What can OSHA do to stop a company from selling lumber as scaffold plank when the lumber does not meet the lumber grading requirements? The qualified person who designed the scaffold system would be expected to be well informed as to the technical aspects associated with planking, including those that pertain to the strength and structural integrity of individual scaffold components. For example, the CSHO will attempt to determine the extent of knowledge possessed by the qualified person. Typically, the Compliance Safety and Health Officer (CSHO) will use several methods in order to determine whether or not an employer meets the requirements of Subpart L. Instead, they are trained to investigate whether the employer has taken the steps necessary to comply with the requirements of the standard. Also, commenters expressed concern that the markings would create a false sense of security or safety, and that maintaining the markings would be neither feasible nor economical.Īs you pointed out in your letter, the marking of planks does not, in itself, ensure a safe platform.ĭo OSHA Compliance Officers and Consultation individuals have the ability to recognize a scaffold grade plank based on slope of grain and annual growth rings?Ĭompliance officers and consultation personnel are not trained by OSHA to have that type of expertise. Some respondents expressed the view that a marking requirement would be impractical for manufacturers and that the costs would be burdensome to the consumer. This issue was considered during the rulemaking process (Federal Register / Vol. Why doesn't OSHA require a grading stamp on the scaffold plank? For your convenience, the current list of certified agencies is enclosed. Under this appendix, when calculating lumber strength for purposes of complying with Subpart L, the qualified person may base his/her calculations using the grading rules established by a recognized lumber grading association, or an independent lumber grading inspection agency, and certified by the Board of Review, American Lumber Standard Committee, as set forth in the American Softwood Lumber Standard (ASLS) of the U.S. This includes selecting wooden planking that will meet the design specifications of the scaffold and loads imposed on it.Īppendix A to Subpart L is a non-mandatory guide that may be used to help select lumber for scaffold planks. However, employers must ensure that scaffolds are designed, erected, used and maintained in compliance with the provisions of Part 1926 Subpart L?Scaffolds. OSHA does not require that scaffold planks be graded and stamped by a qualified grading agency. Which lumber grading agencies will OSHA accept as a qualified grading agency for inspecting and stamping scaffold grade lumber? Your questions are restated and responded to as follows: This is in response to your letter dated July 7, 2000, in which you requested our response to several questions or issues regarding wooden planks used in scaffold platforms.
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