Working at height (Fall Protection Scaffolds)

1. Purpose
Falls from height are the most common kind of accident causing fatal
injuries at the workplace.
To familiarize safety requirements & the compliance of guidelines before
erecting, usage, or dismantling the scaffoldings for reducing the risks

2. Definition:
1. Pakistan Factories Act 1934
An area where a worker can fall (a distance exceeding 2.2 meters)
which includes:
Floor/Roof Edges & Openings
Stairways Ramps & Bridges

Platforms

2. OSHA
A place is at height if a person could be injured falling from it
(irrespective of distance)

3. Scope
In construction industry numerous falls take place in conjunction with
ladders and scaffolding. It therefore is of major importance that
contractors, designers and their employees make efforts at a very early
stage a project in order to use access equipment

4. Type of Scaffolding

Adjustable
Fixed
Mobile

5. Safety
Prior to erection Contractor must ensure that site where scaffolding is to
be erected is physically inspected to determine the
ground conditions
strength of structure
electrical power lines
overhead conditions/obstruction
relevant P.P.E s
weather protection (in open environment)
Contractor or Safety Coordinator has checked & verified the
quality of equipments to be used
Wooden planks are fit for use, good condition, straight & no saw
cuts or holes

During Erection Contractor must ensure that

Erection is carried out under the supervision of a qualified person
All concern must wear safety helmet
Mud Sills must be of adequate size to distribute the load on
scaffolding (or soil)
Sills should be level & in full contact with the surface
Special care is required whenever it is to be erected on soft soil
or ground
Base plates or screw jacks must be in firm contact with the legs
of scaffolding
Uneven surface should not be levelled with small pieces block or
broken bricks or unstable objects
Examine the level of scaffolding until connections are made
safely
Ties, bracings etc should ensure safe & stable assembly
For stable bracing following is suggested but a qualified expert
Engineer can modify as per situation
Scaffolding is secure if the height exceeds 4 times than the
surface base width
Bottom tie must be placed not higher than 4 times the minimum
base width & every 26 feet vertically thereafter
Work Platforms must be planked completely
Extended planks should be guard/railed to avoid walking
Load on planks should be evenly distributed & should not exceed
allowable load
As much as possible more than one person should not stand on
individual planks
Planks or platforms should be secured with scaffolding in such
away that could prevent its uplifting because of wind storm
Guard Rails should be used on open sides at least on top & mid
rail
Toe boards are required if someone has to work or pass
underneath or around
Access must be provided to all work platforms
Side & end brackets are meant for personnel & should not be
used for material storage

6. Rolling Scaffold

Total weight of tower should not exceed the capacity of the

caster
Bracing (diagonal /horizontal) must be used at the bottom
intermediate & top of the tower
All frames must be cross-braced
Only prefabricated or clear up planks should be used
Caster must be locked all times if not required to move

It has been assembled correctly

Its level, plumb, & base plates are firm
Bracing is in place & connected

7. DO

8. Donts

Platforms are properly planked

Guard rails are in place
Safe access is available
There are no over head obstructions
No electrical lines are above the scaffolding
If line can not be avoided than lines should be more than 6 feet
high
Use only safe & authorize means of access
Climb safely & steadily
Face the rungs while climbing / stepping down
Use both hands
Put firm foot on steps
Balance your body while moving to next step
Keep one hand always on frame or ladder
Avoid slipping
Discard over loading
Temporary removal should be replaced immediately (if
scaffolding is required )
Lock all caster while getting on rolling scaffolding
Move rolling scaffolding from the base level should not be pulled
or dragged from the top.

Climb bracing or frames

Carry material while climbing
Tease or hang in funny style
Isolate any portion of unit
Bridge two rolling towers with wooden planks
There should be no person on the tower when rolling scaffolding is
being shifted