Beginner’s Guide: Work Platform

There are many types of work platforms: aerial work platforms (such as scissor lifts), scaffolding, or prefabricated, permanently-installed platforms. Which one you choose to use depends on the type of work you plan on doing and the duration of that work. A quick paint job, for instance might be done on scaffolding, while replacing light bulbs throughout a warehouse might be done on a scissor lift. Jobs that require indefinite access to elevated work areas however, are probably better served by a permanently installed, customizable work platform (to be clear, some platforms that are “permanently installed” can still be adjusted to different heights or moved a little bit, while others will be unchangeable once in place). These platforms provide safe, easy access as well as ergonomic positioning for the task at hand. So, what do you need to know about them?

What is Required?

Information on work platforms is going to be found in multiple locations within 29 CFR 1910 Subpart D (Walking and Working Platforms), but there are a few general requirements that hold true:

1. Because we are discussing General Industry situations, rails will be required at 4 feet.  This is the height at which fall protection is required in General Industry (Most likely permanent platforms would not be used in a dynamic construction situation. Instead, scaffolding or lifts would be, and each has their own set of fall protection requirements).
2. The rail must be 42” high, a mid-rail is needed as well as a 4” toe-board.
3. If it takes four or more steps to access the platform, the steps must have rails as well.
4. Access openings must be offset so that somebody cannot step directly into them or must be protected by gates.

While there are many more regulations that apply to a platform’s design and use, these four basics should at least get you going.

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