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Guardrails for single-pole scaffold (light-duty)

Falls from scaffolds are one of the leading causes of injuries to construction workers in British Columbia.
All scaffolds 3 m (10 ft.) or more above grade must have standard guardrails on their open side.
A standard guard consists of:
• A top rail approximately 1.1 m (42 in.) above the platform
• An intermediate rail centred at approximately the midpoint of the space between the underside of the top rail
and the upper edge of the platform
• Vertical guardrail supports spaced not more than 3 m (10 ft.) apart for wooden scaffolding
Standard guardrails must be designed to withstand a static load of 550 N (125 lb.) applied laterally at any point
of the top rail.

Top rail
2" x 4" or 2" x 6"

1.1 m
(42") Intermediate rail
2" x 4"

0 ft.)
m 3 m (1
Maximu supports
n
b e t we e

Page 1 of 2 Workers’ Compensation Board of B.C.

Project:_______________________________ Address:________________________________________
Employer:_________________________________ Supervisor:_ __________________________________
Date:_ __________________ Time:_____________ Shift:___________________________________
Number in crew: _ ______________________ Number attending: _ ______________________________

Other safety issues or suggestions made by crew members:

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Record of those attending:

Name: (please print) Signature: Company:
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Manager’s remarks: _ _______________________________________________________________

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Manager:______________________________ Supervisor:__________________________________
(signature) (signature)

Page 2 of 2 WorkSafeBC Prevention Information Line: 604 276-3100 or toll-free 1 888 621-SAFE (7233) TG 06-35