must be fully planked or decked between the front uprights and the guardrail supports. What is the maximum gap between planks?

Accepted Answer

The gap between adjacent planks on scaffold platforms must not exceed 1 inch unless a wider gap is necessary and the employer can demonstrate it is safe.

Question 9

Access to scaffolds must be provided when the scaffold platform is more than how many feet above or below a point of access?

Accepted Answer

When scaffold platforms are more than 2 feet above or below a point of access, ladders, stair towers, ramps, walkways, or integral prefabricated scaffold access must be used.

Question 10

What must be placed under scaffold legs or base plates on soft ground?

Accepted Answer

Supported scaffold poles, legs, posts, frames, and uprights shall bear on base plates and mud sills or other adequate firm foundation. Unstable objects shall not be used to support scaffolds.

Question 11

Employees working on scaffolds must be trained by a:

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 12

Cross braces on scaffolds may be used as a top rail if the crossing point is:

Accepted Answer

Cross braces may be used as top rails when the crossing point of the two braces is between 38 inches and 48 inches above the work platform.

Question 13

Supported scaffolds with a height-to-base width ratio of more than 4:1 must be:

Accepted Answer

Supported scaffolds with a height to base width ratio of more than four to one shall be restrained from tipping by guying, tying, bracing, or equivalent means.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT acceptable for use as scaffold support?

Accepted Answer

Unstable objects such as barrels, boxes, loose brick, or concrete blocks shall not be used to support scaffolds or planks.

Question 15

On a scaffold, what type of fall protection is required for employees on supported scaffolds over 10 feet?

Accepted Answer

Employees on supported scaffolds more than 10 feet above a lower level shall be protected by guardrail systems or personal fall arrest systems.

Question 16

The maximum intended load for a scaffold includes:

Accepted Answer

The maximum intended load is the total of all loads including the working load, the weight of the scaffold, and any other loads anticipated.

Question 17

Scaffold guardrail top rails must be installed at a height between:

Accepted Answer

The top edge height of top rails for scaffolds manufactured or placed in service after January 1, 2000, shall be between 38 inches and 45 inches.

Question 18

A mobile scaffold must have its wheels locked when:

Accepted Answer

Casters and wheels on mobile scaffolds shall be locked with positive wheel and/or wheel lock brakes to prevent movement of the scaffold while the scaffold is used in a stationary manner.

Question 19

Employees may NOT ride on a mobile scaffold during movement unless:

Accepted Answer

Employees shall not be permitted to ride on scaffolds unless the surface is within prescribed levelness tolerances, free from pits, holes, and obstructions, and the height-to-base width ratio is 2:1 or less.

Question 20

A scaffold that is damaged or weakened must be:

Accepted Answer

Any part of a scaffold that has been damaged or weakened must be immediately repaired or replaced, braced to meet those provisions, or removed from service until repaired.

Question 21

Employees must NOT work on scaffolds covered with snow, ice, or other slippery material EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Work on or from scaffolds is prohibited during storms or high winds unless a competent person has determined that it is safe. Scaffolds covered with snow or ice must not be used until cleared, except to remove the material.

Question 22

How close to power lines may scaffolds be erected without protection or insulation?

Accepted Answer

Scaffolds shall not be erected, used, dismantled, altered, or moved such that they or any conductive material handled on them might come closer to exposed and energized power lines than 3 feet for insulated lines and 10 feet for uninsulated lines.

Question 23

Suspension scaffold support devices (outrigger beams) must be made of:

Accepted Answer

Outrigger beams used for suspension scaffolds must be made of structural metal or equivalent strength material and be restrained to prevent movement.

Question 24

On a suspended scaffold, what type of fall protection is required?

Accepted Answer

Each employee on a suspended scaffold shall be protected by both a personal fall arrest system and a guardrail system.

Question 25

Scaffold components from different manufacturers:

Accepted Answer

Scaffold components manufactured by different manufacturers shall not be intermixed unless the components fit together without force and the scaffold's structural integrity is maintained.

Question 26

When scaffold planks are overlapped, the overlap must occur over a support and be at least:

Accepted Answer

When planks are overlapped to create a long platform, the overlap shall occur only over supports and shall not be less than 12 inches unless the planks are nailed together or otherwise secured.

Question 27

A competent person must train scaffold erectors and dismantlers in:

Accepted Answer

The employer shall have each employee involved in erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, inspecting, or maintaining a scaffold trained by a competent person.

Question 28

The maximum distance between scaffold supports for scaffold planking depends on:

Accepted Answer

The maximum permissible span for scaffold planks depends on the type and grade of lumber and the intended load. For example, full-thickness undressed 2x10 lumber can span up to 8 feet for a 25 psf load.

Question 29

What load must a light-duty scaffold support per square foot?

Accepted Answer

A light-duty scaffold is designed for 25 pounds per square foot. Medium-duty supports 50 psf, and heavy-duty supports 75 psf.

Question 30

When using a personal fall arrest system on a scaffold, the attachment point must be:

Accepted Answer

When personal fall arrest systems are used on scaffolds, the attachment must be to a vertical lifeline, horizontal lifeline, or scaffold structural member, connected at the D-ring on the back of the harness.

Question 31

Climbing on scaffold cross braces as a means of access is:

Accepted Answer

Cross braces shall not be used as a means of access. Proper access must be provided through ladders, stair towers, ramps, or other approved means.

Question 32

The footing for a scaffold must be:

Accepted Answer

Scaffold footings must be level, sound, rigid, and capable of supporting the loaded scaffold without settling or displacement. Unstable objects shall not be used.

Question 33

Makeshift scaffolds constructed of ladders and planks are:

Accepted Answer

Makeshift scaffolds are not permitted. All scaffolds must be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered under the supervision of a competent person and must meet OSHA standards.

Question 34

Which type of scaffold is suspended from the roof of a building by wire ropes?

Accepted Answer

A suspended scaffold is a platform suspended by ropes or other non-rigid means from an overhead structure. Two-point suspension scaffolds (swing stages) are the most common type.

Question 35

Scaffold tags (green, yellow, red) are used to indicate:

Accepted Answer

Scaffold tagging systems use green (safe to use), yellow (caution - certain restrictions), and red (danger - do not use) to communicate scaffold status to workers.

Question 36

What is a heavy-duty scaffold rated to support per square foot?

Accepted Answer

Heavy-duty scaffolds are rated for 75 pounds per square foot. These are used for masonry work and other heavy operations.

Question 37

Scaffold training must include all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Scaffold training must cover hazards associated with the type of scaffold, procedures for dealing with electrical hazards, fall protection, load capacities, and other relevant safety topics. Personal medical history is not part of scaffold training.

Question 38

When swinging loads are being hoisted onto or near scaffolds, what precaution is required?

Accepted Answer

Tag lines or equivalent measures shall be used to control loads being hoisted onto or near scaffolds to prevent swinging and contact with the scaffold.

Question 39

Each suspension scaffold supporting more than 500 pounds must have at least how many wire ropes?

Accepted Answer

Each suspension scaffold must be supported by at least 2 wire ropes. This provides redundancy in case one rope fails.

Question 40

What is the purpose of a toeboard on a scaffold?

Accepted Answer

Toeboards are installed along the edge of scaffold platforms to prevent tools, materials, and debris from falling off the platform and striking workers below.

Question 41

When a competent person determines that work on a scaffold is unsafe due to weather conditions, what must happen?

Accepted Answer

Work on or from scaffolds is prohibited during storms or high winds unless a competent person has determined that it is safe for employees to be on the scaffold and those employees are protected.

Question 42

Scaffold planks used as platforms must be scaffold-grade or equivalent. What is the minimum nominal thickness?

Accepted Answer

Solid sawn wood planks used for scaffold platforms shall be of scaffold-grade or equivalent, with a minimum nominal thickness of 2 inches.

Question 43

When must scaffold retraining be provided?

Accepted Answer

The employer shall have each employee retrained when the employer has reason to believe that an employee lacks the skill or understanding needed for safe work, including changes at the worksite that present new hazards.

Question 44

The front edge of a scaffold platform must be within what distance from the face of the work?

Accepted Answer

The front edge of all platforms shall not be more than 14 inches from the face of the work, unless guardrail systems are erected along the front edge or personal fall arrest systems are used.

Question 45

Which of the following is TRUE about using forklifts to support scaffold platforms?

Accepted Answer

Forklifts may support scaffold platforms when the entire fork assembly is secured, the platform is secured to the fork, and the forklift is not moved while employees are on the platform.

Question 46

What type of scaffold consists of a platform supported by brackets attached to building walls or columns?

Accepted Answer

A bracket scaffold consists of a platform supported by brackets mounted on building walls or columns. The brackets must be specifically designed for this purpose.

Question 47

The OSHA standard for scaffolding in construction is found in:

Accepted Answer

Subpart L of 29 CFR 1926 covers scaffolding requirements for construction, including sections 1926.450 through 1926.454.

Question 48

Wire ropes on suspension scaffolds must be inspected by a competent person before each work shift and must be capable of supporting at least how many times the intended load?

Accepted Answer

Each suspension rope, including connecting hardware, must be capable of supporting, without failure, at least 6 times the rated load of the hoist.

Question 49

What must be done if a scaffold plank shows visible signs of warping, splitting, or decay?

Accepted Answer

Scaffold platforms and components showing visible defects such as warping, splitting, or decay must be immediately removed from service by a competent person.

Question 50

Employees working on single-point or two-point adjustable suspension scaffolds must be protected by:

Accepted Answer

Employees on single-point and two-point adjustable suspension scaffolds shall be protected by both a personal fall arrest system and a guardrail system.

Question 51

What is the minimum height requirement for toeboards on scaffold platforms?

Accepted Answer

Toeboards on scaffold platforms must be a minimum of 3-1/2 inches in height from the top edge of the toeboard to the level of the walking/working surface. Toeboards prevent tools, materials, and debris from falling off the platform onto workers below.

Question 52

On a two-point adjustable suspension scaffold (swing stage), the platform must not be more than how many inches wide for a two-person scaffold?

Accepted Answer

OSHA does not specify a maximum width for two-point suspension scaffolds. The platform width is determined by the scaffold design, the capacity of the hoisting equipment, and the rated load. The scaffold must be capable of supporting its intended load without failure.

Question 53

When erecting a system scaffold, who must supervise the erection process?

Accepted Answer

Scaffolds shall be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered only under the supervision and direction of a competent person who is qualified in scaffold erection, moving, dismantling, or alteration. The competent person must be able to identify hazards and has authority to take corrective action.

Question 54

What is the maximum height-to-base width ratio for a mobile scaffold before outriggers or stabilizers are required?

Accepted Answer

Supported scaffolds, including mobile scaffolds, with a height-to-base width ratio of more than 4 to 1 shall be restrained from tipping by guying, tying, bracing, outriggers, or equivalent means. Below this ratio, the scaffold is generally considered stable enough without additional stabilization.

Question 55

A counterweight used for suspension scaffold outrigger beams must be made of:

Accepted Answer

Counterweights used for suspension scaffolds must be made of non-flowable material. Counterweights shall not be made of sand, gravel, masonry units, rolls of roofing material, or similar flowable or easily displaced materials. They must be secured to prevent inadvertent removal.

Question 56

What is the minimum rated load capacity that each scaffold hoist must support on a two-point suspension scaffold?

Accepted Answer

Power-operated hoists used on suspension scaffolds must have the stall load of the hoist be at least 3 times the rated load of the hoist. This provides a safety factor to protect against overloading and mechanical failure.

Question 57

Scaffold base plates serve what primary function?

Accepted Answer

Base plates are placed under scaffold legs to distribute the concentrated load of the scaffold over a larger area, helping to prevent the scaffold from sinking into soft ground or penetrating the supporting surface. They also help maintain a level and stable base.

Question 58

On a suspended scaffold, the personal fall arrest system lifeline must be attached to:

Accepted Answer

When a personal fall arrest system is used on a suspension scaffold, the lifeline must be attached to an independent structural member or anchorage point, not to the scaffold or its support ropes. This ensures that if the scaffold fails, the fall arrest system remains functional.

Question 59

Mudsills used under scaffold base plates must be:

Accepted Answer

Mudsills must be sound, rigid, and capable of supporting the loaded scaffold without settling or displacement. They distribute the load from the base plates to the ground surface and must be of adequate size and strength for the soil conditions.

Question 60

During scaffold dismantling, at what point may fall protection be removed by the erectors?

Accepted Answer

Fall protection may be removed during scaffold erection and dismantling when it would create a greater hazard, as determined by the competent person. In such cases, the competent person must direct the work and ensure other safeguards are in place.

Question 61

System scaffolds differ from other scaffold types primarily because they:

Accepted Answer

System scaffolds (also called modular scaffolds) feature pre-engineered components with built-in connection points such as rosettes or cups that allow for quick, consistent, and reliable assembly. This design reduces the potential for improper erection compared to tube-and-coupler scaffolds.

Question 62

When using a mobile scaffold, employees must NOT ride on the scaffold during movement UNLESS which condition is met?

Accepted Answer

Employees may ride on mobile scaffolds during movement only when the surface is within prescribed tolerances for levelness, free from pits, holes, and obstructions; the height-to-base width ratio is 2:1 or less; and outriggers are installed if required.

Question 63

What is the required capacity of a scaffold guardrail toprail in terms of force applied in a downward or outward direction?

Accepted Answer

Scaffold guardrail top rails must be capable of withstanding a force of at least 200 pounds applied in any downward or horizontal direction at any point along the top edge. This ensures the guardrail can restrain a worker who leans against or falls into it.

Question 64

A green scaffold tag indicates that the scaffold:

Accepted Answer

In scaffold tagging systems, a green tag indicates the scaffold has been erected, inspected by a competent person, and found to be safe for intended use. Workers may use the scaffold in accordance with its rated capacity and restrictions.

Scaffolding Practice Questions

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