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Quizzes > General Knowledge & Mixed

Scaffolding Test: Practice Safety Standards and Hazard Checks

Quick, free quiz with 15 scaffolding safety questions. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Krittika SinghUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting a scaffolding safety certification quiz.

This scaffolding test helps you check safety rules, spot hazards, and prepare for certification. Answer 15 quick questions, get instant results, and see what to review before you step on a platform. For related practice, try the construction site safety quiz, the contractor safety orientation quiz, or the rigging and hoisting quiz.

What is the primary hazard when scaffold platforms are not level?
Electrocution
Falls from height
Noise exposure
Chemical exposure
Uneven or unlevel scaffold platforms significantly increase the risk of falls from height since workers can easily lose balance. Falls are the most common hazard on improperly leveled scaffolds.
According to OSHA standards, what is the required height for a scaffold top guardrail above the platform?
36 inches
24 inches
42 inches
48 inches
OSHA specifies that the top guardrail on a scaffold must be installed at a nominal height of 42 inches above the work platform. This height provides adequate protection against falls.
Which component serves as the working surface on a supported scaffold?
Guardrails
Planks
Toe boards
Couplers
Scaffold planks are the boards laid across ledgers or frames to create the working surface. They must be of specified grade and strength to support workers and materials.
Who must inspect scaffolding before use?
A trained employee
A safety officer
A competent person
The equipment supplier
OSHA requires that a competent person - someone qualified to identify hazards - inspect scaffolding before each work shift. This inspection ensures early detection of defects or unsafe conditions.
What is the minimum height of a toe board on a scaffold platform?
6 inches
8 inches
2 inches
4 inches
OSHA mandates that toe boards be at least 4 inches high to prevent materials and tools from falling off the platform. This helps protect workers below from falling objects.
What load capacity in pounds per square foot defines a medium-duty supported scaffold?
75 psf
100 psf
50 psf
25 psf
Scaffolds are classified by load capacity; a medium-duty scaffold is designed to support a uniform load of 50 pounds per square foot. This classification balances worker load and materials safely.
At what maximum horizontal interval must a supported scaffold be tied to the adjacent structure for stability?
40 feet
30 feet
20 feet
50 feet
OSHA requires supported scaffolds to be secured to the structure at intervals not exceeding 30 feet horizontally. Proper tie-in frequency prevents sway and potential collapse.
What minimum strength must an anchor point provide for a personal fall arrest system on a scaffold?
10,000 pounds
5,000 pounds
2,000 pounds
1,000 pounds
OSHA standards require fall arrest anchor points to support at least 5,000 pounds per attached worker. This ensures the system can withstand the forces generated in a fall.
Scaffold platform planks should extend beyond their end supports by how many inches?
12 - 18 inches
4 - 6 inches
0 - 3 inches
6 - 12 inches
OSHA specifies that platform planks must extend 6 to 12 inches beyond the support to prevent tipping. Extensions less than or greater than this range can create instability hazards.
What component is installed first when assembling a supported scaffold?
Guardrails
Cross braces
Planks
Base plates and mud sills
Assembly begins with base plates and mud sills to provide a stable foundation. Proper base support is critical for overall scaffold stability and load distribution.
Which action is most likely to cause a supported scaffold to tip over?
Installing guardrails
Using base plates
Securing to the structure
Uneven loading on one side
Loading one side of the scaffold unevenly shifts the center of gravity, increasing the risk of tipping. Even load distribution is essential for stability.
Which factor primarily affects scaffold structural stability in high wind conditions?
Plank thickness
Wind speed
Weight of tools
Worker movement
Wind speed generates lateral forces that can cause scaffolds to sway or collapse if not properly restrained. Design and tie-in procedures address these wind loads explicitly.
What is the main purpose of cross-bracing on a scaffold?
Increase load capacity
Provide lateral stability
Mount guardrails
Support planks
Cross-braces connect vertical members diagonally, resisting lateral forces and preventing scaffold sway. They are essential for maintaining structural integrity under side loads.
According to OSHA, what is the maximum allowable gap between a scaffold platform and the adjacent structure?
0.5 inch
1 inch
2 inches
3 inches
OSHA limits the gap between the scaffold platform and structure to 1 inch to prevent workers from slipping or tools from falling through. Larger gaps present serious trip and fall hazards.
When dismantling a supported scaffold, in what sequence should components be removed?
Remove base plates first
Top to bottom
Remove planks then guards then braces
Bottom to top
Scaffolding must be dismantled in reverse order of assembly, starting from the top. This prevents unexpected load shifts and maintains stability during teardown.
Which site characteristic is critical in determining the need for mud sills under scaffold base plates?
Plank thickness
Wind speed
Soil bearing capacity
Guardrail height
Mud sills are required when base plate pressure exceeds the soil's bearing capacity. Knowing the soil bearing capacity ensures the scaffold foundation will not settle or tilt under load.
According to ANSI standards, a scaffold's top guardrail must withstand a horizontal load of at least how many pounds?
150 pounds
100 pounds
200 pounds
250 pounds
ANSI specifies that top guardrails must resist at least 200 pounds of force applied horizontally. This ensures adequate protection against accidental pushes or falls.
For a suspended scaffold operating at heights above 10 feet, which fall protection system is mandatory?
Guardrails
Personal fall arrest system
Safety nets
Warning line system
Suspended scaffolds above 10 feet require personal fall arrest systems for each worker. Guardrails and warning lines are insufficient on suspended platforms according to OSHA.
What is the minimum OSHA-required clearance between uninsulated power lines (up to 50 kV) and scaffold platforms?
5 feet
10 feet
15 feet
20 feet
OSHA mandates a minimum 10-foot clearance from uninsulated power lines up to 50 kV. This separation prevents electrical arcing and reduces electrocution risk.
A scaffold platform measures 10 feet by 2 feet and is rated for 50 psf. What is the maximum number of 200-pound workers allowed on it simultaneously?
2
3
5
10
The platform area is 20 sq ft, so at 50 psf it supports 1,000 pounds. Dividing 1,000 pounds by 200 pounds per worker yields a maximum of five workers on the platform.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify key hazards associated with scaffolding setup and use.
  2. Evaluate compliance with industry safety standards and regulations.
  3. Demonstrate proper assembly and dismantling procedures for scaffolds.
  4. Apply fall protection strategies and equipment selection guidelines.
  5. Interpret load capacity requirements and structural stability factors.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Spot Scaffolding Hazards - Recognize common dangers like slippery platforms, unstable planks, and falling debris to keep accidents at bay. Consistent hazard checks mean you can scaffold with confidence, not caution!
  2. Master OSHA Scaffold Standards - Dive into federal rules on how to design, build, and use scaffolds safely - follow these to the letter and you're golden. Staying compliant means less paperwork and more peace of mind.
  3. Assemble and Dismantle Correctly - Learn the step-by-step magic of putting up and taking down scaffolds without surprises or slip-ups. Proper technique saves time and prevents oops moments - practice makes perfect!
  4. Deploy Fall Protection - Gear up with guardrails, harnesses, and nets that catch you when gravity isn't your friend. Choosing the right safety gear turns a scary drop into just another piece of your toolkit.
  5. Calculate Load Capacity - Crunch the numbers so your scaffold can hold up people, tools, and materials without sagging - or worse. Knowing your weight limits means you can build up safely, not break down unexpectedly.
  6. Conduct Regular Inspections - Inspect before each shift and after any incident to catch loose planks, bent frames, or missing parts. A quick checklist today keeps big repairs (and bigger risks) away tomorrow!
  7. Invest in Training and Certification - Hands-on practice and official courses turn novices into scaffold-savvy pros. With top-notch training, everyone on the team speaks the same safety language.
  8. Manage Environmental Risks - Wind, rain, and stray wires can turn a steady scaffold into a wobbly trap - plan for Mother Nature and power lines. Smart scheduling and protective measures keep your scaffold standing strong in any weather.
  9. Know Your Scaffold Types - Supported, suspended, and mobile scaffolds each have their own setup and safety quirks - pick your platform like you pick your favorite tool. Matching the right scaffold to the task boosts efficiency and cuts hazards.
  10. Communicate and Coordinate - Good scaffold safety is a team sport - clear signals, handshakes, and radio check-ins keep everyone in sync. When the crew works together, even the tallest scaffold feels like solid ground.
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