Education & Training

Scaffold Builder Education and Training

Erectors and dismantlers are workers whose principal activity involves assembling and disassembling scaffolding before other work can begin, and after that work, or a portion of it, has been completed. There are three types of individuals involved in Erecting and Dismantling Scaffolds:

  • A Competent Person
  • A Qualified Person
  • A Design Engineer

OSHA requires employers to provide training by a competent person to each employee who is involved in erecting and/or disassembling a scaffold. A competent person is defined as one who Is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards and has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate such hazards.

A Competent person who can demonstrate they have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to carry out a task. Not only will they be able to spot the hazards, they will know how to eradicate them as they have the required training.

A Qualified person must do adequate preplanning to assure the safe erection and use of the scaffold.

  • Determining the type of scaffold necessary for the job.
  • Determining the maximum load for the scaffold.
  • Assuring a good foundation.
  • Avoiding electrical hazards.

Requirements for Designing
Scaffolds must be designed by a qualified person and be constructed and loaded in accordance with that design. OSHA defines a qualified person as one who:

  • Possesses a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing.
  • Has extensive knowledge, training, and experience has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.
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