(w) Mobile

Mobile (Manually or Propelled)
Unpowered, portable, caster- or wheel-mounted supported scaffold.

Scaffolds shall be braced by cross, horizontal, or diagonal braces, or combination thereof, to prevent racking or collapse of the scaffold and to secure vertical members together laterally so as to automatically square and align the vertical members. Scaffolds shall be plumb, level, and squared. All brace connections shall be secured.

Scaffolds constructed of tube and coupler components shall also comply with the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section;

Scaffolds constructed of fabricated frame components shall also comply with the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section. Scaffold casters and wheels shall be locked with positive wheel and/or wheel and swivel locks, or equivalent means, to prevent movement of the scaffold while the scaffold is used in a stationary manner.

Manual force used to move the scaffold shall be applied as close to the base as practicable, but not more than 5 feet (1.5 m) above the supporting surface. Power systems used to propel mobile scaffolds shall be designed for such use. Forklifts, trucks, similar motor vehicles or add-on motors shall not be used to propel scaffolds unless the scaffold is designed for such propulsion systems.

Scaffolds shall be stabilized to prevent tipping during movement. Employees shall not be allowed to ride on scaffolds unless the following conditions exist:

The surface on which the scaffold is being moved is within 3 degrees of level, and free of pits, holes, and obstructions;

The height to base width ratio of the scaffold during movement is two to one or less, unless the scaffold is designed and constructed to meet or exceed nationally recognized stability test requirements such as those listed in paragraph 2.(w) of appendix A to this subpart;

Outrigger frames, when used, are installed on both sides of the scaffold;

When power systems are used, the propelling force is applied directly to the wheels, and does not produce a speed in excess of 1 foot per second (.3 mps); and

No employee is on any part of the scaffold which extends outward beyond the wheels, casters, or other supports.

Platforms shall not extend outward beyond the base supports of the scaffold unless outrigger frames or equivalent devices are used to ensure stability.

Where leveling of the scaffold is necessary, screw jacks or equivalent means shall be used.

Caster stems and wheel stems shall be pinned or otherwise secured in scaffold legs or adjustment screws.

Before a scaffold is moved, each employee on the scaffold shall be made aware of the move.

Specific Requirements:

  • Scaffolds must be plumb, level, and squared.
  • To prevent collapse of the scaffold, to secure vertical members together laterally and to automatically square and align vertical members, scaffolds must be braced by
    • Cross-braces
    • Horizontal braces
    • Diagonal braces
    • Or a combination of braces
  • All brace connections must be secured.
  • To prevent movement of the scaffold while it is being used in a stationary position, scaffold casters and wheels must be locked with
    • Positive wheel locks
    • Wheel and swivel locks
    • And/or equivalent means
  • Caster stems and wheel stems in scaffold legs or adjustment screws must be
    • Pinned
    • Or otherwise secured
  • Platforms must not extend beyond the base supports of the scaffold, unless stability is ensured by :
    • Outrigger frames
    • Equivalent devices
  • Leveling of the scaffold, where necessary, must be achieved by the use of
    • Screw jacks
    • Equivalent means
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