Scaffold Load Capacity

All scaffolds must be designed by a qualified person and must be constructed and loaded in accordance with that design.

Generally, each scaffold and scaffold component must be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it. However, many scaffolds have more complex capacity requirements:

• Direct connections to roofs and floors, and counterweights used to balance adjustable suspension scaffolds, must be capable of resisting at least 4 times the tipping moment imposed by the scaffold operating at the rated load of the hoist, or 1.5 (minimum) times the tipping moment imposed by the scaffold operating at the stall load of the hoist, whichever is greater.
• Each suspension rope, including its connecting hardware, used on non-adjustable suspension scaffolds must be capable of supporting, without failure, at least 6 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to that rope.
• Each suspension rope, including its connecting hardware, used on adjustable suspension scaffolds must be capable of supporting, without failure, at least 6 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to that rope with the scaffold operating at either the rated load of the hoist or 2 (minimum) times the stall load of the hoist, whichever is greater.
• The stall load of any scaffold hoist must not exceed 3 times its rated load.

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