CSLB General Building (B)SafetyEasy
A contractor is preparing to use a ladder jack scaffold. Which of the following is a Cal/OSHA requirement for the planks used on this type of scaffold?
- APlanks must be at least 10 inches wide.
- BPlanks must be secured to prevent accidental displacement.
- CPlanks must be made of metal only.
- DPlanks must extend a minimum of 18 inches beyond the support.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Planks must be secured to prevent accidental displacement.
According to Cal/OSHA, all scaffold planks, including those on ladder jack scaffolds, must be secured to prevent accidental displacement. This is a fundamental safety requirement for all scaffold platforms.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While plank width is important, 10 inches is not a universal minimum for all scaffold types and may not apply here.
- C. Scaffold planks can be made of wood, metal, or fabricated planks, not metal only.
- D. The minimum overhang for planks is typically 6 inches, not 18 inches, unless secured otherwise.
Scaffold Plank Security
Cal/OSHA requires that all scaffold planks be secured to prevent accidental displacement, regardless of scaffold type.
- Applies to all scaffold platforms.
- Prevents planks from shifting or falling.
- Ensures a stable working surface.
Memory trick: Planks must be 'Secured, Overhanging, and Strong'.