Final answer:
The scaffold must be able to support its own weight and four times the maximum load.
Step-by-step explanation:
The platform of a scaffold must be capable of supporting not only its weight but also a certain multiple of the maximum load it's intended to carry. This takes into account the potential variability in the load faced by the scaffold during its use. According to most standards, this multiplier is 4 (option d).
This requirement is primarily founded in safety considerations and is intended to significantly reduce the risk of scaffold failure. For example, if a scaffold platform weighs 200 kg and is designed to carry a maximum load of 400 kg, it should be capable of supporting 200 kg (its own weight) + 4*400 kg (the maximum load times four), for a total of 1800 kg.
Learn more about Scaffold Load Capacity