Catenary Scaffolds

A catenary scaffold is a suspension scaffold consisting of a platform supported by two essentially horizontal and parallel ropes attached to structural members of a building or other structure. Additional support may be provided by vertical pickups. Not more than two employees shall be permitted on the scaffold at one time.

Catenary scaffolds must adhere to the following criteria:

• No more than one platform can be placed between consecutive vertical pickups, and no more than two platforms can be used on a catenary scaffold.
• Platforms supported by wire ropes must have hook-shaped stops on each end of the platforms to prevent them from slipping off the wire ropes. These hooks must be so placed that they will prevent the platform from falling if one of the horizontal wire ropes breaks.
• Wire ropes must not be tightened to the extent that the application of a scaffold load will overstress them.
• Wire ropes must be continuous and without splices between anchors.

To learn more about Scaffolding Safety visit our Construction Scaffolding Safety Online Training web page.