Mobile Scaffolds

A mobile scaffold is a powered or unpowered, portable, caster or wheel-mounted supported scaffold.

Mobile scaffolds must adhere to the following criteria:

• Scaffolds must be braced by cross, horizontal, or diagonal braces, or a 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 must be plumb, level, and squared. All brace connections must be secured.
  • Scaffolds constructed of tube and coupler components must also comply with the requirements of tube and coupler scaffolds;
  • Scaffolds constructed of fabricated frame components must also comply with the requirements of fabricated frame scaffolds.
• Scaffold casters and wheels must be locked with positive wheel 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 must be applied as close to the base as practicable, but not more than 5 feet above the supporting surface.
• Power systems used to propel mobile scaffolds must be designed for such use. Forklifts, trucks, similar motor vehicles or add-on motors must not be used to propel scaffolds unless the scaffold is designed for such propulsion systems.
• Scaffolds must be stabilized to prevent tipping during movement.
• Employees must not be allowed to ride on scaffolds unless all of 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 Appendix C to Subpart L of 29 CFR 1926, "List of National Consensus Standards."
  • 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.
  • No employee is on any part of the scaffold which extends outward beyond the wheels, casters, or other supports.
• Platforms must 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 must be used.
• Caster stems and wheel stems must be pinned or otherwise secured in scaffold legs or adjustment screws.
• Before a scaffold is moved, each employee on the scaffold must be made aware of the move.

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