[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR214.109]

[Page 149-150]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 214--RAILROAD WORKPLACE SAFETY--Table of Contents
 
                Subpart B--Bridge Worker Safety Standards
 
Sec. 214.109  Scaffolding.

    (a) Scaffolding used in connection with railroad bridge maintenance, 
inspection, testing, and construction shall be constructed and 
maintained in

[[Page 150]]

a safe condition and meet the following minimum requirements:
    (1) Each scaffold and scaffold component, except suspension ropes 
and guardrail systems, but including footings and anchorage, shall be 
capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least four 
times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to that scaffold 
or scaffold component.
    (2) Guardrail systems shall be capable of withstanding, without 
failure, a force of at least 200 pounds applied within two inches of the 
top edge, in any outward or downward direction, at any point along the 
top edge.
    (3) Top edge height of toprails, or equivalent guardrail system 
member, shall be 42 inches, plus or minus three inches. Supports shall 
be at intervals not to exceed eight feet. Toeboards shall be a minimum 
of four inches in height.
    (4) Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid 
panels, and equivalent structural members shall be capable of 
withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 150 pounds applied in 
any downward or outward direction at any point along the midrail or 
other member.
    (5) Midrails shall be installed at a height midway between the top 
edge of the guardrail system and the walking/working level.
    (b) Scaffolds shall not be altered or moved while they are occupied. 
This paragraph does not apply to vertical movements of mobile scaffolds 
that are designed to move vertically while occupied.
    (c) An access ladder or equivalent safe access shall be provided.
    (d) All exposed surfaces shall be prepared and cleared to prevent 
injury due to laceration, puncture, tripping, or falling hazard.
    (e) All scaffold design, construction, and repair shall be completed 
by competent individuals trained and knowledgeable about design 
criteria, intended use, structural limitations, and procedures for 
proper repair.
    (f) Manually propelled mobile ladder stands and scaffolds shall 
conform to the following:
    (1) All manually propelled mobile ladder stands and scaffolds shall 
be capable of carrying the design load.
    (2) All ladder stands, scaffolds, and scaffold components shall be 
capable of supporting, without failure, displacement, or settlement, its 
own weight and at least four times the maximum intended load applied or 
transmitted to that ladder stand, scaffold, or scaffold component.
    (3) All exposed surfaces shall be free from sharp edges or burrs.
    (4) The maximum work level height shall not exceed four times the 
minimum or least base dimensions of any mobile ladder stand or scaffold. 
Where the basic mobile unit does not meet this requirement, suitable 
outrigger frames shall be employed to achieve this least base dimension, 
or equivalent provisions shall be made to guy or brace the unit against 
tipping.
    (5) The minimum platform width for any work level shall not be less 
than 20 inches for mobile scaffolds (towers). Ladder stands shall have a 
minimum step width of 16 inches. The steps of ladder stands shall be 
fabricated from slip resistant treads.
    (6) Guardrails and midrails shall conform to the requirements listed 
in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (7) A climbing ladder or stairway shall be provided for proper 
access and egress, and shall be affixed or built into the scaffold and 
so located that in its use it will not have a tendency to tip the 
scaffold.
    (8) Wheels or casters shall be capable of supporting, without 
failure, at least four times the maximum intended load applied or 
transmitted to that component. All scaffold casters shall be provided 
with a positive wheel and/or swivel lock to prevent movement. Ladder 
stands shall have at least two of the four casters and shall be of the 
swivel type.