Safe Work Procedure
HSEMS Level-3
document
SCAFFOLDING
STS/HSE/ SWP-002. Issue-2, Revision-0
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SCAFFOLDING
Safe work procedure
REVISION RECORD AND APPROVAL
Revision status
Date of Approval
Salient changes and reasons for change
0
1st January, 2019
New issue. The structure of documentation is changed. Lessons learned from
incidents and latest known requirements incorporated.
Prepared by
Reviewed by
Reviewed by
Approved by
Name
Biswajit Chatterjee
Avinash Bhagwatkar
Anthony G Fleming
Rejeesh Mani
Designation
HSE Manager
Group HSE Manager
Head of Scaffolding Dept
CEO
Signature
Document no. STS/HSE/SWP-002
Issue-02, Revision-0
1st January, 2019
Page 1 of 24
SCAFFOLDING
Safe work procedure
INDEX
Section
Particulars
Page No.
01.0
PURPOSE ................................................................................................................................................................. 3
02.0
SCOPE ..................................................................................................................................................................... 3
03.0
DEFINITIONS ........................................................................................................................................................... 3
04.0
RASCI (Responsibility, Accountability, Support, Consultation, Information) ........................................................... 4
05.0
RISK AND OPPORTUNITY INFORMATION ................................................................................................................ 4
06.0
ASSOCIATED COMMON HAZARDS WITH THE JOB................................................................................................... 4
07.0
RECOMMENDED HSE COMPETENCY PROFILE FOR THE JOB.................................................................................... 6
08.0
FORMATS ................................................................................................................................................................ 6
09.0
LINKED DOCUMENTS .............................................................................................................................................. 6
10.0
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................................................... 6
11.0
OPERATIONAL CONTROLS ....................................................................................................................................... 7
Document no. STS/HSE/SWP-002
Issue-02, Revision-0
1st January, 2019
Page 2 of 24
SCAFFOLDING
01.0
Safe work procedure
PURPOSE
To ensure safe erection, use, dismantling, and storage of scaffolding in company operations.
02.0
SCOPE
This procedure applies to all employees and subcontractors involved in STS operations and facilities where scaffoldings are
being used for construction or are being stored. All requirements must be met prior to commencing any scaffolding erection
work. Where applicable, this procedure will be used in conjunction with Client’s HSE requirements.
03.0
DEFINITIONS
Scaffold
Any temporary elevated platform and its necessary vertical, diagonal, and horizontal members used to
support workers and materials (also known as a scaffold tower)
Supported
Scaffold
A Supported Scaffold has one or more platforms that are supported by outrigger beams, brackets, poles,
legs, uprights, posts, frames, or similar rigid support.
Mobile Scaffold
A powered or non-powered, portable, caster or wheel-mounted supported scaffold
Aluminum
scaffold
A temporary scaffold structure made of aluminum alloy to raise and support workers (or one worker),
required materials, and equipment.
Tube and
Coupler Scaffold
A supported or suspended scaffold consisting of a platform(s) supported by tubing, erected with coupling
devices connecting uprights, braces, bearers, and runners.
System Scaffold
A scaffold consisting of posts with fixed connection points that accept runners, bearers, and diagonals that
can be interconnected at predetermined levels.
Competent
Person
One who has relevant experience in the occupation category and is capable of identifying existing and
predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are hazardous or dangerous to
employees, and who has authorization from project/ facility management to take prompt corrective
measures to eliminate them.
Standard
A vertical or near vertical tube.
Transoms
Transoms are placed on top of ledgers at a right angle to provide support for standards by holding them
in position as well as supporting boards.
Ledger
Scaffold tube normally positioned horizontally in the direction of the larger direction of the scaffold.
Brace
A tube placed diagonally with respect to the vertical or horizontal members of a scaffold and fixed to
them for stability
Document no. STS/HSE/SWP-002
Issue-02, Revision-0
1st January, 2019
Page 3 of 24
SCAFFOLDING
04.0
RASCI (Responsibility, Accountability, Support, Consultation, Information)
Critical Tasks
05.0
06.0
Safe work procedure
CM/SM
PA
HSEA
SUP
SCA
Provide adequate equipment, manpower and other resources
Apply for permit/ decide scaffolding procedure after thorough inspection of
site
Obtain detail information about loads to be handled on the scaffold
Obtain permit/ finalize procedure and evaluate all conditions for
compliance
A
S
S
R
I
A
R
S
S
I
A
R
S
R
R
A
R
S
R
I
Comply with the Safe Work Procedure steps mentioned therein
A
S
R
R
R
Carry out dynamic risk assessment if surrounding conditions change
A
S
S
R
R
Provide constant supervision of the job
A
I
S
R
CM - Construction Manager, SM - Site Manager, PA - Permit Applicant, HSEA - HSE Advisor, SUP - Supervisor,
SCA - Scaffolder
R
RISK AND OPPORTUNITY INFORMATION
Risk and Opportunity
assessment reference
Risk and Opportunity Assessment STS/HSE/RR-01 (Civil C-14)
Opportunities for
improvement identified
Reduction of cases involving fall of materials, tools, scaffold components during
handling, erection, use and dismantling of scaffolds
ASSOCIATED COMMON HAZARDS WITH THE JOB
Sl.
No.
Hazard scenarios
Critical controls
1
Fall of materials, tools etc.
Toe board, tied tools,
housekeeping, dropped object
awareness and procedure
2
Scaffold collapse
Safe design and scaffold
erection procedure, trained
scaffolder, load calculations,
adequate support, overload
protection, no work during
storm or high wind, safe
dismantling, use of Scaff-tags
Document no. STS/HSE/SWP-002
Issue-02, Revision-0
Photographs
1st January, 2019
Page 4 of 24
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3
Scaffold component failure
Frequent inspection of all
scaffold components,
Segregation of defective items
and quarantine, approved
repair procedure. Get
procedure approved in each
case.
4
Fall of person
Fall protection arrangements,
Lifelines, PPEs, proper access,
egress ladder and landing
platforms, guard rails
5
Fall of scaffold components
during erection,
dismantling
Erection & Dismantling
procedure, manual handling
procedure, communication
protocol, use of rope and
pulley for tying and vertical
movement of components
6
Electrocution
Use of safe distance
guidelines, 110V lighting,
Grounding, ELCB, Proper cable
routing
6
Vertigo, other emergency
while working at height
Medical checkup, verification
of case history, emergency
rescue arrangement
Document no. STS/HSE/SWP-002
Issue-02, Revision-0
Safe work procedure
1st January, 2019
Page 5 of 24
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07.0
Safe work procedure
RECOMMENDED HSE COMPETENCY PROFILE FOR THE JOB
Level of competency
Area of Competency
Awareness
Knowledge
Skill
Scaffold design
Scaffold Erection
Scaffold inspection
Safe rigging & lifting
Electrical safety
Tool Box talk
Job safety analysis
Equipment & tool safety
Work at height
Safe material handling
Dynamic risk assessment
Safe work procedures
08.0
FORMATS
STS-SOP-HS-1909/ F-01
09.0
LINKED DOCUMENTS
STS-SOP-HS-1907
STS-DPR-HS-1909
SG-6
TG 20
10.0
Scaffold Inspection Report
Work Near Electrical Over Head Line
High Risk Activity Procedure
Manual handling guidelines
Operational Guide
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
Ministerial Decision No.286/2008
Document no. STS/HSE/SWP-002
Regulations for OSH for Establishments Governed by Labor Law
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11.0
Step
no.
Safe work procedure
OPERATIONAL CONTROLS
Process key steps
Responsibilities
Pictorial view
Links
CM
SUP
HSEA
SCA
HLP
CM
SUP
HSEA
SCA
HLP
SUP
HSEA
SCA
HLP
General
01
Get all PPEs required for the job.
It will normally include the following:
Hardhat, Boots, Gloves, High Visibility Vest, Safety
Harness & Fall Arrest Equipment (Only if trained and
authorized), Eye Protection, Hearing Protection
(Where required), Coveralls, Breathing Apparatus
(where required, only if trained and authorized)
CM
02
Follow manual handling good practices to shift
scaffolding components manually.
The handling actions of lifting, pushing, pulling or
holding are included and may be carried out directly
or indirectly via ropes, levers or handling aids.
SG-6
Support loads by hands or other parts of the body
e.g. shoulders.
Poor posture such as ‘stooping’ when lifting shall be
avoided; it greatly increases the chance of back
injury.
The kinetic methods of lifting shall be used to
enable the worker to make full use of the body’s
own weight and momentum to initiate the lift.
The natural shape of the spine must be maintained
throughout and the lift is powered by the strong leg
and thigh muscles.
The arms shall be as close to the body as possible.
Whenever possible, one hand shall be below the
load, with most of the weight being taken by the
palm and roots of the fingers. When handling
scaffold materials scaffolders shall wear gloves at all
times.
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CM
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CM
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Both the feet shall be kept apart, it is essential that
the feet are placed so that a good balance is
maintained throughout the lift.
Manual handling procedure shall be followed for
movement of scaffold components safely between
lifts. Communication protocols shall be followed
during inter-lift passing of components (e.g. shouting
“safe” after getting proper hold).
A vertical line shall be followed for transferring
materials to lower or higher levels and an area 1.5
sft. surrounding this line shall be considered “line of
fire”.
03
Ensure availability of certified scaffolders and
scaffold inspectors.
Only employ people with the necessary experience
and competence.
Training forms an essential part of this process and it
is essential that Scaffolders and others concerned
with the assembly and use of scaffolds have formal
training in their specific jobs that includes
familiarization with local requirements and codes of
practice.
Training for Scaffolders shall also include a general
awareness about working at height and the hazards
involved in doing this, over and above those
associated with scaffolding.
04
Prepare method statement for scaffolding erection
and dismantling if required by client. Get it
approved.
Detailing exactly how the work operation is to be
carried out in a manner which is safe and
minimised risk.
Prepare the method statement in a way that records
the hazards involved in specific work at height, tasks
and communicating the risk and precautions
required to all those involved in the work.
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Issue-02, Revision-0
1st January, 2019
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05
Process key steps
Safe work procedure
Responsibilities
Pictorial view
CM
SUP
HSEA
SCA
Links
HLP
Develop Rescue plan and get it approved.
Emergency
response
plan
Rescue Options – Rescue Plan
Look at the following options available to carry out
an effective rescue:

Can a person be rescued by using
Mechanical rescue equipment?

Can Colleagues rescue by pulling Him
into/onto scaffold platform?

Can a ladder be used to carry out rescue?
Can rope rescue be used to get “faller” to ground?
Scaffold components (materials & erection fitment)
06
Select and inspect Scaffold tubes.
CM
SUP
HSEA
SCA
HLP
CM
SUP
HSEA
SCA
HLP
Following defective tubes are
Unacceptable
Approved Tubes shall be in accordance with BS EN
39:2001 ‘Specification for tubes for use in
scaffolding’.
The following types of tube to be used:
BS EN 39 type 4 (4 mm) galvanized steel tubes or
equivalent.
High-tensile galvanized steel tubes with a diameter
of 48.3mm, thickness of 3.2mm, in accordance with
BS EN 10210-1.
07
Select and inspect scaffold boards.
Boards shall comply with BS 2482 ‘Specification for
Timber Scaffold Boards’. This identifies the types of
wood which may be used in the manufacture of
scaffold boards and recommends a method of
testing to assess their bending strength.
The most common size for a scaffolding board is: 225
x 38mm x 3.9m.
Laminated veneer boards and plastic boards can be
used to erect TG20 compliant scaffolding provided
the target span quoted by the manufacturer is at
least 1.2m and the unit weight does not exceed that
of a 38mm timber scaffolding board.
Faulty boards as shown, shall not be used.
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Issue-02, Revision-0
1st January, 2019
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08
Check the Base Plates and place on suitable surface.
Safe work procedure
Responsibilities
Pictorial view
Links
CM
SUP
HSEA
SCA
HLP
CM
SUP
HSEA
SCA
HLP
Base plates shall measure at least 150 mm x150 mm.
If the base plate is made from mild steel it shall be at
least 5 mm thick. If made from other material then it
must be thick enough to be capable of distributing
the required load. The shank must be at least 50 mm
high.
Base plates must always be used on surfaces such as
pavements, hard asphalt and timber flooring.
On soft surfaces and any type of flooring or paving
which could be penetrated by an upright with a base
plate beneath it, or if there is doubt about the
surface, there shall be a further spreading of the
load by a sole board of timber or other suitable
material.
09
Ensure that the Standards conform to the
following.
Measure the vertical intervals at which standards are
linked to one another, i.e. the lift height and
maintain in accordance with the requirements of the
design.
Standards shall be plumb to within 20 mm in 2 m
(subject to a maximum total deviation of 50 mm).
Any joints in standards shall be staggered. Joints in
standards of access scaffolds tied to a building may
be made with either joint pins or sleeve couplers.
These types of coupler have limited load capacity in
tension.
Standard
In scaffolds which are free standing or projecting
above the level of a building or otherwise subject to
forces which would produce tension in the uprights,
the standards shall be joined in a manner capable of
resisting the applied tension.
No more than three out of four standards at the
corner of any bay shall have joints in the same lift, if
there are four joints in the same lift, one of these
must be spliced with a short length of tube.
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Issue-02, Revision-0
1st January, 2019
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10
Process key steps
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Responsibilities
Pictorial view
Links
CM
SUP
HSEA
SCA
HLP
CM
SUP
HSEA
SCA
HLP
CM
SUP
HSEA
SCA
HLP
Ensure correct fitment of Ledgers
Ledgers shall be horizontal to within 20mm in 2m
(subject to a maximum total deviation of 50 mm)
and fixed with right angle couplers. (The spans
between standards is called a bay.)
Joints in ledgers shall be made with sleeve couplers.
Joints in ledgers on the same lift and in adjacent lifts
shall not normally occur in the same bay. However,
when guard rails are to remain permanently in place,
the absence of a joint in the guard rail may be
accepted as giving sufficient continuity to the
scaffold to permit joints in the ledgers above and
below it in the same bay.
11
Use of Transoms
Board transoms shall be placed along the ledgers to
provide supports for the working platforms and shall
be generally fixed with putlog couplers.
The transoms at un-boarded lifts will normally be
arranged at the same positions as the boarded
platforms.
Transom tubes shall be sufficiently long to allow a
minimum projection of 25 mm beyond the couplers.
12
Ledger bracing fitment
Independent tied access scaffolding shall contain
ledger bracing, generally on alternate pairs of
standards within 300 mm of node point.
Any pairs of standards which are ledger braced shall
be made into a continuous series of triangles. In all
cases the ends of the standards shall be ledger
braced.
Sway/ Facade bracing fitment
Sway bracing shall be provided to all scaffolds to
prevent movement along the facade of the building.
One such brace assembly shall be provided on every
face at intervals along the scaffold not exceeding 1
brace per 6 bays and set between 35 – 55 deg. to the
horizontal.
Document no. STS/HSE/SWP-002
Façade bracing
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1st January, 2019
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CM
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SUP
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It need not be fixed where the scaffold is securely
butted between opposing outside or inside faces of
returns or recesses, provided that no length greater
than 6 bays is so fixed against movement in both
directions.
13
Decide location, type and number of scaffold Ties.
Ties shall be used for the following two reasons.
1) To restrain the scaffolding standards in a vertical
position so they can carry the weight of the
structure, boards, personnel and materials without
buckling.
2) To prevent movement of the scaffold away from
the façade.
The five classes of ties:
Very light duty - safe load in tension of 2.7kN
Light duty - safe load in tension of 3.5kN
Standard duty A - safe load in tension of 6.1kN
Standard duty B - safe load in tension of 9.1kN
Heavy duty - safe load in tension of 12.2kN
In general, tie tubes shall be connected to both the
outer and inner standards and ledgers. Ties shall be
evenly distributed over the scaffold both horizontally
and vertically. Normally the spacing of lines of ties
shall not be greater than 4.0 m vertically.
In cases where it is impracticable to open windows
for tube and coupling ties, the attachment of the
scaffold may be made by reveal ties which rely on
friction.
It is recommended that no more than 50% of ties
in each façade shall be reveal ties.
CM
14
Scaffold Returns
Returns of scaffolds, which are effectively tied
around the ends of building facades, shall be
regarded as providing an adequate attachment of
the scaffold at each lift equivalent to the standard tie
positioned at the end of the building façade.
Document no. STS/HSE/SWP-002
Issue-02, Revision-0
1st January, 2019
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CM
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The return scaffold shall have façade bracing and be
tied in accordance with this guide.
The ledgers of the return scaffold shall extend to
connect to both inside and outside ledgers of the
façade scaffold considered. Both façade and return
guardrails shall be connected to the
corner upright at every lift with right angle couplers.
However, any scaffolding elevations with a return
only at one end must be tied with a standard tie
arrangement.
15
Buttresses, rakers, ladder towers and loading bays
(very light duty)
The stability of a scaffold shall be achieved by means
other than anchorage ties fixed to the surface of the
building.
Fully braced buttresses, shall be regarded as
providing adequate stability for a single bay of the
scaffold on either side of the buttress.
Single unjointed raking tubes of up to 6 m in
length, fixed at alternate standards coupled at the
top of the ledger with a right-angle coupler at the
second lift, and tied back to the scaffold, shall be
considered as providing adequate stability for unclad
scaffolds up to 6 m high.
The raking tube shall be external to the scaffold or
fitted from the inside ledger at the top of the second
lift and at an angle of not more than 2 verticals to 1
horizontal. A structural transom shall be fitted at the
second lift within 300mm of each raker and shall
butt the building.
Ladder-access towers, loading bays or equivalent
fully braced towers can act as a buttress on
independent scaffolds up to 6 metres in height.
Document no. STS/HSE/SWP-002
Issue-02, Revision-0
1st January, 2019
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Process key steps
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CM
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Links
HLP
Decking
Any group of boards across the width of the scaffold
shall be of the same length, with all boards of the
same thickness.
38 mm thick boards shall be commonly used and
lengths shall be of up to 3.9 m. When these are used
and the recommended transom spacing is 1.2 m,
there shall be four transoms to each board, if the
recommended transom spacing is 900 mm, there
shall be five transoms.
Boards which are nominally 38 mm thick and less
than 2.13 m long shall not be used unless they are
securely fixed to prevent tipping.
Gaps in decking
Platforms with inside boards, for instance a 4+2
arrangement will nominally have a gap of 50mm
between the main platform and the inside boards.
Such a gap is acceptable in tube and fitting
scaffolding providing a proper risk assessment has
been made and, where necessary suitable measures
put in place to protect persons from injury.
Working platforms and decking
Platform use
Minimum clear width
225mm board
Working platform for men without materials
500mm
3 boards
Working platform for men and materials
800mm
4or 5 boards and up to 2 inside
boards
Clear passage for men past internal ladders or materials
430mm
2 boards clear passage
Clear passage for barrow past internal ladders or
materials
600mm
3 boards clear passage
Inside board at the main platform level
225mm
1 or 2 inside boards
Inside board offset from the platform level
450mm
2 inside boards
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1st January, 2019
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CM
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CM
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HLP
Guard rails.
Working platforms from which a person may fall
shall have a principal guard rail fixed to the outer
and end faces of the scaffold at a height of at least
950 mm above the level of the decking. An
intermediate guard rail is connected below the
principal rail so that the gap between the guard rails,
and the gap between the intermediate guard rail and
the toe board, shall not exceed 470 mm.
The guard rails are positioned inside the standards
and must be connected to each standard with a
right-angled coupler. It is permissible to attach an
end guard rail with a putlog coupler at the outer
standard; provided the end guard rail is fixed above
the longitudinal rail and the connection with the
inner standard is made with a right-angled coupler.
Toe boards.
Toe boards and end toe boards shall be suitably fixed
to all working platforms to prevent materials or
operatives slipping from a platform.
They shall be of suitable strength and be fixed in at
least two places, and of such a height that the gap
between the top of the toe board and the bottom
guard rail does not exceed 470 mm.
The minimum height of the toe board will be 150
mm and they must be placed inside the standards.
18
Independent tied scaffolds.
An independent scaffold shall consist of a double
row of standards, with each row parallel to the
building. The inner row is set as close to the building
as is practicable. The distance between the lines of
standards shall be the minimum necessary to
accommodate the required number of boards and
toe boards.
A variation may be adopted in which the row of
standards nearest to the building can be set back
from the building face. This means that one or two
of the boards of the platform can be laid between
the inside row of the standards and the building
face.
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1st January, 2019
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Links
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TG20 Compliance sheets will specify the maximum
height. The main factor in determining the maximum
height is the site location and wind loading for the
configuration.
The standards shall be connected with ledgers
parallel to the building and fixed with right angled
couplers. Transoms are then fixed to the ledgers
with putlog couplers to support the recommended
platform widths.
Sole boards and base plates shall be used under each
standard as recommended.
Independent load classes
Uniformly
distributed load on
platform
Load class
Duty
1
Very light
duty
0.75kN/m²
(inside board 0.75)
2
Light duty
1.50 kN/m²
(inside board 0.75)
3
General
purpose
2.00 kN/m²
(inside board 0.75)
4
Heavy duty
3.00 kN/m²
(inside board 0.75)
Maximum number
of loaded
platforms
One full
(0.75) and
one 50% (0.375)
One full
(1.50) and
one 50% (0.75)
One full
(2.00) and
one 50% (1.00)
One full
(3.00) and
one 50% (1.50)
Max bay
length
2.4m
1.2m
2.4m
1.2m
2.0m
1.2m
1.8m
0.900mm
CM
19
Max spacing of
board transoms
SUP
HSEA
SCA
HLP
Lift heights.
Maintain lift height for walk-through scaffolds as
2.0m with a head clearance of 1.9m.
Other lift heights are permissible, up to 3m in
compliance with TG20:13.
The first lift height can be a maximum of 2.7m, with
a minimum walkthrough of 2.44m head room.
Internal edge protection
The gap between the boarded platform and the
work face can usually be up to 225mm. This is
subject to risk assessment. If over 225mm then
suitable measures must be taken.
If the client requests that internal edge protection is
not installed, this must be recorded on the
scaffolding hand over certificate.
Document no. STS/HSE/SWP-002
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1st January, 2019
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Ledger bracing.
Ledger bracing shall be generally fixed to alternate
pairs of standards and at the end pairs. Ledger
bracing for access must be connected from top
guardrail to inside ledger with rights angled couplers
at each standard. This will allow the scaffold to be
erected to a total overall height of 16m in unclad
scaffolds.
21
Access and Egress.
Access and egress to and from scaffolding shall be
considered using the following hierarchy of access:
1 Staircase
2 Ladder access towers with single lift ladders
3 Ladder access towers with multiple lift ladders
4 Internal ladder access
5 External ladder access
Every sloping ladder shall stand on a firm and level
base and be supported only by the stiles. Where
practicable, it shall be set at an angle of 4 vertical to
1 horizontal.
Ladders used for access shall be long enough to
protrude sufficiently above the landing place,
preferably projecting at least 1m above the top
landing place with the landing rung level with or
slightly above the level of the landing platform.
If this is not possible then other measures to ensure
a firm handhold shall be provided.
Ladders must not be extended by lashing two
lengths together.
The vertical distance between two successive
landing places shall not exceed 9.0m.
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1st January, 2019
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Landing places shall be provided, where necessary in
accordance with any risk assessment requirements,
and allow for access holes for the user which shall be
at least 450mm in width measured across the
platform, as small as practicable in the other
direction, but not less than 600mm long.
Trap door, gates shall be installed as shown in the
attached figure.
22
CM
SUP
SUP
SCA
HLP
CM
SUP
SUP
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Gin wheels
Gin wheel shall be used to raise materials to the
necessary working height.
The tube supporting the gin wheel shall be fixed
either to two standards which have been braced,
e.g. a ledger braced pair of standards in an
independent tied scaffold, or, in the case of a putlog
scaffold, to one standard and braced back to the
ledger or putlog tube at mature brickwork level.
In the case of an independent tied scaffold, where a
joint occurs on the inside standard, between the
supporting tube and the working platform level. This
joint shall be made with a sleeve coupler, if a joint
pin is used this joint must be spliced.
Suspension point of the gin wheel on the supporting
tube shall not be more than 750 mm beyond its
outer support point.
Ring type gin wheels are to be preferred, i.e. gin
wheels with swivel eye fitments to slide over the
supporting tube and which can be held in position by
right-angled couplers either side of the ring.
23
TG20 compliant free-standing towers
The following types of towers are approved.
Internal towers
External towers
Tied towers
Lift shaft towers
TG
-20
Determine the maximum heights by base dimensions
(see chart below)
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1st January, 2019
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The ledgers and end transoms must be connected to
the standards with right angled couplers.
Board bearing transoms may be connected with
putlog couplers.
The guardrails must be fixed to the standards with
right angled couplers.
The tower shall be braced on all four sides.
Alternate lifts shall be braced, including under the
top lift.
Bracing on internal towers shall be within 300mm of
node point.
Bracing on external towers shall be within 100mm of
node point.
The lift heights shall not exceed 2.0m.
The user shall not subject a tower to any significant
horizontal forces, which might cause overturning.
Gin wheels may be used to lift a maximum load of
50KG if the wheel does not project more than
750mm from the tower.
Tower load classes
Maximum heights for:
Load class
Maximum loading
Maximum base dimensions
1
2
3
Lift shaft
0.75kN/m²
1.5kN/m²
2.0kN/m²
0.75kN/m²
2.7m x 2.7m
2.1m x 2.1m
1.8m x 1.8m
2.7m x 2.7m
Interior tower
4 x SBD
10.8m
8.4m
7.2m
34m
Exterior tower
3 x SBD
8.0m
6.3m
5.4m
N/A
CM
24
SUP
Protection against falling objects
SUP
SCA
HLP
Dropped
Object
Procedure
Where there is a danger of tools, materials, or
equipment falling from a scaffold and striking
employees below, the following provisions apply:
DOP
The area below the scaffold to which objects can fall
shall be barricaded, and employees shall not be
permitted to enter the area.
A toe board shall be erected along the edge of
platforms.
Where tools, materials, or equipment are piled to a
height higher than the top edge of the toe board,
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1st January, 2019
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paneling or screening extending from the toe board
or platform to the top of the guardrail shall be
erected for a distance sufficient to protect
employees below.
Tools and materials shall be placed in a container or
tied to the scaffold.
A guardrail system shall be installed with openings
small enough to prevent passage of potential falling
objects.
A canopy structure, debris net, or catch platform
strong enough to withstand the impact forces of the
potential falling objects shall be erected.
25
Scaffold inspection
Each scaffold shall be inspected by a competent
person prior to use for the first time and thereafter
once every week and recorded promptly. Scaffolding
shall be re-inspected and tagged whenever
modified/altered/extended. Scaffold tag shall be
displayed on the scaffold to denote whether the
scaffold has been inspected and is valid or invalid.
A “GREEN” scaffold tag indicates the scaffold is
complete and safe to use
A “RED” scaffold tag indicates the scaffold is not
complete and is NOT to be used.
If there is no scaffold tag then the scaffold is in some
way defective or incomplete. being erected,
modified or dismantled and can only be accessed by
those involved with the process and can NOT be
used by others.
Periodic inspections (minimum weekly) shall be
performed by the designated competent person to
assure the scaffold is safe and all appropriate tags
are present.
Scaffold planks shall be inspected and tested upon
receipt prior to use.
Scaffold planks when loaded shall not deflect more
than 1/60th the length between bearers.
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Issue-02, Revision-0
1st January, 2019
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Fire-retardant treated lumber shall be inspected to
have a weight capacity rating 80-85 percent of
untreated lumber.
Scaffold tubes must be checked to ensure that they
are straight, free from bents, cracks, splits, deep
dents and excessive corrosion and cut square and
clean at each end.
Scaffolds shall be inspected after every occurrence
of bad weather.
CM
26
Using scaffolds
Scaffolds and components shall not be loaded in
excess of their maximum intended loads or rated
capacities, whichever is less.
Any part of a scaffold damaged or weakened such
that its strength is less than required, shall be
immediately repaired or replaced, braced to meet
the requirements, or removed from service until
repaired.
Scaffolds shall not be moved horizontally while
employees are on them.
Scaffolds shall not be erected, used, dismantled,
altered, or moved such that they or any conductive
material handled on them might come closer to
exposed and energized power lines than 10
feet/3.1m from a line voltage of less than 50kV and
10 feet/3.1m from a line voltage of more than 50kV.
Where swinging loads are being hoisted onto or near
scaffolds such that the loads might contact the
scaffold, tag lines or equivalent measures to control
the loads shall be used.
Work on or from the scaffolds is prohibited during
storms or high winds unless a competent person has
determined that it is safe for employees to be on the
scaffold
Debris shall not be allowed to accumulate on
platforms.
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1st January, 2019
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Makeshift devices, such as but not limited to boxes
and barrels, shall not be used on top of scaffold
platforms to increase the working level height of
employees. Ladders may be used after properly
fixing it with the structure and approved by
Competent person.
In addition to a work lead attachment required by
the welding process, a grounding conductor shall be
connected from the scaffold to the structure. The
size of this conductor shall be at least the size of the
welding process work lead and this conductor shall
not be in series with the welding process or the work
piece.
If the scaffold grounding lead is disconnected at any
time, the welding machine shall be shut off.
An active welding rod or uninsulated welding lead
shall not be allowed to contact the scaffold or its
suspension system.
Working at
Height
Procedure
Lifelines- Fall protection.
Horizontal and vertical lifelines shall be made from
10 mm (3/8-inch) min. diameter wire rope. Other
materials such as manila, nylon, or polypropylene
rope shall not be used as a lifeline.
WAH
When horizontal lifelines are used, they shall be
secured to two or more structural members of the
scaffold, or they may be looped around both
suspension and independent suspension lines (on
scaffolds so equipped) above the hoist and brake
attached to the end of the scaffold. Horizontal
lifelines shall not be attached only to the suspension
ropes.
When vertical lifelines are used, they shall be
fastened to a fixed safe point of anchorage, shall be
independent of the scaffold, and shall be protected
from sharp edges and abrasion.
Full body harnesses (including D-rings), lanyards
(including snap-hooks), lifelines, and other
components of personal fall arrest systems shall be
rated and labeled for a capacity of at least 2,300
kilograms (5,000 pounds) by the manufacturer.
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1st January, 2019
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Dismantling of scaffolds.
Approved method statement shall be followed.
During dismantling, no component shall be removed
which endangers the stability of the remaining
structure.
Dismantling crew shall be trained for the job and
manual handling process of dismantled components
from higher levels to ground shall be established.
If dismantling has reached the stage at which a
critical member has to be removed, e.g. a tie or a
brace, the stability of the structure shall be assured
by fixing a similar or otherwise adequate member in
place, lower down, before the critical member is
removed.
Because of the changes which are made in a scaffold
structure during its working life, it is not safe to
assume that dismantling can be carried out in the
reverse order to the erection. The scaffold,
especially its tying and bracing shall be inspected
prior to dismantling.
The procedure of dismantling shall be orderly and
planned and shall proceed generally from the top in
horizontal sections.
Scaffolds shall not be dismantled in vertical sections
from one end towards the other.
These precautions shall be observed.
(a) DO NOT remove all the ties.
(b) DO NOT remove the entire bracing first.
(c) DO NOT remove all the intermediate and board
end transoms.
(d) DO NOT remove all the guard rails.
An access scaffold may have been temporarily
stabilized during construction by rakers that
subsequently have been removed. If the level of the
lowest tie point is high, e.g. over entrance halls or
above tall shop windows, temporary rakers or other
structurally adequate means of support shall be built
up from the ground to achieve stability of the partdismantled scaffold.
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1st January, 2019
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Manual handling procedure shall be followed for
movement of scaffold components safely from
higher lifts to the ground. Communication protocols
shall be followed during inter-lift passing of
components (e.g. shouting “safe” after getting
proper hold).
A vertical line shall be followed for transferring
materials to lower levels and an area 1.5 sft.
surrounding this line shall be considered “line of
fire”.
CM- Construction Manager, SUP- Supervisor, HSEA-HSE Advisor, SCA- Scaffolder, HLP- Helper
Document no. STS/HSE/SWP-002
Issue-02, Revision-0
1st January, 2019
Page 24 of 24