Maryland Scaffold Erector Certification
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
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1. During the erection of a supported scaffold on a commercial
construction project in Maryland, a scaffold erector notices that the
base plates are resting directly on recently backfilled soil that has
become saturated after heavy rain. The competent person has not yet
inspected the area, but the crew is under pressure to continue work to
meet the project schedule. Which action should the scaffold erector
take FIRST in accordance with OSHA scaffold safety requirements and
accepted erection practices?
A. Continue erection because the scaffold can later be adjusted with screw
jacks
B. Install additional cross braces to compensate for unstable soil conditions
C. Stop erection activities until the foundation is evaluated and stabilized by
a competent person
D. Lay plywood sheets directly over the wet soil and continue erecting the
scaffold
C. Stop erection activities until the foundation is evaluated and stabilized
by a competent person
,A scaffold must be erected on a stable and capable foundation to support
intended loads without settling or displacement. Continuing erection on
unstable saturated soil creates a serious collapse hazard, and OSHA
requires evaluation by a competent person before work proceeds.
2. A Maryland scaffold erection crew is assembling a frame scaffold
adjacent to energized overhead power lines carrying 13.2 kV. The
scaffold materials are metallic, and workers are using long vertical
frames during erection. According to OSHA electrical clearance
requirements, what minimum distance must be maintained between
the scaffold and the energized lines unless the utility company de-
energizes or insulates them?
A. 3 feet
B. 6 feet
C. 10 feet
D. 20 feet
C. 10 feet
For power lines up to 50 kV, OSHA requires scaffolds and conductive
materials to remain at least 10 feet away unless protective measures such
as de-energization or insulation are implemented. This clearance helps
prevent electrocution during scaffold erection activities.
3. A scaffold erector is installing platform planks on a tube-and-coupler
scaffold. One worker suggests using mixed grades of lumber planks
because certified scaffold planks are temporarily unavailable. Which
statement best reflects proper scaffold platform requirements?
A. Mixed lumber grades are acceptable if visually inspected by workers
B. Any plank may be used if supported every 10 feet
C. Scaffold planks must be scaffold-grade or equivalent as recognized by
standards
D. Construction plywood may replace scaffold planks if doubled in thickness
,C. Scaffold planks must be scaffold-grade or equivalent as recognized by
standards
Scaffold platforms must be constructed using materials designed and rated
for scaffold use. Scaffold-grade planks are manufactured and tested to
withstand intended loads and reduce the risk of plank failure during
erection and use.
4. During erection of a supported scaffold exceeding four times its
minimum base width, what stabilization method is required to prevent
overturning?
A. Additional platform planking only
B. Guardrails installed on all sides
C. Tying, guying, bracing, or equivalent means of restraint
D. Use of only steel scaffold planks
C. Tying, guying, bracing, or equivalent means of restraint
Scaffolds with a height-to-base ratio exceeding 4:1 must be restrained
from tipping using ties, guys, braces, or equivalent stabilization systems.
This requirement addresses the increased overturning risk associated with
taller scaffold structures.
5. A scaffold erector climbs the exterior cross braces of a frame scaffold
because access ladders have not yet been installed. Which statement
accurately describes OSHA’s position regarding this practice?
A. Climbing cross braces is acceptable during erection only
B. Cross braces may be used if workers maintain three points of contact
C. Cross braces are not acceptable means of access unless specifically
designed for that purpose
D. Climbing braces is permitted below 20 feet only
C. Cross braces are not acceptable means of access unless specifically
designed for that purpose
, Cross braces are generally not designed for worker access and can create
fall hazards. OSHA requires proper access methods such as ladders, stair
towers, or integrated access systems for scaffold erection and use.
6. While erecting a scaffold during winter conditions in Maryland,
workers observe ice accumulation on platforms and braces. What is
the most appropriate action under OSHA scaffold safety
requirements?
A. Continue erection carefully while wearing rubber boots
B. Remove ice and snow hazards before allowing employees to work on the
scaffold
C. Spread sand over the icy surfaces and proceed immediately
D. Increase the number of workers on the scaffold for stability
B. Remove ice and snow hazards before allowing employees to work on
the scaffold
Ice and snow create significant slip hazards that can lead to falls during
scaffold erection and use. OSHA requires hazardous slippery conditions to
be corrected before employees continue work on the scaffold.
7. During erection of a suspended scaffold system, a worker discovers
that one suspension rope shows signs of fraying and heat damage.
What should occur before the scaffold is used?
A. The rope may remain in service if protected with tape
B. The damaged section should be tied in a knot to shorten the rope
C. The suspension rope must be removed from service and replaced
D. The rope may be used temporarily for light-duty work only
C. The suspension rope must be removed from service and replaced
Damaged suspension ropes compromise scaffold integrity and create a
severe fall and collapse hazard. OSHA requires defective components to be
removed from service immediately and replaced before scaffold use.
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
1. During the erection of a supported scaffold on a commercial
construction project in Maryland, a scaffold erector notices that the
base plates are resting directly on recently backfilled soil that has
become saturated after heavy rain. The competent person has not yet
inspected the area, but the crew is under pressure to continue work to
meet the project schedule. Which action should the scaffold erector
take FIRST in accordance with OSHA scaffold safety requirements and
accepted erection practices?
A. Continue erection because the scaffold can later be adjusted with screw
jacks
B. Install additional cross braces to compensate for unstable soil conditions
C. Stop erection activities until the foundation is evaluated and stabilized by
a competent person
D. Lay plywood sheets directly over the wet soil and continue erecting the
scaffold
C. Stop erection activities until the foundation is evaluated and stabilized
by a competent person
,A scaffold must be erected on a stable and capable foundation to support
intended loads without settling or displacement. Continuing erection on
unstable saturated soil creates a serious collapse hazard, and OSHA
requires evaluation by a competent person before work proceeds.
2. A Maryland scaffold erection crew is assembling a frame scaffold
adjacent to energized overhead power lines carrying 13.2 kV. The
scaffold materials are metallic, and workers are using long vertical
frames during erection. According to OSHA electrical clearance
requirements, what minimum distance must be maintained between
the scaffold and the energized lines unless the utility company de-
energizes or insulates them?
A. 3 feet
B. 6 feet
C. 10 feet
D. 20 feet
C. 10 feet
For power lines up to 50 kV, OSHA requires scaffolds and conductive
materials to remain at least 10 feet away unless protective measures such
as de-energization or insulation are implemented. This clearance helps
prevent electrocution during scaffold erection activities.
3. A scaffold erector is installing platform planks on a tube-and-coupler
scaffold. One worker suggests using mixed grades of lumber planks
because certified scaffold planks are temporarily unavailable. Which
statement best reflects proper scaffold platform requirements?
A. Mixed lumber grades are acceptable if visually inspected by workers
B. Any plank may be used if supported every 10 feet
C. Scaffold planks must be scaffold-grade or equivalent as recognized by
standards
D. Construction plywood may replace scaffold planks if doubled in thickness
,C. Scaffold planks must be scaffold-grade or equivalent as recognized by
standards
Scaffold platforms must be constructed using materials designed and rated
for scaffold use. Scaffold-grade planks are manufactured and tested to
withstand intended loads and reduce the risk of plank failure during
erection and use.
4. During erection of a supported scaffold exceeding four times its
minimum base width, what stabilization method is required to prevent
overturning?
A. Additional platform planking only
B. Guardrails installed on all sides
C. Tying, guying, bracing, or equivalent means of restraint
D. Use of only steel scaffold planks
C. Tying, guying, bracing, or equivalent means of restraint
Scaffolds with a height-to-base ratio exceeding 4:1 must be restrained
from tipping using ties, guys, braces, or equivalent stabilization systems.
This requirement addresses the increased overturning risk associated with
taller scaffold structures.
5. A scaffold erector climbs the exterior cross braces of a frame scaffold
because access ladders have not yet been installed. Which statement
accurately describes OSHA’s position regarding this practice?
A. Climbing cross braces is acceptable during erection only
B. Cross braces may be used if workers maintain three points of contact
C. Cross braces are not acceptable means of access unless specifically
designed for that purpose
D. Climbing braces is permitted below 20 feet only
C. Cross braces are not acceptable means of access unless specifically
designed for that purpose
, Cross braces are generally not designed for worker access and can create
fall hazards. OSHA requires proper access methods such as ladders, stair
towers, or integrated access systems for scaffold erection and use.
6. While erecting a scaffold during winter conditions in Maryland,
workers observe ice accumulation on platforms and braces. What is
the most appropriate action under OSHA scaffold safety
requirements?
A. Continue erection carefully while wearing rubber boots
B. Remove ice and snow hazards before allowing employees to work on the
scaffold
C. Spread sand over the icy surfaces and proceed immediately
D. Increase the number of workers on the scaffold for stability
B. Remove ice and snow hazards before allowing employees to work on
the scaffold
Ice and snow create significant slip hazards that can lead to falls during
scaffold erection and use. OSHA requires hazardous slippery conditions to
be corrected before employees continue work on the scaffold.
7. During erection of a suspended scaffold system, a worker discovers
that one suspension rope shows signs of fraying and heat damage.
What should occur before the scaffold is used?
A. The rope may remain in service if protected with tape
B. The damaged section should be tied in a knot to shorten the rope
C. The suspension rope must be removed from service and replaced
D. The rope may be used temporarily for light-duty work only
C. The suspension rope must be removed from service and replaced
Damaged suspension ropes compromise scaffold integrity and create a
severe fall and collapse hazard. OSHA requires defective components to be
removed from service immediately and replaced before scaffold use.
