Pennsylvania Code
Title 34 - LABOR AND INDUSTRY
Part I - Department of Labor and Industry
Chapter 6 - CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIRS
SPECIFICATIONS
Section 6.14 - Suspended scaffolds

(a) Fixtures and appliances. Only approved scaffold machines shall be used in the erection and use of any scaffold. Where scaffold machines are rented, all the fixtures and appliances received with them shall be erected and used at all times when such scaffolds are in service. The moving parts of scaffold machines shall be frequently inspected and shall be exposed to view at all times so that possible defects may be readily detected, but such moving parts shall be railed off or otherwise guarded to protect workmen from coming into contact with them.

(b) Suspended scaffolds recommended. The use of a suspended scaffold is recommended for all buildings more than five stories high, built with a frame to provide overhead support. The parts of the building or structure to which a suspended scaffold is attached shall be examined to determine if such parts are of sufficient strength to support properly the load that may be imposed on the scaffold.

(c) Safety factor. A suspended scaffold shall be capable of sustaining a working load of 40 pounds per square foot with a factor of safety of four.

(d) Suspension supports. When cables are used they shall conform to the requirements set forth in § 6.31 (relating to cables, ropes, block and tackle). Where steel ribbons or suspension supports other than cables are used, they shall possess a factor of safety in strength of at least eight.

(e) Thrustouts. Thrustouts shall consist of steel I-beams or, in the case of the overhand type of machine, steel channel beams, which project at least one foot beyond the outer edge of the suspended platform, and shall be securely anchored and fastened to the steel frame work of the building by means of U-bolts and anchor plates tightened by the use of jam or lock nuts or, where building conditions prevent, by other approved equally effective means. I-beam thrustouts shall be equipped with a stop bolt rigidly fastened and of adequate size to prevent the shackle from slipping over the edge of the beam. Channel beam thrustouts shall be parallel and secured to each other by a bolt at least 3/4 inch in diameter over which thimbles of iron pipe shall be slipped to keep the beams the necessary distance apart.

(f) Putlogs. Putlogs shall be securely fastened to the scaffold fixtures and spaced not more than 8 feet apart.

(g) Platforms. Platform planks shall be laid so that their edges abut and fit "tight." Planks shall be not less than 10 inches wide and 2 inches thick. The platform planks shall overlap putlogs by at least 1 foot but not more than 2 feet at the ends of the scaffold.

(h) Prevention of swaying. Ropes or hooks shall be used and fastened to the platform of the scaffold and to the building in such a manner and at such intervals as to prevent the scaffold from swinging away from the building. Likewise, fenders shall be provided to prevent the scaffold from swinging against the building.

(i) Protection. Protection shall be afforded as set forth in § 6.32 (relating to protection).