who is responsible for inspecting the scaffold and its components before every work shift?

The person responsible for inspecting the scaffold and its components before every work shift is a "competent person" as defined by OSHA. This competent person is trained and qualified to identify visible defects and hazards in the scaffold and has the authority to take corrective measures to eliminate safety risks. The inspection must include checking all scaffold components for damage or safety issues, and the scaffold cannot be used if any problems are found until they are fixed. This inspection also must be done after any event that could affect the scaffold's structural integrity, such as severe weather or heavy loads.