What is a scaffold under OSHA?

A scaffold is any temporary elevated platform, supported or suspended, and its supporting structure, including points of anchorage, used for supporting employees or materials or both.

By Cairn. Updated October 29, 2026. Sources: eCFR text as of October 27, 2026.

The legal definition

“Scaffold means any temporary elevated platform (supported or suspended) and its supporting structure (including points of anchorage), used for supporting employees or materials or both.”

29 CFR 1926.450(b), definition of “Scaffold”. eCFR, text as of October 27, 2026.

Where it applies

29 CFR 1926.451, Scaffolds: General requirements 114 paragraphs use the term. Read the text on eCFR.
29 CFR 1926.452, Additional requirements applicable to specific types of scaffolds 90 paragraphs use the term. Read the text on eCFR.
29 CFR 1926.454, Scaffolds: Training requirements 11 paragraphs use the term. Read the text on eCFR.
29 CFR 1926.450, Scope, application and definitions applicable to this subpart 59 paragraphs use the term.

In the enforcement record

Federal and state-plan agencies issued 43,168 cited violations under 29 CFR 1926.451, Scaffolds: General requirements, from January 2016 through September 10, 2026. The section ranks 5th among the 248 sections of 29 CFR cited at least 50 times. This is the count for the whole section, not for the term alone.

Cairn data, October 2026 snapshot.

See the full record for 29 CFR 1926.451

Related terms

Competent person In construction, someone who can identify existing and predictable hazards and has authorization to take prompt corrective measures.
Guardrail system In construction, a barrier erected to prevent employees from falling to lower levels.
Personal fall arrest system In construction, a system used to arrest an employee in a fall from a working level, made of an anchorage, connectors and a body belt or harness.
Qualified person In construction, someone with a recognized degree, certificate or professional standing, or extensive knowledge, training and experience, who has shown an ability to solve problems on the work.

All terms in the OSHA glossary

Sources

29 CFR 1926.450, Scope, application and definitions applicable to this subpart. eCFR, text as of October 27, 2026.
Cairn data, October 2026 snapshot. Cairn analysis of the OSHA enforcement record.

Written by Cairn, updated October 29, 2026. The quoted text is copied from the sources above. A test compares each quotation with a stored copy of the source, and a separate script compares that copy with the live sources. This page explains the law and is not legal advice.