Article 2. Scaffolding of California Labor Code >> Division 5. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 2.

As used in this article, "scaffolding" includes scaffolding and staging.

If the working platform of any scaffolding swung or suspended from an overhead support is more than 10 feet above the ground, floor or area to which an employee on the scaffolding might fall, it shall have a safety rail of wood or other equally rigid material of adequate strength. The rail shall comply with the applicable orders of the Division of Occupational Safety and Health. Suspended scaffolding shall be fastened so as to prevent the scaffolding from swaying from the building, or structure, or other object being worked on from the scaffolding. All parts of the scaffolding shall be of sufficient strength to support, bear, or withstand with safety any weight of persons, tools, appliances, or materials which might reasonably be placed on it or which are to be supported by it.

In addition to the duties imposed by any law regulating or relating to scaffolding, an employer who uses or permits the use of scaffolding described in Section 7151 in connection with construction, alteration, repairing, painting, cleaning or doing of any work upon any building or structure, shall:
  (a) Furnish safety lines to tie all hooks and hangers back on the roof of such building or structure.
  (b) Provide safety lines hanging from the roof, securely tied thereto, for all swinging scaffolds which rely upon stirrups of the single point suspension type to support the working platform. One such line shall be provided for each workman with a minimum of one line between each pair of hangers or falls. The standards board may adopt occupational safety and health standards different from the requirements of this section or grant variances from these requirements if the standards or variances provide equivalent or superior safety for employees.

Platforms or floors of such scaffolding shall be not less than 14 inches in width and shall be free from knots or fractures impairing their strength.

The use of lean-to scaffolds, sometimes known as jack scaffolds, as support for scaffolds is hereby prohibited.

Violation of any provision of section 7151 to 7154 inclusive is a misdemeanor.

Any person employing or directing another to do or perform any labor in the construction, alteration, repairing, painting, or cleaning of any house, building, or structure within this state is guilty of a misdemeanor who does any of the following:
  (a) Knowingly or negligently furnishes or erects, or causes to be furnished or erected for the performance of that labor, unsafe or improper scaffolding, slings, hammers, blocks, pulleys, stays, braces, ladders, irons, ropes, or other mechanical contrivances.
  (b) Hinders or obstructs any officer or inspector of the Division of Occupational Safety and Health attempting to inspect such equipment under the provisions of this article or any law or safety order of this state.
  (c) Destroys or defaces, or removes any notice posted thereon by any division officer or inspector, or permits the use thereof, after the equipment has been declared unsafe by the officer or inspector.

The division may make and enforce safety orders in the manner prescribed by law, to supplement and carry into effect the purposes and provisions of this article.

The division shall enforce the provisions of this article.