Scaffold Per-Leg Load and OSHA 4:1 Check
The load on each scaffold leg and whether it clears the OSHA 4:1 safe working load: total = platform dead + workers x 250 lb + material; leg load = total / legs; SWL = component rating / 4. A bay with two workers, 500 lb of material, and a 100 lb platform puts 275 lb on each of four legs - fine against a frame rated 2,500 lb, but load it heavier and it crosses the 4:1 line. Feeds scaffold-mudsill-bearing; a competent person verifies.
Formula and source
total_load_lb = platform_dead_lb + num_workers x worker_lb + material_lb; leg_load_lb = total_load_lb / n_legs; swl_lb = component_rating_lb / 4; pass = leg_load_lb <= swl_lb.
OSHA capacity rule by name (safe working load = rating / 4; leg load = total intended load / legs); first-principles load distribution.
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