Scaffold safety from top to bottom

You might want to take a deep breath before reading the official definition of scaffolding as stated in SARNZ Best Practice Guideline for Scaffolding in New Zealand.

“Any structure or framework, swinging stage, suspended scaffolding, or boatswain’s chair, of a temporary nature, used or intended to be used for the support or protection of workers for the purpose of carrying out construction work, or for the support of materials used in connection with any such work”.

That covers quite a lot! This includes “any scaffolding erected as such and not dismantled, whether or not it is being used as scaffolding”, as well as “any plank, coupling, fastening, fitting, equipment, item or device used in connection with the construction, erection, dismantling or use of scaffolding”. 

HSE Regulation 22 states that all employers must ensure, where any construction work cannot be carried out safely without the use of scaffolding, that scaffolding is provided which is suitable, properly designed and constructed, in sufficient amount for the purpose for which it is to be used.

To ensure you have the right scaffolding in place for the job, and that it is safely set-up, familiarise yourself with the points set out below.

What are the hazards?

• Falls from height while erecting/altering/dismantling/working from scaffolds
• Falling objects while erecting/altering/dismantling/working from scaffolds.
• Subsidence or collapse of the supporting surface or structure
• Collapse of the scaffold structure
• Inappropriate access/egress to the work platforms and workface
• Inappropriate load rating (eg light-duty scaffold being used for a heavy-duty task).
• Excessive work or environmental loadings (eg wind or snow)
• Impact of plant and machinery (eg cranes and excavators).
• Contact with overhead powerlines.
• Manual handling.

What controls must be in place?

Compliance

• All persons erecting/altering/dismantling scaffolding to be trained and competent
• Scaffolds over 5m, all suspended scaffolds and all special scaffolds to be erected/altered/dismantled by a person holding the appropriate Certificate of Competency.
• All scaffolds supplied to a third party for commercial use to be tagged or similar (eg a handover certificate) for the client.
• Scaffolds over 5m, all suspended scaffolds, and all special scaffolds must be notified to MBIE and a scaffold register kept on site.
• Inspections of scaffolds must be performed weekly (daily for suspended scaffolds) and recorded on tags and registers.
• A task analysis must be carried out prior to scaffolding activity to ensure all safety issues have been identified and controls planned

Scaffolding safety

• The scaffolding process must include some means of fall prevention or protection. Methods may include construction of parts of scaffold on ground (and crane into position), use of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), progressive forward installation of guardrails, advance guardrail systems, or harness use.
• Minimum PPE for scaffolders is safety helmet, fall arrest harness and safety boots. Additionally gloves, eye and noise protection, and high-vis clothing may be required.
• Scaffolds must not be erected closer than 4 m to powerlines, unless a permit is obtained from the line owner.

Foundations

• Ground conditions for support of scaffolds must be firm and level. Other supporting structures to be verified as adequate to support scaffold load (an engineer may need to be consulted).
• Baseplates are required under all standards
• Soleboards of sufficient strength and dimensions may be required to spread loading under baseplates in softer ground conditions.
• Mobile scaffolds must only be used on hard, level surfaces.

Access

• Scaffold platforms are to be accessed via ladders, stairs or bridges/walkways from the adjacent structure
• The bottom two lifts (up to a top lift height of 5.1 m) may be accessed by external ladder. Transition from ladder to work platform must be through a self-closing gate installed in the guardrails.
• All other means of access must be installed within the scaffold structure
• All access voids and openings in platforms must be protected by trapdoor cover, guardrail and gate, or other suitable means – refer to SARNZ Best Practice Guideline for Scaffolding in New Zealand.

Structural stability

• The scaffold structure must be of sound design, including provision of adequate ties, bracing, outriggers or rakers and suspended scaffold suspension rigs.
• All prefabricated scaffolds must be erected to the manufacturers’ assembly instructions.
• Free-standing scaffolds (including mobile scaffolds) must not exceed a 3:1 height to base width ratio

Scaffold platforms

• Scaffold platforms must be decked the full width of the scaffold structure and no further than 300 mm from the workface – if greater, then either inside planks or internal guardrails should be fitted.
• Scaffold users must keep loads within the duty rating of the scaffold platform – ie light-duty, medium-duty, heavy-duty or special-duty. Additionally, some special-duty scaffolds require the design to be checked by a chartered engineer.
• Ensure 450 mm of clear passage is maintained on work platforms. Do not stack materials too high, and stack near standards as opposed to centre of bays

Edge protection

• Guardrails, including mid-rails, must be provided on the exposed sides and ends of all working platforms. 
• The height to the top of the guardrail must not be less than 0.9 m or more than 1.1 m from the deck to be protected.
• Where guardrails are removed to facilitate loading, they must be replaced immediately (consider purpose-built loading bays).
• Containment screening may be provided for safety and environmental purposes to contain dust and debris caused in work activities such as demolition. Toeboards must still be fitted to screened scaffolds. 

SITESAFE

Site Safe NZ Inc is a not for profit, industry led organisation, that promotes a culture of safety in the New Zealand construction and related industries.For more information about Site Safe NZ Inc, our products and services, or to speak to a Safety Advisor, contact us on 0800 SITE SAFE or visit www.sitesafe.org.nz.