Climbing a scaffold is a common, yet essentially dangerous, activity for an employee in industries like construction, renovation, and industrial maintenance work. Scaffolds are necessary for elevated access work, but they can be the cause of serious accidents (falls, collapses, or electrical events) if workers are unaware of their surroundings, did not inspect the scaffold or site before climbing, or did not take other necessary precautions. Complete background checks need to take place prior to any worker stepping onto a scaffold to ensure safety and work activity is performed effectively. The comprehensive guide below combines important safety information with actions taken to create a thorough checklist for workers, supervisors, or site managers on the day of work. Let’s take a deeper look at what you need to check to ensure a scaffold is a safe workspace.         The Importance of Pre-Climb Checks   Scaffolds are temporary structures that are constructed to support a worker and material at elevations, but that transient structure exposes them to neglect. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls from scaffolds are one of the most prevalent causes of workplace injuries, often the result of insufficient planning ahead of time or if hazards were simply not recognized. Confirming the essential safety elements before climbing a scaffold can ultimately save lives while conforming to regulations and maintaining the momentum of the project. What do I have to check? Below is a complete listing of what steps to take.         Crucial Safety Inspections Before Scaffolding   Safety starts with a proper assessment of the scaffold, its environment and individuals on or around it. Below we take a closer look at what to inspect:   1. Scaffold Structure and Stability     Scaffold Stability: Ensure the scaffold is level and stable on a firm foundation. Check to ensure it is not uneven or that no base plates are missing that may cause the scaffold to not level or tip.  If it is a mobile scaffold, ensure the wheels are all in contact with the ground. Condition of Components: Inspect all components (e.g., tubes, braces, couplers, and platforms) for deterioration. Bending metal, cracks in welded joints, and deteriorating joints will begin to take away from the overall strength of the system and will require some evaluation before using a scaffold. Brakes Locked: In the case of mobile scaffolds, ensure that all brakes are locked. Test the brakes by applying some pressure to check if the scaffold will not roll unexpectedly when in use. Load Capacity: Verify the scaffold's maximum load capacity (usually documented on a label or similar) and then calculate the combined weight of the employees, tools, and materials. Overloading a scaffold is a very common cause of collapse so always be well in the recommended load limits.        2. Proper Assembly and Compliance with Regulations     Proper Assembly: Verify that the scaffold was erected by trained individuals in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and applicable regulations (such as OSHA in the U.S. and HSE in the U.K.). Look to see if all connections are tight, and parts have been installed per specifications. Guardrails and Toeboards: Check each open side of the scaffold is equipped with guardrails (36 to 42 inches high), midrails, and toeboards to prevent workers from falling off the working surface and tools and materials from falling to the ground below. Ties and Anchors: It is very important to ensure that your scaffold system is tied to the building or another permanent structure. If the scaffold system does not have ties, it can become unstable, especially on taller scaffolding systems when lateral forces from the wind or other factors cause the scaffold to sway. Safety Tags: You will want to identify if the scaffold system has an inspection tag or a written report indicating the scaffold system status:   Green: Full use for all activities.  Yellow: Verified for use with limitations (for example, Light Duty Only).  Red: Scaffold is not inspected and not safe to be on or take down until repaired. Documentation: Ask to see the most recent inspection report dating when the scaffold was last inspected from the jobsite supervisor; verification from your supervisor is important for verification.       3. Secure Access and Walkways     Ladder Condition: Inspect ladders for damage, which includes bent rungs, or loose bolts.  If they are portable ladders they must be secured to the scaffold, and extended a minimum of 3 feet over the work platform to give workers a way to ravel securely up and down. Ladder Placement: Set ladders at a 4:1 ratio (1 foot out for every 4 feet of height) to lessen the risk of tipping ladders. Never use ladders on unstable surfaces, such as, mud or gravel. Clear Pathways: If the scaffold is drivable, make sure the path to its final destination is clear of any obstructions - debris, tools, or uneven ground - that would obstruct movement or lead to tripping. Make sure to inspect around all access areas for hazards.  Responsible Climbing: Do not climb on the scaffold frame or cross-bracing; use the proper ladder or the proper stairs. Inform workers to go up and down slowly and to maintain three points of contact (two hands, one foot or the other way around).     4. Ground and Environmental Conditions     Ground Stability: Check that the ground the scaffold rests on is solid, level, and capable of bearing its weight. Soft soil, sandy areas, or waterlogged areas may need to have base plates or additional support. Qualified personnel should be in close proximity to monitor the ground, especially after rain.   Weather Conditions: Verify what the forecast is and what the current weather says. Conditions such as winds (greater than 25-30 mph winds, depending on local regulations), heavy rain, ice, or lightning create unsafe conditions to do work with scaffolding. If conditions become unsafe, cease work. If work is to be done in lower light conditions (dawn or dusk), there needs to be adequate lighting to work. Distance from Hazards: Always maintain a safe distance from traffic or other activities that could impact the scaffold with vehicles, heavy machinery, or site activities that could penetrate or destabilize the scaffolding. If these areas need to be marked off, do so.       5. Electrical Safety Precautions   Power Line Location: If scaffolding is near overhead power lines, use only nonconductive or composite (fiberglass) scaffolding. Maintain a minimum distance (typically 10 feet, per OSHA) from live wires.   Ground Fault Protection: Use tools and equipment that are all grounded, or use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). Use GFCI to cut off power in case of a fault. Test them before beginning work.       6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)       Fall Protection: For heights above 6-10 feet (per local rules), wear a full-body harness with a lanyard attached to a secure anchor point on the scaffold. Test the fit and connections before climbing.   Footwear: Use non-slip, steel-toe boots to protect against slips and falling objects. Check soles for wear that could reduce traction.   Helmet: Wear a hard hat to shield against head injuries from dropped tools or debris. Ensure it’s snug and undamaged.   Additional Gear: Depending on the job, consider gloves, safety glasses, or high-visibility clothing for added protection.           Climb with Confidence: A Final Checklist     Before climbing a scaffold, run through this comprehensive checklist: Is the structure stable, properly assembled, and tagged as safe? Are brakes locked, load limits respected, and access points secure? Have you assessed the ground, weather, and nearby hazards like power lines or traffic? Are you equipped with the right PPE, trained for the task, and backed by an emergency plan? If any answer is “no,” pause and resolve the issue.   Safety isn’t a one-time check. By confirming these factors, you safeguard yourself, your team, and your project’s success. Approach every scaffold with diligence, and make safety your foundation for working at height.         FAQ   Can I climb a scaffold if something seems off? No. If you notice issues—like a missing guardrail, a red tag, or unsafe weather—report them to a supervisor and wait for resolution. safety always comes first.   How does knowing regulations help with scaffold safety? Understanding standards like OSHA’s 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L or HSE guidelines ensures you follow best practices for setup, inspection, and use. Compliance reduces risks, avoids fines, and promotes a culture of safety on-site.         Read More   Mast Climbers - Scaffolding eTool —— OSHA Fall Protection-Scaffolds/Elevated Work Platforms —— UCOP