Use of Scaffolds as an Anchorage for PFAS

Considering the importance of personal fall arrest systems for employee safety, it is worth reiterating that scaffold systems and components are not designed to withstand fall arrest forces. Very few scaffold components will meet the OSHA requirement of 5,000 pounds for a PFAS anchorage.

Personal fall arrest systems should be attached to a permanent structure unless a qualified person has determined such use to be safe and practical, or the manufacturer has approved such use in writing. The instructions of a qualified person or manufacturer concerning the use of a scaffold component as a PFAS anchorage should be followed exactly.

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