Inspection, Maintenance, and Use of Scaffolds
Inspection is a continuous duty, not a one-time event. A scaffold must be inspected by a competent person before use, after any alteration, after adverse weather (especially high wind), and at intervals set by the jurisdiction or site policy. Tagging systems - green (safe), yellow (caution/restricted), red (do not use) - communicate status; traps include using a scaffold with a missing or outdated tag, or assuming a tag remains valid after the scaffold is altered. Maintenance covers replacing damaged planks, tightening couplers, checking base jacks, and repairing guardrails.
Use questions test behavior: don't overload the platform, don't remove guardrails or planks without authorization, don't use the scaffold as a storage rack, and don't climb bracing. Housekeeping - keeping platforms clear of debris and tools - prevents trips and falling objects. Traps include treating a visual glance as an inspection, ignoring a red tag because "it looks fine," and forgetting that altered scaffolds must be re-inspected.
Worked example / rule of thumb: The "before, during, after" rule: inspect before each shift, monitor during use, and re-inspect after weather or alteration. If a scaffold is altered, the tag must be updated and the scaffold re-inspected before anyone uses it.