OSHA 30 Hour Construction Program Practice Test

What type of scaffold can include a platform that lacks rigid lateral supports?

1. Suspended scaffold

2. Float scaffold

3. Sheeting scaffold

4. Scissor lift

The correct answer is: Float scaffold

A float scaffold is characterized by its capacity to provide a working platform that is not physically secured to a structure, allowing it to be flexible and able to move with construction activities. This type of scaffold typically relies on platforms that can be adjusted or repositioned, which might not include rigid lateral supports as seen in more permanent or static scaffold designs. In contrast, suspended scaffolds are usually supported from above and often have substantial lateral support systems. Sheeting scaffolds are used for covering areas and usually involve more robust structures with supports. Scissor lifts, while useful for elevating workers and equipment, are mechanical devices rather than traditional scaffolds, and they don't offer a platform in the same context as scaffolding. Thus, the unique feature of float scaffolds is their inherent design, which allows for platforms without rigid lateral supports, making them suitable for specific construction tasks that require mobility and flexibility.