Counterweights for Suspension Scaffolds

Counterweights are a crucial part of a suspension scaffold and must meet the following criteria:

• Outrigger beams must be secured directly to the supporting surface or be stabilized using counterweights.
  • Exception: Masons' multi-point adjustable suspension scaffolds must not be stabilized by counterweights because masons' scaffolds are subject to large loads. The counterweights necessary to anchor such systems may dangerously overload the supporting roof or floor.
• A competent person must evaluate direct and affirm that supporting surfaces can support the anticipated loads.
• To ensure that counterweights are used only for their intended purpose and are not displaced or removed prematurely, they must meet the following criteria:
  • Be made of non-flowable material
  • Be specifically designed for use as a scaffold counterweight
  • Be secured to outrigger beams to prevent accidental displacement
  • Not be removed from an outrigger beam until the scaffold is disassembled
• Counterweights should be designed specifically for the purpose of counterweighting the system; the use of construction materials as counterweights is prohibited. Furthermore, counterweights should be labeled with their weights because that information is needed for their proper selection and installation.

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