New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 12 - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Chapter I - Industrial Board Of Appeals
Subchapter A - The Industrial Code
Part 23 - Protection In Construction, Demolition And Excavation Operations
Subpart 23-5 - Scaffolding
Section 23-5.4 - Tubular welded frame scaffolds

Universal Citation: 12 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs § 23-5.4

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 12, March 26, 2025

(a) Bracing.

(1) Tubular welded frame scaffolds shall be properly braced by cross bracing or diagonal bracing, or both, for securing vertical members together laterally. Such braces shall be of such length as will automatically square and align the vertical members of such scaffolds so that when erected such scaffolds are plumb, square and rigid. All braces shall be securely connected.

(2) Every tubular welded frame scaffold erected after June 1, 1972 to a height in excess of 26 feet shall be provided with continuous vertical cross-bracing on the inboard and outboard sides of the scaffold except as follows:
(i) Vertical cross-bracing may be omitted at the working level of any such scaffold. Such vertical bracing may be omitted between alternate pairs of scaffold frames on the inboard side of any such scaffold for a maximum of two working levels.

(ii) Tower bracing may be used in which case each separate tower shall be provided with continuous vertical cross-bracing for the full height on both the inboard and outboard sides. The vertical cross-bracing may be omitted on the inboard side of the uppermost working level only. Adjacent towers of the scaffold shall be tied together on both the inboard and outboard sides by continuous horizontal members that extend the full length of the scaffold. Such horizontal members shall be placed at every level where building or structure tie-ins are required by paragraph 23-5.3(h)(1) of this Subpart.

(3) Diagonal horizontal bracing shall be provided at every level where building or structure tie-ins are required.

(b) Scaffold frames.

(1) Coupling pins, sprockets or other safe positive couplers shall be used to connect scaffold frames at every vertical frame extension.

(2) Each frame leg shall have a positive lock or fastener to hold one frame member to the other vertically.

(3) The spacing of frame members of tubular welded frame scaffolds shall not exceed the following limits except for special conditions where trusses or other means of bracing insure the required factor of safety of such scaffolds:
(i) The maximum permissible frame spacing for heavy duty scaffolds shall be up to and including six feet.

(ii) The maximum permissible frame spacing for medium duty scaffolds shall be up to and including eight feet.

(iii) The maximum permissible frame spacing for light duty scaffolds shall be up to and including 10 feet.

(c) Brackets. Brackets shall be supported by the vertical members of the scaffold frames. Brackets shall not be more than 30 inches in width. When a bracket is used to extend the width of the frame on any side of a scaffold normally requiring a safety railing, provision shall be made in the outer end of such bracket for a safety railing post.

(d) Safety railing posts. Each safety railing post installed on a tubular welded frame scaffold shall fit over a coupling pin or sprocket connected to the outer end of an end frame leg, or shall fit into a frame leg not less than four inches. Such post shall be securely fastened to the end frame of the scaffold by a positive locking device.

(e) Metal trusses.

(1) Where metal trusses are used on any tubular welded frame scaffold, such trusses shall be provided with sufficient supports for the platform planks between the scaffold frames.

(2) Any metal truss used to span a gap in a tubular welded frame scaffold shall have a strength capacity sufficient to provide the required factor of safety.

(3) Where trusses are used on tubular welded frame scaffolds erected to a height of more than 60 feet, such scaffolds shall be designed by a professional engineer licensed to practice in the State of New York. Copies of the design drawings for any such scaffold shall be kept at the scaffold installation site available for examination by the commissioner.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New York may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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