The Scaffold Safety unit would like to take this opportunity to remind all contractors and licensed riggers to maintain safe working practices when using suspended scaffolds for both construction and inspection activities. The Scaffold Safety Unit has also provided a brief list of safety tips and a summary of the applicable code sections for the use of suspended scaffolds. For more information, read the  Steps to Safety: Recommendations for Improving the Safety of Workers on Suspended Scaffolds  (772 kb).

Please note the following safety tips, which if implemented, can potentially save the lives of your employees and the public around sites where suspended scaffolds are being used.

• Thoroughly check motors, brakes and all mechanical equipment on a routine basis. Ensure that proper maintenance is performed prior to operating it on the site and that everything is functioning properly.

• Ensure that all employees working on the site have one or more of the following credentials: Riggers license (Special or Master), Foreman ID card, Certificate of Fitness as required by the Department's  Rule 9-03  (2,196 kb) (reprinted in Appendix A of the Code, Chapter 9 Rigging Operations).

• Licensed riggers and licensed sign hangers must ensure that workers on suspended scaffolds have completed safety training from a  DOB approved course  (48 kb). Workers must obtain a Certificate of Completion from the training course which licensed riggers and sign hangers must see before issuing workers a Certificate of Fitness to work on a job.

• All workers on a rig must always wear safety harnesses (dorsal dynamic, OSHA-approved).

• Make sure that every worker is secured to an individual lifeline at all times when working on suspended scaffolds.

• Ensure lifelines have separate and independent anchor points from the outrigger tiebacks.

• Ensure that all workers operating the motors, brakes, etc. know what to do when a motor drifts, when the brakes don't lock, or when there is a mechanical problem.  This additional training can be incredibly useful in preventing the platform from going vertical.

• Never remove any emergency brakes or other safety mechanisms from the rigs. If these additional safety elements are not functioning properly, the rig should be taken out of service until proper maintenance is performed.

In addition, please take the time to review the Building Code. Below is a list of some of the sections as they pertain to suspended scaffolds:

•  Title 26, Subchapter 2, Article 6 (26-172) Rigger's License  (262 kb)
  • Master Rigger
  • Special Rigger

•  Title 27, Chapter 19, Article 8 Scaffolds (365 kb)

•  Appendix A, Chapter 9 Rigging Operations  (2,196 kb) (Title 1 of the RCNY)
  • Supervision of Rigging Operations
  • Providing Certificates of Fitness

•  Appendix A , Chapter 25 Climber and Tower Crane Riggers License  (2,196 kb) (Title 1 of the RCNY)

In an ongoing effort to encourage safe work sites, the Department of Buildings will continue to closely monitor and inspect all sites where scaffolds are utilized and where tower cranes are being erected and dismantled throughout the five boroughs. If we find that applicable regulations are not followed, the Department will issue violations and stop work orders to ensure the safety of the public and all workers in and around all of New York's 950,000 buildings.