COLORADO SCAFFOLDING COMPETENT PERSON
CERTIFICATION EXAM QUESTIONS ANDCORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) Q&A 2026
|INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary responsibility of a competent person
on a scaffolding site?
A. Operate scaffold equipment
B. Design scaffold systems
C. Identify hazards and authorize corrective actions
D. Perform welding on scaffold frames
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A competent person must be able to recognize
hazards and has authority to correct them immediately.
2. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L, scaffolds must be
designed by a:
A. General laborer
B. Registered professional engineer when required
C. Site visitor
D. Crane operator
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Certain scaffolds must be designed or approved by a
qualified engineer, especially complex or engineered systems.
,3. What is the minimum load capacity requirement for
scaffolds used in construction?
A. 2 times intended load
B. 3 times intended load
C. 4 times intended load
D. 5 times intended load
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: OSHA requires scaffolds to support at least four
times the maximum intended load.
4. Which of the following is NOT a duty of a competent
person?
A. Inspect scaffolds daily
B. Identify hazards
C. Approve scaffold design changes
D. Perform employee payroll
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Payroll is not related to scaffold safety
responsibilities.
5. A scaffold must be inspected:
A. Weekly only
B. Before each work shift and after any event affecting stability
C. Once per month
D. Only after completion
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA requires inspection before each shift and after
any occurrence that could affect safety.
6. What is the maximum allowable gap between a scaffold
platform and structure?
A. 5 inches
B. 12 inches
C. 14 inches
D. 18 inches
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The gap should not exceed 14 inches unless special
conditions apply.
7. Which is required on all open sides and ends of scaffolds
above 10 feet?
A. Warning tape
B. Guardrails
C. Netting only
D. Paint markings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Guardrails are required to prevent falls.
8. A competent person must have:
, A. OSHA certification card
B. Authority to take prompt corrective action
C. Construction degree
D. Minimum 1 year experience only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Authority is essential for immediate hazard
correction.
9. Which hazard is MOST associated with scaffold collapse?
A. Excessive painting
B. Overloading
C. Proper tagging
D. Use of PPE
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Overloading exceeds design capacity and causes
collapse.
10. What is required before moving a mobile scaffold?
A. Workers remain on scaffold
B. Tools are left in place
C. All personnel must be off scaffold
D. Scaffold is loaded fully
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Moving scaffold while occupied creates a fall hazard.
CERTIFICATION EXAM QUESTIONS ANDCORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) Q&A 2026
|INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary responsibility of a competent person
on a scaffolding site?
A. Operate scaffold equipment
B. Design scaffold systems
C. Identify hazards and authorize corrective actions
D. Perform welding on scaffold frames
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A competent person must be able to recognize
hazards and has authority to correct them immediately.
2. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L, scaffolds must be
designed by a:
A. General laborer
B. Registered professional engineer when required
C. Site visitor
D. Crane operator
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Certain scaffolds must be designed or approved by a
qualified engineer, especially complex or engineered systems.
,3. What is the minimum load capacity requirement for
scaffolds used in construction?
A. 2 times intended load
B. 3 times intended load
C. 4 times intended load
D. 5 times intended load
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: OSHA requires scaffolds to support at least four
times the maximum intended load.
4. Which of the following is NOT a duty of a competent
person?
A. Inspect scaffolds daily
B. Identify hazards
C. Approve scaffold design changes
D. Perform employee payroll
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Payroll is not related to scaffold safety
responsibilities.
5. A scaffold must be inspected:
A. Weekly only
B. Before each work shift and after any event affecting stability
C. Once per month
D. Only after completion
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA requires inspection before each shift and after
any occurrence that could affect safety.
6. What is the maximum allowable gap between a scaffold
platform and structure?
A. 5 inches
B. 12 inches
C. 14 inches
D. 18 inches
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The gap should not exceed 14 inches unless special
conditions apply.
7. Which is required on all open sides and ends of scaffolds
above 10 feet?
A. Warning tape
B. Guardrails
C. Netting only
D. Paint markings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Guardrails are required to prevent falls.
8. A competent person must have:
, A. OSHA certification card
B. Authority to take prompt corrective action
C. Construction degree
D. Minimum 1 year experience only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Authority is essential for immediate hazard
correction.
9. Which hazard is MOST associated with scaffold collapse?
A. Excessive painting
B. Overloading
C. Proper tagging
D. Use of PPE
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Overloading exceeds design capacity and causes
collapse.
10. What is required before moving a mobile scaffold?
A. Workers remain on scaffold
B. Tools are left in place
C. All personnel must be off scaffold
D. Scaffold is loaded fully
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Moving scaffold while occupied creates a fall hazard.
